Pharmacy First is a brand-new scheme which launched on Wednesday 31 January 2024 enabling your local community pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines to treat seven common conditions without needing to see a GP.

The service is available within all pharmacies across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, making it easier for patients to access help, advice and treatment. 

Pharmacy First sets out the increasingly important clinical role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in offering timely access to NHS services. To help deliver the scheme, the wider pharmacy team, who are appropriately trained and highly skilled, will be on hand to help patients. 

Pharmacy First enables patients to access prescription-only medicines and gain expert healthcare advice for seven common conditions, without having to visit a doctor (GP), A&E or Urgent Treatment Centre and builds on the previous Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS). 

This includes support from trained health professionals within pharmacies for symptoms of: 

• sinusitis 
• sore throat 
• earache 
• infected insect bites 
• impetigo 
• shingles, and 
• uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women 

Some factors such as age or past medical history may determine eligibility for the service. Local pharmacy teams will be able to advise on the right service for your medical need. 

The scheme also means that with an appropriate referral from General Practice, patients will be able to get urgent repeat medicines and clinical consultations for minor illnesses from a community pharmacy. 

To find your nearest pharmacy – please click here. 

As part of this, community pharmacies will also help to support women in obtaining oral contraception without a prescription. Clinical consultations will be undertaken within pharmacies before deciding with the patient on a route forwards (i.e., making an initial or ongoing supply). To find out more, patients can visit: Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

More blood pressure checks will also be available in pharmacies to help with the detection and treatment of high blood pressure - a major cause of heart attacks and strokes: Patients are advised to visit: Find a pharmacy offering free blood pressure checks – NHS (www.nhs.uk)