An expansion of Pharmacy First to include more services could lead to a five time increase in the number of patients that are seen through the scheme, according to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).
The NPA have urged the government to use the NHS 10 year plan, expected to be announced in the coming weeks, to deliver a ‘turbo charged’ Pharmacy First service which would allow pharmacists to treat a broader range of conditions and treat 20 million patients a year.
Introduced in January 2024, Pharmacy First saw almost five million consultations in its first year.
NPA analysis also shows that the expansion to a similar service to Scotland could see around 14 million GP appointments saved a year.
In England, pharmacists can currently supply prescription medication for seven common ailments without a patient having to see their GP, including infected insect bites, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
The NPA are calling on the government to include additional conditions, such as constipation, diarrhoea and certain bacterial skin infections, to bring it into line with the service in Scotland and take further pressure off GP surgeries.
“This analysis shows that turbo charging the Pharmacy First programme can help patients to beat the 8AM scramble for a GP appointment,” said Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association.
“Good progress has been made already since the introduction of the programme in England last year. However, the experience from Scotland shows there is even more potential to treat more patients for a wide variety of conditions that would otherwise see you visiting other more costly parts of the NHS.
“As this analysis shows, through a number of small practical changes the scheme could reach 20 million patients in England, a game changing number.
“The NHS 10 year plan is a golden opportunity to seize the initiative and expand the role of community pharmacies, achieving the government’s ambitions for a genuine neighbourhood health service.
“Pharmacies act as the front door to the NHS and with the right funding and support can provide even more services to their patients.”
The NPA are calling for greater engagement from GP's, with significant regional variation in the numbers of referrals into Pharmacy First by practices.
As well as this, they would like to see an expansion in the walk in elements to the service and more funding for a public awareness campaign.
