NHS Pharmacy First: 7 conditions a pharmacist can treat

Written and reviewed by the UK Hospitals editorial team
Last reviewed: 22 October 2026 · Next review due: 22 April 2027

This guide brings together information from the NHS and other official sources, listed at the end of the page. It is not medical advice.

NHS Pharmacy First lets you get treatment for 7 common conditions from a pharmacy, without a GP appointment. This guide explains which conditions are included, who can use it and what happens when you go.

The 7 conditions

Conditions a pharmacist can treat through Pharmacy First, and who is eligible
  • SinusitisAged 12 and over
  • Sore throatAged 5 and over
  • EaracheAged 1 to 17
  • Infected insect biteAged 1 and over
  • ImpetigoAged 1 and over
  • ShinglesAged 18 and over
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)Women aged 16 to 64

If you are outside these age groups, a pharmacist can still give you advice and suggest medicines you can buy, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.

What happens at the pharmacy

  • Most pharmacies in England offer Pharmacy First, but it is a good idea to contact the pharmacy before you go to check.
  • You do not need an appointment. Your GP surgery or NHS 111 may also send you to a pharmacist.
  • The pharmacist will ask about your symptoms. They can then give you advice, give you prescription medicine if you need it, or send you to a GP or another health professional.
  • The pharmacist will update your GP health record. Your information is not shared with anyone else.

Normal prescription charges apply if you usually pay for prescriptions in England.

Other ways a pharmacy can help

  • advice and over-the-counter medicines for minor illnesses
  • free emergency contraception (the morning after pill) at most pharmacies
  • the contraceptive pill without a prescription, free, at some pharmacies
  • free blood pressure checks at some pharmacies, if you are 40 or over, live in England, do not already have high blood pressure and have not had a check in the last 5 years
  • help with a new medicine for some long-term conditions through the New Medicine Service

Each pharmacy page on this site lists the NHS services that pharmacy has recently provided.

Find a pharmacy open near you

Pharmacy First is an NHS service in England. Read more about how pharmacies can help on the NHS website.

Sources

We checked this guide against these official pages on 22 October 2026.

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