Bold opening: Pharmacies are stepping up as frontline care, and many people don’t realize how much they can help with common illnesses. And this is the part most people miss—their local chemist can diagnose and treat several conditions right away, lightening the load on GP services.
Pharmacists in England have seen a noticeable rise in patients seeking treatment for seven of the most common ailments. The Pharmacy First scheme, launched in 2024, authorizes pharmacists to diagnose and prescribe medications, including antibiotics, for conditions such as sore throats and ear infections.
In 2025, more than 260,000 patients across the East Midlands used pharmacy consultations under the scheme — a 61% increase from the year before.
Jasvinder Kaur Lali, superintendent pharmacist at Carlton Hill Pharmacy in Nottinghamshire, attributes much of this shift to difficulties obtaining timely GP appointments.
Access is simple: patients can walk into a pharmacy or be referred there by NHS 111, urgent treatment centers, emergency departments, or their GP. The service remains available to people who are not registered with a GP.
If a pharmacist diagnoses one of the seven eligible conditions, they can supply medicines, including NHS prescriptions, directly to the patient rather than sending them back to a GP for a standard prescription. If a patient requires more specialized care or follow-up, they are referred onward.
What can pharmacists supply under Pharmacy First now?
- Earache (ages 1–17)
- Impetigo (ages 1+)
- Infected insect bites (ages 1+)
- Shingles (ages 18+)
- Sinusitis (ages 12+)
- Sore throat (ages 5+)
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women 16–64)
Lali emphasized the need for broader public awareness of the services pharmacies can offer, including Pharmacy First. Since the scheme began at her chemist, they have seen:
- More than 200 sore-throat patients treated, with a total of 800 consultations to date
- The pharmacist’s role in distinguishing bacterial infections from viral ones by examining the throat, and prescribing antibiotics only when clinically justified on the NHS
NHS Midlands data shows sore throats, urinary tract infections, and insect bites as the top three reasons people seek pharmacist care under Pharmacy First. At Carlton Hill, sore throats, sinusitis, and urinary tract infections are the most common conditions treated.
Lali called for greater awareness of what pharmacies can do, noting that pharmacists can manage a wider range of conditions and help patients stay healthier between GP visits.
She also highlighted a common barrier: many people don’t think of the pharmacy as a healthcare option.
Alex, a parent in the area, illustrates the impact. After her son Max developed a sore throat, his GP referred them to Carlton Hill Pharmacy. The pharmacist diagnosed a bacterial throat infection and prescribed antibiotics, helping Max recover within a few days and return to school. Alex remarked that the service makes sense for easing stretched GP services and has been telling others about it.
NHS England Midlands pharmacy lead Jackie Buxton pointed out that Pharmacy First can be especially useful on weekends when options are limited and many pharmacies remain open, offering convenient access.
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, affirmed that Pharmacy First benefits patients through convenient, local care and helps reduce GP wait times. In its first two years, community pharmacies have clearly shown their potential to relieve pressure on the broader health system.
Question for readers: Do you think more areas should expand Pharmacy First coverage to include additional conditions and extended hours? What impact do you predict on wait times for GP appointments if pharmacies in your area broaden their services?
