The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) has raised concerns about the Government’s decision to expand Pharmacy First, and warned that moving more care away from general practice risks undermining the role of GPs in diagnosing patients safely and effectively.
The government had on 10 Sept added migraines, acne, scabies, ear infections, and rhinitis to the list treatments offered by pharmacies through Pharmacy First.
Pharmacies were already treating earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and uncomplicated UTIs under the Pharmacy First programme.
Dr Steve Taylor, DAUK’s GP co-lead, said pharmacists play an important role in healthcare, particularly in the management of medicines and minor illnesses, but warned against assuming that ‘minor’ conditions were straightforward.
“Pharmacists are experts in medicines and play a hugely important role in the NHS, but don’t necessarily have the diagnostic skills or expertise.
“While not critical of the majority of pharmacists, we are critical of the push from Government and NHS England.
He added that the organisation is concerned as pharmacists do not have to demonstrate training for Pharmacy First.
He said that GP care should still be the first option for patients.
“GPs have years of diagnostic training and experience at dealing with the hidden complexities of patients presenting even with ‘simple’ or ‘minor’ illnesses.”
He highlighted that there has been an erosion of GP practice finances over the past decade. And this had caused reduction of medical access for all and some GPs are unemployed or underemployed.
“The Government must fund pharmacies and GP practices to genuinely improve access while not compromising safe care,” Taylor said.
