Pharmacy First – Getting NHS Care from Your Local Pharmacy

What is Pharmacy First?

Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows patients to receive advice, assessment and, where appropriate, NHS-funded treatment for several common health conditions directly from a community pharmacy, without needing to see a GP first. The service is designed to provide quicker access to care and help free up GP appointments for patients with more complex needs. 

Many pharmacies can now assess and treat patients for:

• Sinusitis (12 years and over)

• Sore throat (5 years and over)

• Earache (1–17 years)

• Infected insect bites (1 year and over)

• Impetigo (1 year and over)

• Shingles (18 years and over)

• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16–64 years)

If appropriate, the pharmacist may supply NHS-funded medicines, including some prescription-only medicines, under nationally approved clinical protocols.

Benefits of Pharmacy First

• No GP appointment needed for many common conditions

• Convenient access, including evenings and weekends at many pharmacies

• Expert clinical advice from highly trained pharmacists

• Faster treatment when needed

• Helps reduce pressure on GP practices and urgent care services

How do I access the service?

You can:

• Walk into a participating pharmacy

• Be referred by your GP practice

• Be referred by NHS 111

• Be referred by other NHS healthcare services

The pharmacist will assess your symptoms and advise on the most appropriate treatment or refer you to another healthcare professional if required. 

How Pharmacy First is Developing from October 2026

The NHS is continuing to expand the role of community pharmacies to improve patient access to care.

From autumn 2026, pharmacist independent prescribing will be introduced as an extension of Pharmacy First. This means that suitably qualified pharmacist prescribers will be able to prescribe medicines directly as part of certain Pharmacy First consultations, without patients needing a separate prescription from a GP.

What will this mean for patients?

Patients can expect:

• More conditions to be managed entirely within the pharmacy

• Faster access to treatment

• Fewer referrals back to GP practices for routine prescribing

• Improved continuity of care for common illnesses

The 2026/27 NHS community pharmacy contract also includes plans for:

• New prescribing pathways within Pharmacy First

• Greater use of pharmacist independent prescribers

• Further investment in community pharmacy clinical services

• Enhanced digital systems to support patient care and information sharing across the NHS. 

Looking Ahead

Pharmacy First is becoming an increasingly important part of NHS primary care. The developments planned for autumn 2026 will enable community pharmacies to provide a broader range of clinical services, helping patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. 

Remember: If you have a common minor illness, your local pharmacy may be the quickest place to get expert NHS advice and treatment.