What is Pharmacy First?

What is Pharmacy First?

Sometimes, getting an appointment to see your GP about a minor illness can feel like more trouble than it’s worth. With long waiting times and difficulties in finding available appointment slots, many of us can be tempted to not even bother trying. 

For a very mild illness such as a cold, this is usually not a problem, as a cold will go away on its own in the majority of cases.[1] However, some ailments can seem mild but still require prescribed treatment – which can be difficult to access if you can’t get an appointment with your doctor. 

Enter Pharmacy First, a solution which allows qualified pharmacists to prescribe medication in specific circumstances in order to relieve the pressure on the UK’s GP surgeries. Keep reading to learn more about the Pharmacy First scheme.

 

How does Pharmacy First work?

The premise of the Pharmacy First scheme is that there are seven conditions which are reasonably common within the population where a pharmacist could prescribe the appropriate medication instead of a doctor. This can help to relieve pressure on GP surgeries by allowing patients to access treatment from a pharmacy instead, and can give GPs more time to handle more complicated cases that require their additional expertise. 

The seven common conditions are:

  • Sore throat
  • Earache
  • Infected insect bites
  • Shingles
  • Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women
  • Sinusitis
  • Impetigo.

The scheme doesn’t guarantee that you will always be able to receive treatment from your local pharmacist, as you may need to see a doctor for more complicated cases of these conditions. However, the majority of people experiencing one of these seven conditions should be able to access treatment at a pharmacy. Going to a pharmacy first (hence the name of the scheme) can help to ensure that you’re not taking up unnecessary GP time – and rest assured that if you do need or prefer a GP’s attention, you’ll still be able to visit your local practice.[2] 

In the case of a sore throat, the Pharmacy First scheme can be particularly helpful. When you have a sore throat, the correct treatment can depend on what is causing the condition, with antibiotics being appropriate only for bacterial sore throats.[3] You’ll also only be given antibiotics if your strep throat is very severe, as in many cases you’ll get better without antibiotic treatment.[4] 

But don’t worry about wasting your pharmacist’s time, as they can still offer you treatment even if antibiotics aren’t the right clinical decision. Whether your sore throat is viral or simply not severe enough to warrant antibiotics, your pharmacist can direct you to a range of palliative treatments that will help to soothe your symptoms and allow you to get on with your day.[4] 

One option available in many participating pharmacies in England is Chloralieve Dual Action Sore Throat Lozenges, which contain two antiseptic ingredients that help your body to fight off the infection. This medication doesn’t require a prescription and may be recommended as a first-line treatment to help get rid of your sore throat symptoms. Available in both Honey & Lemon and Blackcurrant flavours.

The same basic idea applies to all of the common conditions covered by Pharmacy First. Visit your local pharmacy with one of these conditions and they will:

  • Refer you to your GP or other healthcare provider if necessary

OR

  • Offer you a prescription medication to treat the condition

OR

  • Offer you over the counter medications that can help to alleviate your symptoms.[5]

 

When does Pharmacy First start?

The Pharmacy First service as described above is already up and running across England, having launched on the 31st January 2024. If you’re not sure whether you can access this primary care service in your area, simply get in touch with your local pharmacy and ask them. Over 95% of pharmacies are signed up to the scheme, so the chances are that you’ll be able to find one that’s convenient for you.[2] 

Helping to ensure that our GP surgeries are used as efficiently as possible, the Pharmacy First scheme should be your first port of call in the event of a sore throat that won’t go away. Whether you need prescription medication or over the counter alternatives such as general sales list or pharmacy-only medicines, your pharmacy can help.

 

Resources:

 

[1] – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/ 

[2] – https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/02/01/pharmacy-first-what-you-need-to-know/ 

[3] – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/ 

[4] – https://clinicalpathways.uk/pharmacy/acute-sore-throat/ 

[5] – https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/ 

4/12/2024
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Dr Simon Cooper

After completing a degree in biological sciences at the University of Oxford, Dr Simon Cooper continued his academic journey by studying molecular biology and research training at Reading University. He then obtained a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge. Throughout his career, he has utilised his in-depth scientific knowledge in a variety of roles.

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