ST HELENS Clinical Commission Group (CCG) has appealed to members of the public to not stockpile medicine.

Across the country there have been reports of pharmacies being flooded with orders amid the coronavirus lockdown.

In St Helens, community pharmacies are dispensing more than they would in a normal week and people are requesting their prescriptions earlier than usual, according to the CCG.

In particular, there is more demand for inhalers. Pharmacies have also had lots of requests for medicines such as paracetamol via the Care at the Chemist scheme.

In light of this, St Helens CCG has urged members of the public to continue to order prescriptions as usual.

A St Helens CCG spokesman said: “We are making a plea to all patients in St Helens to not over order repeat prescriptions and to continue to order as you normally would.

“Your GP will not be able to increase the quantity of medication you would normally get and by over ordering or stockpiling medicines you don’t immediately need you could be preventing other patients from accessing the medicines they do need from their local GP practice and pharmacy.

“We know that we are facing uncertain times which is making a lot of people nervous and anxious, however, we must remember we are all in this together and we will get through it but only if we are sensible and support our local community and work together.”