The Pharmacy First service builds on the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service which has run since October 2019. The consultation service enables patients to be referred into community pharmacy for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply.
This new service is expected to free up GP appointments for patients who need them most and will give people quicker and more convenient access to safe and high quality healthcare. It includes the supply of appropriate medicines for 7 common conditions including earache, sore throat, and urinary tract infections, aiming to address health issues before they get worse.
Accessing Pharmacy First services
The following table shows the 7 conditions pharmacists can manage across various age ranges.
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Clinical pathway
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Age range
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Acute otitis media*
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1 to 17 years
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Impetigo
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1 year and over
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Infected insect bites
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1 year and over
|
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Shingles
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18 years and over
|
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Sinusitis
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12 years and over
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Sore throat
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5 years and over
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Uncomplicated urinary tract infections
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Women 16 to 64 years
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* Distance selling pharmacies will not complete consultations for acute otitis media.
For more information about this service please visit NHS England » Pharmacy First