article_snippet: Health bosses in Wales Wales are urging patients to buy simple painkillers, laxatives and hayfever treatments rather than relying on free prescriptions .
article_snippet: Hundreds of thousands of people who live in Wales Wales were yesterday urged not to ask Hundreds of thousands of people who live in north Wales GP to prescribe a range of medicines for minor complaints, such as painkillers, laxatives and hay fever treatments.
article_snippet: Instead, patients are encouraged to 'self-care' and 'purchase some of the simple and inexpensive products over the counter for the treatment of minor ailments'.
article_snippet: Yesterday Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which covers much of north Wales, urged people no longer to ask people GP to be prescribed medicines their GP could buy over the counter at their GP local pharmacy.
article_snippet: Betsi Cadwaladr has asked GPs to reduce 'unnecessary prescribing of simple medications', including painkillers, laxatives, vitamins, hayfever and head lice treatments.
article_snippet: hayfever and head lice treatments say patients can purchase these drugs at a 'minimum cost', often more cheaply than it would cost the NHS to supply the drugs.
article_snippet: Dr Berwyn Owen, clinical director of pharmacy and medicines management, said: 'Many of these [over-the-counter] products can be purchased at a minimum cost and often much more cheaply than it would cost the NHS. '
article_snippet: We can make savings through encouraging patients to 'self-care' and to purchase some of the simple and inexpensive products over the counter for the treatment of minor ailments.'
article_snippet: He added that community pharmacists are highly trained and are in 'an ideal position to assist with 'self care', and offer advice on the most appropriate product for patients.
article_snippet: community pharmacists are highly trained and are in 'an ideal position to assist with 'self care', and offer advice on the most appropriate product for patients say patients can purchase these drugs at a 'minimum cost', often more cheaply than it would cost the NHS to supply the drugs.
article_snippet: Dr Owen added that The board have asked GPs in the area to reduce unnecessary prescribing of these simple medications. '
article_snippet: However, be reassured that if your GP considers it essential that you take the medication for your condition, your condition will be prescribed to you,' Dr Owen said. '
article_snippet: This will not only free up your GPGP's time, but will also reduce waste through the prescribing of additional quantities for use on a future basis or 'just in case'.
article_snippet: However, it is also reassuring that in some situations the doctor can still prescribe these medicines on the NHS.'
highlights_snippet: Betsi Cadwaladr health board urge patients to buy over the counter drugs .
  
highlights_snippet: But health bosses say patients can buy drugs at a 'minimum cost', often more cheaply than it would cost the NHS to supply the medication .
  
highlights_snippet: Drugs include simple painkillers, laxatives, and hayfever treatments .