Most pharmacies can now offer prescription medicines — including antibiotics if needed — for some common illnesses. You don’t need to see a GP or make an appointment. This is called Pharmacy First.
Pharmacy First: treatment from a local pharmacist
Pharmacists can suggest treatments 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 (including antibiotics) for are:
- sore throat/tonsillitis (aged 5 years and over)
- earache/ear infections (aged 1 to 17 years)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice and support decisions about self care treatment with over the counter medicines, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.
If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to a GP or other health professional if needed. They will also update your GP health record, but your information will not be shared with anyone else.
Most pharmacies can provide prescription medicine for these conditions but contact them before visiting to check.
Find a local pharmacyGetting the contraceptive pill without a prescription
Some pharmacies may offer the contraceptive pill for free without a prescription. If you are aged 18 years or older, you can also buy the progesterone-only pill from most pharmacies.
Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription
Emergency contraception
Some pharmacies offer the emergency contraceptive pill for free. If you’re aged 16 or over, you can also buy it from most pharmacies.
Find out about emergency contraception
Get a free blood pressure check
Some pharmacies offer a free blood pressure check.
Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks
More services
Other services that may be available at a local pharmacy include:
- advice from a pharmacist after contacting NHS 111 or a GP
- chlamydia screening and treatment
- advice and help on how to stop smoking
- cholesterol and blood sugar testing
- the substance misuse service, including needle and syringe exchange schemes
- advice and help on how to manage your weight
Ask a local pharmacist to find out what services they offer.
Help with new medicines
When you start a new medicine for a long term condition you can have up to 3 appointments with a local pharmacist to:
- answer any questions you have
- help you use the medicine safely
- make sure that the medicine’s right for you
Get help with newly prescribed medicines
Disposing of old medicines
If your medicine is out of date or unwanted, do not put it in the bin or flush it down the toilet. Take it to your pharmacy to be disposed of safely.