Review · News Desk
People will be able to go to their local chemist in England this autumn and get on-the-spot treatment for 12 common conditions—migraines, acne, ear infections, and others—without needing to see a GP first. Currently, pharmacists can prescribe medication for seven conditions: sore throat, earache, sinusitis, shingles, impetigo, infected bites, and urinary tract infections. Five more conditions—migraines, acne, scabies, ear infections, and blocked noses—are now also being added to this list.
NHS England introduced this change to ease pressure on busy GPs and A&E departments while ensuring people can receive quick and convenient treatment. After a hot summer and record-high A&E visits, the NHS aims to make it easier for people to get help for everyday health issues. Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized that people are tired of waiting for routine appointments and want immediate, local care.
The five new conditions that can now be treated at pharmacies include low-frequency migraines in adults, hay fever or allergic rhinitis in children, ear infections in adults, mild to moderate acne in young people and adults, and mild skin infections or scabies. Initially, a few hundred chemists will offer treatments for these five new conditions, with a gradual rollout across thousands of community pharmacies. Pharmacies also provide support for healthy eating, exercise, smoking cessation, blood pressure monitoring, contraception, and vaccinations.
The Migraine Trust welcomed the move, calling it an opportunity for faster and improved care for migraine sufferers. NHS England’s Dr Amanda Doyle stressed that patients should receive support in their communities to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. However, pharmacy associations argue that the government’s funding does not cover the increased workload.
The Pharmacy First scheme, launched in England in 2024, has already delivered over 14 million consultations, including two million for sore throats and 1.7 million for UTIs. Patients can access treatment via NHS111, their GP, or directly at their chemist. Scotland’s Pharmacy First scheme serves as a model, with similar programs in Northern Ireland and Wales allowing pharmacies to treat 27 conditions.
Source: BBC
