Pharmacies to treat five more conditions from autumn

Pharmacists in England will soon be able to treat patients for five additional common conditions without a GP appointment, under an expansion of the NHS Pharmacy First scheme announced this week. From autumn, participating high street pharmacies will offer on-the-spot care for acne, migraines, scabies, certain ear infections and allergic rhinitis, as the health service steps up preparations for winter. The scheme, launched in February 2024, currently allows pharmacists to manage seven conditions, including impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throats, urinary tract infections and one specific type of ear infection. NHS figures show it has delivered 14 million consultations to date, including around 2 million for acute sore throats and more than 1.7 million for urinary tract infections. NHS England estimates that once the expansion is fully rolled out, between 2 and 3 million consultations for the five new conditions could take place in community pharmacies each year. The projection has not yet been independently verified, and the NHS has not specified exact start dates or how many pharmacies will participate.