What is Pharmacy First?
Pharmacy First is a new NHS service launched on 31 January 2024. It allows you to get treatment for certain common conditions directly from a pharmacy, without needing a GP appointment.
This service:
- Builds on the existing NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service
- Enables pharmacies to provide care for 7 common conditions
- Aims to make healthcare more accessible and convenient
- Helps free up GP appointments for those who need them most
The Pharmacy First Scheme means that patients across England can now get prescription-only treatment for seven common conditions at their local high street pharmacy, without needing to see a GP.
This can include prescribing and supplying antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate.
Benefits of Pharmacy First
- Quicker access to healthcare for common conditions
- More convenient than booking a GP appointment
- Reduces waiting times for GP services
- Provides safe and high-quality care from trained professionals
- Addresses health issues before they potentially worsen
- Allows pharmacists to supply certain prescription medications directly
Remember, pharmacies also offer support with:
- Healthy eating and exercise advice
- Smoking cessation
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Contraception
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
What can Pharmacy First treat?
Your local pharmacy can now supply prescription-only treatment, if they believe you need it, for the following conditions:
- Sinusitis (for patients aged 12 years and over only)
- Sore throat (aged 5+)
- Earache (aged 1 year-17)
- Infected insect bite (aged 1 year+)
- Impetigo (aged 18 years+)
- Shingles (aged 18 years+)
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16 to 64)
Additional Pharmacy Services
In addition to the Pharmacy First service, pharmacists can also provide advice and treatment for many other minor ailments, including:
- Athlete's foot
- Back pain
- Constipation (age >12)
- Contact dermatitis
- Diarrhoea
- Dyspepsia and indigestion
- Earache
- Fever/Headache
- Haemorrhoids
- Hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and allergies
- Head lice
- Nappy rash
- Ringworm
- Teething
- Threadworm
- Vaginal thrush
- Warts and verrucas
For these conditions, you can visit your local pharmacy for advice and over-the-counter treatments. If prescription medication is required, you may still need to see a GP.
https://youtu.be/A5xwHfw4Ybk?si=TIZslEGU2j_L1hHX
How to Access Pharmacy First
You can access Pharmacy First services by visiting or contacting your local pharmacy
Will I have to pay for my advice or medication?
- The appointment and advice from a pharmacist are free to access.
- If you are recommended an over-the-counter medication, you will pay the costs of buying this.
- If you are supplied with a prescription-only medication, usual prescription charges would apply unless you qualify for free prescriptions.
- If you regularly require medication and are not exempt from prescription charges, you may be able to save money through a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). Find out what help you can get to pay for your prescriptions.
