What is NHS Pharmacy First and how can it help you?

Since January 2024, patients in England can walk into a participating community pharmacy and be treated for seven common conditions without needing to see a GP first. It's one of the biggest changes to NHS primary care in a decade — yet many people still don't know it exists.

What is Pharmacy First?

Pharmacy First lets trained pharmacists assess and treat seven common conditions directly, including sore throat, sinusitis, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. Where clinically appropriate, the pharmacist can supply prescription-only treatment — you never see a GP at all.

Why it matters

For patients, it means faster access to treatment — most pharmacies offer walk-in appointments, including evenings and weekends. For the NHS, it frees up millions of GP appointments for people who need them most.

How to use it

Simply visit a participating pharmacy. The pharmacist will assess your symptoms in a private consultation room and recommend the right treatment. If your symptoms suggest something more serious, they'll refer you to your GP or another service.

What it isn't

Pharmacy First isn't a replacement for your GP for ongoing conditions, and it isn't an emergency service. For anything urgent, call 111 or dial 999 in an emergency.

RXLiveClinic's NHS Pharmacy First service lets you complete the same clinical assessment online — from home, at any hour.