Pharmacists will be able to treat migraines, acne and hay fever as NHS ‘pharmacy first’ scheme is expanded

Pharmacists will be able to treat people with migraines, acne, more types of ear infection and other conditions as the NHS ‘pharmacy first’ scheme is expanded.

The scheme allows people to get care for certain common illnesses from qualified pharmacists without needing to see a GP first.

From this autumn as part of a phased rollout, people will be able to get help and treatment for acne, migraines, scabies, certain ear infections and allergic rhinitis from those pharmacies that take part.

At the moment, pharmacies can treat several conditions under pharmacy first – including impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, one type of ear infection, sort throat and urinary tract infections.

Once fully rolled out, the NHS expects between two and three million consultations for the new list of conditions could be held in pharmacies.

The Daily Mail has campaigned to save High Street pharmacies, which can increase access to healthcare and play a vital role in their local communities.

Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: ‘Thanks to community pharmacy teams, millions of people have received treatment for common conditions quickly and conveniently on their local high streets with the NHS determined to make it as easy as possible for people to get help.

‘As the NHS steps up winter preparations, we want to make sure that patients can get as much support as possible in their communities, so they do not have to be admitted to hospital unnecessarily.

‘That’s why participating pharmacies will start offering help for new common conditions such as acne, migraines and ear infections – without needing to get a GP appointment first – so they’re freed up for people who need them most in the colder months.’

New figures show the pharmacy first service has delivered 14 million consultations since its launch in February 2024 including 2 million appointments for acute sore throats, and more than 1.7 million for urinary tract infections.

Around four in five people in England live within a 20-minute walk of a community pharmacy, making it easier for patients to access NHS care closer to home.

Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, which represents around 6,0000 independent pharmacies, welcomed the expansion of the scheme but urged the government to go further.

He said: ‘This is a really significant announcement and it is great to see patients being able to be treated for more conditions on their doorstep at their local pharmacy, without having to see a GP.

‘We want to see the government turbo charge the role of pharmacies, including rolling out more prescribing services to patients on the NHS.

‘In Scotland, patients can be treated for 27 different conditions at their pharmacy, with a third of the population accessing this service last year, many steps ahead of England.

‘Pharmacies are still under significant financial pressures and this just shows why the Government should go much further and invest in our pharmacy network that has the power to transform people’s experience of everyday health issues.’

Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the Company Chemists’ Association, which represents big pharmacy chains such as Boots and Superdrug, said: ‘Expanding to more pharmacy first conditions is an important step towards making better use of pharmacists’ clinical expertise and giving patients greater access to more convenient NHS care.’

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: ‘People are fed up with the scramble for routine appointments. They want help when they need it, close to home.

‘That’s exactly what this delivers – no more taking time off work or waiting hours to get seen.

‘For five more common conditions, you’ll be able to walk into your local pharmacy and get treated on the spot.

‘This is change families will feel in their day to day as we build a better Britain.

‘Treating people closer to home means catching problems earlier, easing pressure on GPs and A&E, and giving people back precious time.’