What is Pharmacy First?
The NHS has launched a major transformation to try and make it easier for patients to access the care they need. The new Pharmacy First scheme enables your local pharmacy to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP. Find out everything you need to know.
What can the Pharmacy First scheme do for me?
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.
What can Pharmacy First treat?
Your local pharmacy can now supply prescription-only treatment, if they believe you need it, for the following conditions:
| Medical issue | Description | Eligibility | Common symptoms |
| Uncomplicated UTI | Urinary tract infection | Women 16-64 years | Burning/stinging when urinating, blood in urine, Cloudy/smelly pee, Urge to urine at night, Lower stomach ache, Urgent need to urine |
| Shingles | Viral skin infection | 18 years and over | Tingling blisters that turn sore, ‘Burning’ pain, Itchy red patches that have appeared in the last 3-7 days |
| Impetigo | Bacterial skin infection | 1 year and over | Patchy blisters, yellowish and crusty, on face, mouth and elsewhere, refer small patches only (2cm or smaller) |
| Infected insect bites | 1 year and over | Getting progressively worse after 2 days, Pain or tenderness of area, Hot and swelling, Redness spreading on skin around, Puss discharging | |
| Acute sore throat | Tonsillitis/ Pharyngitis | 5 years and over | Sore Throat, High Temperature / fever <24 hours, Severe tonsillar inflammation, discharging pus, Headache, Nausea, Runny nose |
| Acute sinusitis | Nasal pressure/ pain | 12 years and over | Nasal blockage, Nasal discharge, symptoms for over 10 days, Facial pressure that is painful, Loss of smell (adults only), Cough during day (and night for children), Marked deterioration, Fever over 38 degrees, nasal discharge contains pus, Severe localised unilateral pain – particularly toothache or in jaw |
| Acute otitis media * | Children’s earaches | 1 to 17 years | Ear ache (in older children), Tugging on or holding ear (in younger children), non-specific symptoms (fever, crying, poor feeding, restlessness, behavioural changes, cough or rhinorrhoea), Pain not adequately controlled with regular dosage of (OTC) paracetamol/ ibuprofen |
*Distance selling pharmacies will not complete consultations for acute otitis media
If you are not eligible for Pharmacy First (e.g. you are not within the age range), a pharmacist can still offer advice, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.
How does Pharmacy First work?
If you are feeling unwell with any of these conditions, you can go to your local participating pharmacy and ask for a private consultation with the pharmacist.
You may also be referred by a GP practice if they believe your pharmacy can help. The 111 helpline service may also refer you. Pharmacists can also offer this service on-the-spot if you go in asking generally for help.
Pharmacists may offer you a consultation in a private room at the pharmacy or a virtual consultation by phone or video call. They will ask questions, may perform an examination and must get your consent to access your medical records. The pharmacist will be able to recommend the best course of action based on your clinical needs. This might include issuing prescriptions for antibiotics or antivirals where necessary or advising you on over-the-counter treatments that could help.
Find a pharmacy near you
The NHS has a service finder where you can find a pharmacy near you. Find my nearest pharmacy.
What are the benefits of the scheme?
There are many benefits to the new scheme, helping to make care easier and more accessible. These benefits include:
- Participating pharmacies must offer the service during all their opening hours including any late nights or weekends.
- It may be quicker to see your pharmacist than waiting for an appointment with your GP.
- Pharmacy First – along with expanded Blood Pressure Check and Oral Contraception services at pharmacies – could free up to 10 million GP appointments a year.
How can my pharmacist supply a prescription-only medicine if they are not a doctor?
Pharmacists must follow a strict NHS protocol (called a ‘patient group direction’) covering their own required knowledge and skills the types of patients covered. This means that the supply of prescription-only medicines will be limited in all cases by age groups, and in one case, by gender.
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.
How do I know if my local pharmacy is participating?
Most pharmacies have agreed in principle to deliver the new service but may launch at different times, from 31 January 2024 onwards. They may need to train staff, upgrade IT and install a private consultation room.
Can I get oral contraception without a prescription?
From December 2023, some pharmacies will be able to start women on oral contraception (also known as ‘the Pill’) for the first time, or re-start them after a break, without the person needing to see their GP first. This is an extension of the existing oral contraception service that let women go to pharmacies for repeat prescriptions, that had been initiated first by a GP.
The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation to discuss your current medication and ensure it is the best option for your needs.
Oral contraception is free on the NHS, and you will not be charged any prescription charges.
To find a local pharmacy offering this service – check out the NHS website.
Can I still see my GP?
You can still choose to visit your GP if you prefer. Pharmacy First simply offers an alternative route for getting treatment for these specific conditions.