“The public perceptions of community pharmacy survey found that over 90% of patients who sought guidance from a community pharmacy within the past year reported receiving good advice”
The Pharmacy First service allows patients and the public to access pharmacies as a convenient and accessible first point of contact for a range of common minor ailments.
Pharmacy First enables community pharmacists to offer expert advice and dispense prescription-only medications, including antibiotics and antivirals, as necessary, to treat seven common health conditions. This service allows patients to receive timely treatment without the need to visit a GP, providing convenient access to care.
The seven conditions eligible for treatment under Pharmacy First are:
▪ Sinusitis (12 years and over)
▪ Sore throat (5 years and over)
▪ Earache (1 to 17 years)
▪ Infected insect bite (1 year and over)
▪ Impetigo (1 year and over)
▪ Shingles (18 years and over)
▪ Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16-64)
This week, I was pleased to meet local Pharmacist, Sunil Sharma, of Total Care Pharmacy in Hellesdon, to see how they have worked to deliver these further services. I saw the vital role that community pharmacies play in the daily lives of our residents, and I also saw the potential for community pharmacies to make a significant contribution to the government's prevention agenda.
The Pharmacy First initiative is part of the broader Primary Care Recovery Plan, which was launched last spring. This plan aims to address the challenges faced by general practices, including the 8am rush, by providing GPs with new digital tools and increasing staff and appointment numbers.
The combined efforts of the plan aim to free up 10 million GP appointments annually by next winter and give patients more flexibility in how and where they access care. The Conservative Government has made significant progress in enhancing primary care, including delivering 50 million additional GP appointments since 2019 and recruiting a record number of doctors and nurses for the NHS.
The innovative Pharmacy First approach is designed to not only accelerate access to vital care for patients, but also alleviate the strain on local GP services by guiding people to more suitable treatment options. With over 98% of English pharmacies participating in the service, it provides a comprehensive network of healthcare providers. I believe that this current initiative highlights the community pharmacy sector's commitment to supporting government and NHS objectives and demonstrates a potential for growth and expansion beyond its current offerings.
I have immense admiration for our pharmacists, who are gallantly taking on a more prominent role in the healthcare system as we navigate the ongoing post-covid recovery period. I acknowledge that transformation requires partnership and understanding, and I am committed to engaging with community pharmacists, local stakeholders, and government, to ensure that Pharmacy First meets the aspirations of our pharmacists and delivers the high-quality care that patients deserve, efficiently and effectively.
Further information
- Find a participating pharmacy – healthcare professionals can use the NHS Service Finder to locate pharmacies that are participating in the service.
- Pharmacy First service documents – get the service specification, clinical pathways and patient group directions that support this service.
- Launching the service – information about the launch of the Pharmacy First service in January 2024.
