It can be irritating when doctors appear to brush off your symptoms and advise you to purchase an over-the-counter remedy rather than writing you a prescription - but it turns out there's a very sound reason behind this approach.

Occasionally, when you visit your GP, the most appropriate course of action is for them to direct you to your nearest chemist to collect common medications such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, or mild steroid creams. NHS GPs appear to seldom prescribe these treatments to patients, which can feel "harsh" or "dismissive".

However, one NHS doctor on social media has revealed precisely why GPs typically avoid prescribing these medicines - and it has nothing to do with them being "difficult".

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Doctor Bhasha Mukherjee, an NHS GP working in London, posted a video on Instagram acknowledging that it can feel "rude" when doctors instruct you to purchase your treatment over-the-counter rather than providing you with a prescription.

But the straightforward explanation for this practice boils down to cost. She revealed that prescribing a patient paracetamol can cost the NHS more than £10 for the identical box of tablets that you can purchase from a chemist yourself for under £1.

She explained: "Many medications - like paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, and mild steroid creams - cost the NHS significantly more when prescribed than when bought privately.

"A box of paracetamol costs less than £1 in the pharmacy... but the same prescription costs the NHS over £10 once you factor in admin, processing, and dispensing fees. Multiply that by thousands of prescriptions, and you're looking at millions in lost resources - money that could be spent on complex care, mental health, or community services."

Dr Mukherjee emphasised "GPs aren't being difficult", but they have a duty to use NHS funds responsibly and "preserve access to care for those who truly need it".

This means they occasionally have no option but to direct patients towards over-the-counter alternatives when they're accessible.

She continued: "Of course, there are exceptions - financial hardship, complex needs, safeguarding concerns. But when appropriate, signposting to OTC [over-the-counter] options isn't cruelty. It's common-sense stewardship in a broken system.

"The NHS can't do everything for everyone - and we're all feeling the cracks."

Who can and cannot take paracetamol for adults

According to the NHS, most people aged 16 and over can take paracetamol, and it is safe to take if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Paracetamol is not suitable for some people, however, and you should tell your doctor if you:

• Have ever had an allergic reaction to paracetamol or any other medicine


• Have liver or kidney problems


• Regularly drink more than the maximum amount of alcohol recommended (14 units a week)

If you weigh less than 50kg (8 stone), check with your doctor or pharmacist. You may need to take a lower dose.

How and when to take paracetamol

The most common forms of paracetamol are capsules or tablets. Most contain 500mg each, with the standard adult dose being either 500mg or 1g - requiring one to two tablets per dose.

The NHS states: "Adults can take two 500mg tablets, 4 times in 24 hours. You must wait at least 4 hours between doses. The maximum is eight 500mg tablets in 24 hours. If you're taking 1g tablets, do not take more than four in 24 hours."

If you exceed the recommended paracetamol dose, you must ring 111 straight away for advice - even if you feel fine.

For more information on paracetamol for adults, visit the NHS website.