Think Pharmacy First
Most pharmacies in England are now providing the NHS Pharmacy First service. This service allows pharmacists to provide advice and where appropriate, supply NHS medicines for a number of conditions.
- How can Pharmacies help
- What conditions can they treat
- GP referral to Pharmacy First
- How to nominate a Pharmacy
How can Pharmacies help
Pharmacists can give you advice on a range of conditions and suggest medicines that can help.
They may also be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP (this is called Pharmacy First).
What conditions can they treat
As part of the Pharmacy First service Pharmacists can treat:
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)
If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to a GP or other healthcare professional if needed.
They will then update your GP health record.
If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.
How to nominate a Pharmacy
You can nominate a pharmacy through:
- The NHS App
- Patient Online Services
- During a consultation with one of our clinicians or by speaking to our reception team.
Find a pharmacy
Use this handy NHS tool to search for a local pharmacy.