The NHS Patient Charter – You & Your General Practice

Pharmacy First

Pharmacy First – a new service for patients with your local pharmacy

The new Pharmacy First scheme means you can go and see a pharmacist about several minor illnesses and conditions you would previously have had to see your GP about. You can visit your pharmacist for a consultation and they will treat you and prescribe medication if necessary. If your condition is more serious you will be referred to a GP or hospital.

What conditions can you see your pharmacist about?

Under Pharmacy First, pharmacists can treat and prescribe medication for seven conditions. These are the conditions, and at what age, you can see the pharmacist about:

• Earache – 1 to 17 years.
• Impetigo – 1 year and over.
• Infected insect bites – 1 year and over.
• Shingles – 18 years and over.
• Sinusitis – 12 years and over.
• Sore throat – 5 years and over.
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections – women 16-64 years.

Anyone not within these age ranges should see their GP.

There are many existing conditions which you have already been able to see your pharmacist about. These include:

• Aches and pains – such as, back pain, headache and period pain.
• Accidents – such as, sprains, minor cuts, and grazes
• Colds, flu and other infections – such as, cough, congestion, fevers and/or temperature.
• Ear care – such as, ear wax.
• Eye care – such as, conjunctivitis, styes.
• Hay fever – which is not controlled by standard over-the-counter treatments.
• Rashes.
• Skin problems – such as, athlete’s foot, cold sores, or mild eczema or psoriasis.
• Stomach aches – such as, constipation, diarrhoea, or indigestion.

How to see your pharmacist

More than 10,000 pharmacies across the UK are part of the scheme – that’s more than 9 out of every 10. Generally, you can just walk in to your closest or preferred one and ask for an appointment – or they will see you straightaway if there is availability. If you’d prefer, you can call and ask for a video consultation with the pharmacist.

You may also be referred to a pharmacy appointment from:

• NHS 111 – online, telephone and the NHS App.
• Integrated urgent care clinical assessment services.
• Urgent treatment centres.
• A&E.
• 999.
• Your GP.

To find out your nearest pharmacy and check if it is part of the scheme go to NHS pharmacy finder or just walk in.