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Daily Read: Sports & Health

Pharmacies to Treat More Conditions This Autumn

Starting this autumn, pharmacists in England will be able to prescribe medication for five additional common ailments - migraines, acne, scabies, ear infections and blocked noses - without a GP referral. The move expands an existing Pharmacy First scheme that already covers seven conditions such as sore throat, sinusitis and urinary tract infections. NHS England says the change will relieve pressure on general practitioners and A&E departments, especially after a record‑setting summer of high demand. Prime Minister Andy Burnham highlighted the benefit of quick, local care, noting that patients will no longer need to take time off work or wait for routine appointments. The rollout will begin with a few hundred chemists, gradually expanding to thousands of community pharmacies across the country. Patients can access the service via NHS111, a GP referral or by visiting a high‑street chemist directly. The scheme mirrors similar pharmacy‑based care models already in place in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. While the government has pledged funding, pharmacy associations warn that the current budget may not cover the increased workload, calling for further investment.

· BBC News

The essential points

  1. 01Pharmacists will treat migraines, acne, scabies, ear infections and blocked noses starting this autumn
  2. 02The Pharmacy First scheme now covers 12 conditions, expanding from seven previously available
  3. 03NHS England aims to ease GP and A&E pressure after a record‑setting summer of demand
  4. 04The rollout will begin with a few hundred chemists and expand to thousands nationwide
The full brief

Starting this autumn, pharmacists in England will be able to prescribe medication for five additional common ailments - migraines, acne, scabies, ear infections and blocked noses - without a GP referral. The move expands an existing Pharmacy First scheme that already covers seven conditions such as sore throat, sinusitis and urinary tract infections. NHS England says the change will relieve pressure on general practitioners and A&E departments, especially after a record‑setting summer of high demand.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham highlighted the benefit of quick, local care, noting that patients will no longer need to take time off work or wait for routine appointments. The rollout will begin with a few hundred chemists, gradually expanding to thousands of community pharmacies across the country. Patients can access the service via NHS111, a GP referral or by visiting a high‑street chemist directly.

The scheme mirrors similar pharmacy‑based care models already in place in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. While the government has pledged funding, pharmacy associations warn that the current budget may not cover the increased workload, calling for further investment.