Plan B Forum

Medicine for minor ailments will be available free from High-Street chemists under a Welsh government scheme.

It is intended to free up GPs' time by making community pharmacists the first port of call.

Cures for things like indigestion, hay fever and head lice could be dispensed without needing a doctor's prescription.

Pharmacists will give advice or refer people to the GP if necessary.

The Welsh government said up to 40% of GPs' time was spent dealing with patients suffering from minor ailments.

People will need to register with their local pharmacy to take part.

The service - which will not require an appointment - is due to start within 12 months and will be extended across Wales next year.

The government is aiming to have 500,000 signed up within five years.

Based on a similar scheme in Scotland, it expects people to get around two items a year.

Minor ailments

Conditions that could be treated under the Welsh government scheme, and which pharmacists are already trained to deal with, include:

Constipation
Indigestion
Hay fever
Coughs
Sore throats
Athlete's foot
Thrush
Head lice
Diarrhoea
Warts
Verrucas

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-17284958