The Pharmacy First scheme is a service available in all community pharmacies and means you do not need to wait for an appointment to see your doctor about certain conditions.
Treatment from a pharmacist;
Pharmacists can suggest treatments that do not need a prescription for a range of conditions.
Most pharmacies can also offer prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment. This is called Pharmacy First.
Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
If you do not usually pay for your prescriptions, then your pharmacy will be able to supply the medicine free of charge under the scheme. If you usually pay for prescriptions you will be charged a fee equivalent to the cost of a prescription.
The pharmacist may refer you back to your GP if they feel your illness is not treatable under the scheme or the medicine available through the scheme is not suitable for you.
Advice from a Pharmacist
Pharmacists can offer advice on a range of illnesses;
- aches and pains
- sore throat
- coughs
- colds
- flu
- ear infections
- cystitis
- skin rashes
- teething
- red eye
They can also give advice about medicines. This includes how to use your medicine, worries about side effects or any other questions you have.
If they cannot help you themselves, they can refer you to a GP or other health professional.
If you want to buy an over-the-counter medicine, the pharmacist and their team can help you choose.