What is Pharmacy First?
Pharmacy first consultations
We now offer the Pharmacy First Scheme which means that patients can now get prescription-only treatment for selected common conditions in store after consultation with our pharmacist, without needing to see a GP.
This can include prescribing and supplying antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate.
What conditions can Pharmacy First treat?
- Sinusitis (for patients aged 12 years and over only)
- Sore throat (aged 5+), antibiotics for severe sore throat infection.
- Earache (aged 1 year-17)
- Infected insect bite (aged 1 year+)
- Impetigo (aged 1 year+)
- Shingles (aged 18 years+),
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16 to 64)
How can my pharmacist supply a prescription-only medicine if they are not a doctor?
Pharmacists must follow a NHS protocol (called a ‘patient group direction’) covering their own required knowledge and skills and the types of patients covered.
This means that the supply of prescription-only medicines will be limited according to the patient group directive.