A segment explaining how people can save money on their medical expenses has angered This Morning viewers.
The ITV show's hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were accused of "telling peasants how to live from their ivory towers" as they had a chat with two health professionals earlier today, following the news pharmacists will now be able to prescribe medicines and oral contraception directly to ease the pressure on GPs’ appointments.
Dr Nighat Arif and pharmacist Thorrun Govind joined Phil and Holly on This Morning to discuss the new blueprint, in addition to advising viewers how to save money on their medication and discuss how many parents have been forced to steal Calpol amid the cost of living crisis.
As Holly brought up the shocking fact many can't afford medication for their babies, Dr Nighat and Thorrun reminded viewers you can see a doctor and get a prescription for Calpol if you are experiencing financial difficulties.
The health experts continued to explain how own-brand products are often cheaper and urged viewers to consider them when buying things like paracetamol.
Although intended to be a helpful and informative chat, many tuned in to This Morning today took issue with the segment – particularly Phil and Holly's involvement.
"Two rich doctors and two overpaid TV presenters telling us that own brands could be cheaper…. How patronising," one unimpressed viewer fumed on Twitter as the show aired.
"#thismorning four millionaires showing us how to save 20p .thanks," another raged, with a third adding: "Phil and Holly don't care. They're private! #ThisMorning."
Another quipped: "The irony of Holly and Phil sat in their ivory towers telling us peasants to get the own brands, yes your lordships x #thismorning."
Some viewers instead aimed their frustration at the government, with one tweeting: "You know the country is in the sh***er when parents are stealing calpol. F**king disgrace. #ThisMorning."
Another added: "Remember, if you see someone stealing Calpol or nappies, no you didn't."
Today's divisive This Morning segment follows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announcing plans that will see treatments for seven common conditions including earache, sore throat and urinary tract infections become available to people without seeing a doctor.
Mr Sunak hopes the plans will help the GP crisis sweeping the nation currently, but many feel the Prime Minister's latest gesture isn't enough to tackle the damage done to the NHS since the Conservative Party came into power in 2010.
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: "Expecting the Conservatives to fix this is like expecting an arsonist to put out the fire they started.
" Rishi Sunak is completely out of touch with the problems facing patients and the NHS. He has no plan to address the shortage of GPs, or to reverse the cut in the number of doctors trained every year. The Conservatives’ announcement is merely tinkering at edges, in contrast to the fundamental reform the NHS needs and Labour is offering.
"Labour will abolish the non-dom tax status to train an extra 7,500 doctors and 10,000 nurses every year, so patients are seen on time again."
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX
