NHS Pharmacy First Service

Pharmacy First builds on the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service. It allows patients to be referred to a local pharmacy for help with minor illnesses or urgent repeat prescriptions.

Community pharmacies offer a more convenient way to access healthcare. They can support with:

• healthy eating
• exercise
• stopping smoking
• blood pressure checks
• contraception
• flu and COVID-19 vaccinations

The service gives people quicker and easier access to safe, high-quality care. It includes the supply of medicines for seven common conditions, helping to treat problems early before they get worse.

Pharmacists can treat the following conditions:

• Acute ear infections (age 1 to 17)
• Impetigo (age 1 and over)
• Infected insect bites (age 1 and over)
• Shingles (age 18 and over)
• Sinusitis (age 12 and over)
• Sore throat (age 5 and over)
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16 to 64)

Note: Distance-selling pharmacies do not offer consultations for acute ear infections.

Patients can access the service in two ways:

• by referral from a GP, NHS 111 (online or by phone), or urgent and emergency care services
• by contacting or visiting a pharmacy directly (for the seven common conditions only)