Pharmacy could save the NHS millions of pounds and improve care for infants with reflux, colic and constipation by becoming the first port-of-call for concerned parents, new research suggests.

Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are experienced by 50 per cent of infants before six months of age and can cause distress for both the infant and parents, increased medical consultations, over-prescribing and use of over-the-counter medication, resulting in escalating healthcare costs.

Published in the British Medical Journal Open, the study found that England spends around £72.3 million a year managing infant functional GI disorders, £13.6 million of which is wasted on OTC colic medicines, which are not recommended in guidelines and have no proven effect.

The study concluded that a combination of better adherence to existing guidelines and responding to parental distress with more effective reassurance and advice on nutrition and practical approaches, rather than medication, could be the key to helping parents and reducing costs.

Pharmacist Bhupinder Malhi said: “The overall cost figures are astounding. Pharmacists can save the NHS at least £6 million overnight by reducing GP consultations for reflux, colic and constipation prescriptions, by positioning ourselves as the first port-of-call for parents and offering excellent reassuring advice, and a range of management solutions for parents. I also believe we know when parents do require medical advice and will happily refer to a GP if and when it is required.”