Pharmacy First is an NHS service in England that lets pharmacists treat 7 common conditions without you seeing a GP. These include sore throat, sinusitis and urinary tract infections in women. Where it's needed, the pharmacist can give you prescription medicine, such as antibiotics.
In short:
- Pharmacy First lets a pharmacist in England treat 7 common conditions without a GP appointment.
- Each condition has eligibility criteria, such as age or severity of symptoms.
- You can walk in, or your GP surgery or NHS 111 can send you.
- If you need more help, the pharmacist will refer you to a GP or another service.
What is Pharmacy First?
Pharmacy First is an NHS service for 7 common conditions. It lets you get advice from a pharmacist and, if you need it, prescription medicine. You do not need to see a GP or make an appointment first. It started in England on 31 January 2024. Find out more about Pharmacy First from NHS England (opens in a new tab).
Most pharmacies offer this service. This guide covers England. If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, check your own country's NHS website for pharmacy services there.
What conditions does Pharmacy First cover?
The NHS page how pharmacies can help (opens in a new tab) lists these 7 conditions and who can get treatment for each:
- impetigo (a skin infection): aged 1 year and over
- infected insect bites: aged 1 year and over
- earache: aged 1 to 17 years
- sore throat: aged 5 years and over
- sinusitis: aged 12 years and over
- urinary tract infections (UTIs): women aged 16 to 64 years
- shingles: aged 18 years and over
Online-only pharmacies do not offer the earache service. If you are not eligible for Pharmacy First, a pharmacist can still give you advice and suggest medicines you can buy. You may need to see a GP for other treatment.
Can I get UTI treatment from a pharmacy?
Yes, if you are a woman aged 16 to 64 with a simple urinary tract infection. If you are a man or outside the service age range, a pharmacist can still give you advice. You may need to see a GP for treatment. If needed, the pharmacist will refer you to a GP or another service.
Can a pharmacist give you antibiotics?
Yes, for the Pharmacy First conditions. Pharmacists follow set NHS instructions that allow them to supply some prescription-only medicines, including certain antibiotics and shingles treatments. Not all conditions or symptoms need antibiotics, so the pharmacist will only offer them if you need them.
How do I use Pharmacy First?
There are 2 ways to use it:
- walk in to, or call, a pharmacy yourself for any of the 7 conditions, with no referral needed
- get a referral to a pharmacy from your GP surgery, NHS 111 (online or by phone), or an urgent or emergency care service
To find a pharmacy near you, you can search on Bookable.
The pharmacist will ask about your symptoms. They will then give you advice, give you treatment, or refer you to a GP or another health professional. Your GP record is updated after the consultation.
Pharmacists can also help with other common illnesses, aches and pains that do not need a prescription.
When will a pharmacist send you to a GP?
A pharmacist will refer you to a GP or another service if Pharmacy First is not suitable for you. If you are not registered with a GP, you can find an NHS GP surgery near you with Bookable. You can register online for free and book a GP appointment at the same time.
Urgent help: if you need medical help now and are not sure where to go, use NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) or call 111. For a life-threatening emergency, call 999.
Common questions
Do I need an appointment for Pharmacy First?
No. You can go to a pharmacy without an appointment or a GP referral. Most pharmacies offer the Pharmacy First service.
Can a pharmacist treat my child's ear infection?
Yes, if your child is aged 1 to 17. Online-only pharmacies do not offer this, so go to a high street pharmacy.
Can men get UTI treatment through Pharmacy First?
No. The UTI service is only for women aged 16 to 64. A pharmacist can still give men advice, but you may need to see a GP for treatment. Use NHS 111 if you are not sure where to get help.
Will my GP know I saw a pharmacist?
Yes. Your GP health record is updated after a Pharmacy First consultation. Your information is not shared with anyone else.
Is Pharmacy First available in Scotland or Wales?
Pharmacy First, as described here, is an NHS service in England. If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, check your own country's NHS website for what pharmacies there can treat.
Sources
- How pharmacies can help (opens in a new tab) (NHS)
- Pharmacy First (opens in a new tab) (NHS England)
- Community pharmacy advanced service specification: NHS Pharmacy First Service (opens in a new tab) (NHS England)
- Launch of NHS Pharmacy First advanced service (opens in a new tab) (NHS England)
- When to use NHS 111 online or call 111 (opens in a new tab) (NHS)