Patients across England will visit local pharmacies for immediate treatment of 12 everyday health conditions this autumn, bypassing traditional general practice appointments under an expanded NHS scheme. According to NHS England, the Pharmacy First programme adds five new ailments—including low-frequency migraines and adult ear infections—to the seven conditions already covered, as health services seek to relieve mounting pressure on general practices and emergency departments following record-breaking summer demand.
Five New Conditions Added to Pharmacy First Scheme
The expanded service covers five additional areas: low-frequency episodic migraines in adults, seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) in children, acute outer ear infections in adults, mild to moderate acne in young people and adults, and mild skin infections and scabies, according to NHS England. These new pathways join sore throats, sinusitis, earache, insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections, which pharmacists already treat. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that families would gain back precious time, noting that people are fed up with the scramble for routine appointments and want accessible care without taking time off work.
Rollout Plans and Access Across England
NHS England has stated that a few hundred chemists will initially treat the five additional conditions before the service extends gradually to thousands of community pharmacies nationwide. Patients can access the service by walking into a local chemist directly or through referrals from NHS 111 and GPs. Around four in five people in England live within a 20-minute walk of a community pharmacy, highlighting the convenience of the programme. Beyond prescribing, high street pharmacies already provide blood pressure monitoring, contraception services, smoking cessation advice, and flu and Covid vaccinations.
Industry Response and Funding Concerns
While patient groups welcomed the expansion, pharmacy representative bodies warned that government funding falls short of what is required for the additional workload. Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, stated that pharmacies are still under significant financial pressures and urged ministers to invest further in the pharmacy network. Meanwhile, The Migraine Trust welcomed the announcement after campaigning for greater pharmacy involvement, with chief executive Rob Music describing the move as a wonderful opportunity for a faster and improved care pathway. Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England’s director for primary care and community services, stated that the aim is to ensure patients receive local support so they do not need to be admitted to hospital unnecessarily.
Did You Know?
England’s Pharmacy First scheme draws on a Scottish model that currently allows chemists to treat patients for 27 separate conditions, with Northern Ireland and Wales operating similar programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access the expanded Pharmacy First service?
Patients can walk directly into a participating local chemist or receive a referral through NHS 111 or a GP.
Which new conditions are included in the autumn rollout?
The five new conditions are low-frequency migraines in adults, acute outer ear infections in adults, mild to moderate acne, childhood hay fever, and mild skin infections or scabies.
Will every pharmacy offer treatments for all 12 conditions immediately?
No. NHS England stated that an initial group of a few hundred chemists will start treating the five new conditions before the service rolls out gradually to thousands of pharmacies nationwide.
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