Pharmacy First: expert care at your local pharmacy
Did you know you can get advice and treatment for several common conditions from a participating community pharmacy, without needing to see your GP first?
Pharmacy First can help with:
Middle ear infections — ages 1–17
Impetigo and infected insect bites — age 1 and over
Sore throats — age 5 and over
Sinusitis — age 12 and over
Shingles — age 18 and over
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections — women aged 16–64
More services are being introduced from autumn 2026 at selected pharmacies with qualified pharmacist prescribers. These include treatment for:
Low-frequency episodic migraine in adults
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) in children
Outer ear infections in adults
Mild to moderate acne in young people and adults
Mild skin and soft tissue infections and scabies
The new services are rolling out gradually, so please check with your pharmacy before visiting to confirm availability and eligibility.
Your pharmacist will assess your symptoms, offer advice and supply treatment where appropriate. If you need further care, they can direct you to the right service.
You can contact a participating pharmacy directly, or our practice team may refer you. See the poster for more details.
Published on 1 October 2026