Today · Gulf Edu
Migraines and acne among five more conditions pharmacists can treat. People will be able to go to their local chemist in England this autumn and get on-the-spot treatment for 12 common conditions without going to their GP first. Pharmacists can already prescribe medication for seven conditions: sore throat, earache, sinusitis, shingles, impetigo, infected bites, and urinary tract infections.
Five more—migraines, acne, scabies, ear infections, and badly blocked noses—are now also being added to that list. NHS England said the move aims to ease pressure on busy GPs and A&E departments while ensuring people can get treatment quickly and conveniently. After a hot summer and three of the busiest months on record in A&E departments in England, the NHS wants to make it easier for people to get help for everyday conditions.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated people are 'fed up with the scramble for routine appointments' and wants support close to home, reducing time off work or waiting for treatment. The five new conditions that can now be treated via pharmacies are: low-frequency migraines in adults, hay fever or allergic rhinitis in children, ear infections in adults, mild to moderate acne in young people and adults, and mild skin infections and scabies. Initially, a few hundred chemists will offer treatments for these five new conditions, with a gradual rollout across thousands of community NHS pharmacies.
Community pharmacies also provide support for healthy eating, exercise, smoking cessation, blood pressure monitoring, contraception, flu, and COVID-19 vaccinations. The Migraine Trust expressed delight over the news, calling for more migraine care support in pharmacies. Dr Amanda Doyle, director for primary care and community services at NHS England, emphasized ensuring patients receive support in their communities to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
However, pharmacy representatives noted that funding does not cover the workload for the new plans, highlighting ongoing financial pressures on pharmacies. The Pharmacy First scheme began in England in 2024, with NHS figures showing 14 million consultations since then, including two million for sore throats and 1.7 million for urinary tract infections. Patients can be referred via NHS111 or GP or visit a chemist directly.
Scotland’s scheme, seen as a model, allows pharmacies to treat 27 conditions. Northern Ireland and Wales also have similar systems.
Source: bbc.com
