They are particularly helpful for those who may need guidance on what treatments are available over-the-counter now that restrictions on prescribing have been introduced and GPs have been asked not to routinely prescribe certain items When you decide that the most appropriate action is to recommend self care, you can issue a recommendation for a suitable OTC product. The patient can then choose to purchase this from a pharmacy or other retailer. This method has already been used successfully in health systems including those in Germany and Northern Ireland. In Germany, for instance, recommendation prescriptions have been shown to reduce dependence on primary care services since most people remember the recommendation and choose to self care the next time they experience the same symptoms. Recommendation prescriptions can also play a role in social prescribing, acting as physical reminders of the activity prescribed, or as notes of referral to link workers or signposting to connect people to wider community support.