Your local pharmacist can help with more than you think
For seven common conditions, your NHS pharmacist can give advice, prescribe medicines, and treat you on the same day — no GP appointment needed. Free on the NHS.
Evening, weekend or bank holiday?
Most pharmacies are closed outside normal opening hours. Call NHS 111 or use 111 online instead — they can advise you and book you in if needed.
What is Pharmacy First?
Pharmacy First is a free NHS service. It lets your local pharmacist see you for seven common conditions — without you needing to wait for a GP appointment.
For most of these conditions, the pharmacist can give you medicine on the same day, including some antibiotics. They take your history, examine you in a private consultation room if needed, and treat you according to NHS rules.
If they think the condition isn't right for the pharmacy — or if they spot something that needs a doctor — they will refer you back to your GP or send you to urgent care. The pharmacist makes the final decision.
England only — Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have similar but separate services.The seven Pharmacy First conditions
Click a card to read what the pharmacist can do, what they can't, and what to expect at the visit.
UTI (water infection)
Burning when you wee, going more often, feeling unwell from a urine infection.
Shingles
Painful blistering rash on one side of the body, usually with tingling or burning first.
Impetigo
A skin infection — golden or honey-coloured crusts, often around the nose or mouth.
Infected insect or tick bite
A bite that becomes red, hot, swollen or painful — and may need an antibiotic.
Sore throat
Painful throat that won't settle — the pharmacist will check whether antibiotics might help.
Sinusitis
Blocked nose, facial pressure or pain — the pharmacist sees you if it's been going on more than 10 days.
Earache in children
Painful ear in a child aged 1–17, often with a fever or feeling unwell.
How it works
No appointment, no referral, no GP letter needed.
Read the page
Click the condition above. Check the age and what the pharmacist can do for it.
Walk in and ask
Tell the counter you'd like a Pharmacy First consultation. The pharmacist will see you in a private room.
Who wrote this
Quick answers
Do I need to book?
Will it cost me anything?
I'm helping someone else — can I go on their behalf?
The pharmacist usually needs to see and speak to the person who's unwell. If you're helping an elderly parent, a child, or someone who can't easily get out, take them with you if at all possible.
For a child, the parent or carer goes with them. The pharmacist may refer your child back to your GP if the condition isn't right for the pharmacy.
What if the pharmacist can't help me?
I live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland — does this apply to me?
This page describes the NHS England Pharmacy First service. The other UK nations have similar schemes but with different names and rules: