NHS doctor explains real reason GPs don't prescribe paracetamol

NHS doctor explains real reason GPs don't prescribe paracetamolAn NHS doctor has explained the real reason your GP won't write a prescription for common painkillers like paracetamol - and it's not because they're being 'difficult'CommentsNewsZahna Eklund Senior Social News Reporter14:39, 03 Apr 2026View ImageThe doctor shared the real reason they rarely prescribe paracetamol (stock photo)(Image: Focus Pixel Art via Getty Images)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".‌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.Content cannot be displayed without consent‌She 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 £...