From the 31st January 2024 Pharmacists will be able to prescribe medications for a number of minor illnesses. There are also a number of other services that the Pharmacist can offer. This will hopefully relieve some of the pressure in GP surgeries and save time and worry for patients.
Pharmacy Contraception Service
Launched on 1/12/23:
The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation and as part of that, will reach a shared decision with the person on the ongoing supply of their current oral contraception, ensuring clinical appropriateness. It will allow pharmacists to initiate contraception and provide an ongoing supply for patients who are already established on a contraception. Patients will be able to visit the NHS website and use the postcode tool to find local pharmacies who deliver the contraception service. A person may self-refer or be referred by their general practice, sexual health clinic or equivalent, to a participating pharmacy. A pharmacy may also identify a person is suitable for the service and highlight it to appropriate individuals.
Blood Pressure Service
The NHS Community Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service supports risk identification and prevention of cardiovascular disease. This service will identify people over the age of 40 who have previously not been diagnosed with hypertension and to refer those with suspected hypertension for appropriate management.
Pharmacy First
Launched on 31/1/2024
Pharmacists will be allowed to manage 7 minor illnesses with a restricted set of medications available to prescribe. This has been discussed rigorously within a multi-disciplinary team.
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The 7 minor illnesses include:
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Uncomplicated Urine infection of Women ages 16-64
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Shingles in people 18 years and older
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Impetigo in people 1 year and over
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Infected insect bites in people 1 year and over
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Sinusitis in people over 12 years of age
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Sore throat in people 5 years and over
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Acute Otitis Media (Ear Infection) in people aged 1-17
Pharmacists will offer self-care advice, reassurance, alternatives to antibiotics and where necessary antibiotics. Many alternative medications have been made available for a pharmacist to prescribe as a first line of action where appropriate before antibiotics.
Could You be Suitable for Pharmacy First?
Urinary Tract Infection
Is the patient a female between the ages of 16 and 64? Do they have 2 of the following symptoms? Pain or burning when passing urine? New need to get up and pass urine at night? Cloudy urine?
If so then the pharmacist may well be able to help
Earache
Is the patient between 1 and 17 years old? Do they have new ear pain with or without a fever? If the patient is a child are they tugging at their ear? As long as their symptoms have lasted less than 5 days and they do not appear listless or floppy then the pharmacist may be able to help.
Sinusitis
Is the patient aged 12 or over? Do they have a nasal blockage or nasal discharge AND any of the following:
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Facial pain/pressure or headache
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Reduction or loss of smell (in adults)
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Cough (in children)
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Temperature
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Pain in your teeth
Then a pharmacist may be able to help
Sore Throat
Is the patient 5 years old or older? Have symptoms started in the last 3 days? Have they had a fever in the last 24 hours accompanied by white spots on the tonsils or inflammation of the tonsils? but with no cough?
Then a pharmacist may be able to help
Infected Insect Bite
Is the patient over 1 year? With spreading redness and inflammation around a bite or with a Puss like discharge from the area?
Then a pharmacist may be able to help
Impetigo
Is the patient 1 year old or older? Do they have any of the following symptoms?
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Red sores or blisters on the skin
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Crusty golden brown scabs
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Are they itchy or painful
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Have they recently been in contact with someone with impetigo
Then a pharmacist may be able to help
Shingles
Is the patient aged 18 or over? Do they have a tingling or unusual sensation on their skin? A painful patch of redness with blistering on one section of the body which is on one side only?
Then a pharmacist may be able to help
A pharmacist will not usually be able to help if you are pregnant, do not fit into the criteria or if you are immunosuppressed. Please visit your local pharmacy for more guidance and advice.