--- title: "Pharmacy First: conditions, ages and how to get help" description: "Which seven conditions Pharmacy First covers in England, the age ranges, how to contact a pharmacy and what to ask about assessment and follow-up." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/guides/pharmacy-first-in-england/ robots: noindex --- # Pharmacy First: conditions, ages and how to get help Practical health guides Which seven conditions Pharmacy First covers in England, the age ranges, how to contact a pharmacy and what to ask about assessment and follow-up. Written by HealthAnswers Practical editorial guide · Medical review not recorded. Drafted and source-checked with AI assistance. [What this means](https://healthanswers.co.uk/about/how-we-review/#editorial-guides) Sources checked 8 September 2026 ## Quick answer What can Pharmacy First help with in England? Pharmacy First in England lets participating pharmacies assess seven common conditions and, when appropriate, supply certain prescription medicines without a GP appointment. Age limits and other eligibility checks apply. The pharmacist may give advice, offer treatment or direct you to another service. A consultation does not guarantee antibiotics or another medicine. ## Who is this page for? People preparing for healthcare conversations or checking public health information. Service eligibility and local arrangements vary. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 4 sections ## Key points - Contact the pharmacy before visiting to check it offers the service you need. - A pharmacist checks whether the pathway is suitable for you. - Pharmacy First eligibility in England is different from pharmacy schemes elsewhere in the UK. ## Which conditions and ages are covered? The table summarises the [NHS England Pharmacy First pathways](https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/). It is a starting point for contacting a pharmacy. The pharmacist still needs to check symptoms, medical history and other eligibility requirements. | Condition assessed | Age range | | --- | --- | | Earache associated with an acute middle-ear infection | 1 to 17 years | | Impetigo | 1 year and over | | Infected insect bites | 1 year and over | | Shingles | 18 years and over | | Sinusitis | 12 years and over | | Sore throat | 5 years and over | | Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) | Women aged 16 to 64 years | An age match alone does not mean the pathway is suitable. Tell the pharmacist about pregnancy, other conditions, allergies and medicines. For the ear-infection pathway, use a pharmacy offering an in-person assessment; distance-selling pharmacies do not provide this pathway. For background information, see our guides to [UTIs](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infection/), [shingles](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/shingles/) and [sinusitis](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/sinusitis/). Do not use a condition label from an online search as a diagnosis. ## How do I find a participating pharmacy? Use [NHS Find a pharmacy](https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy), then contact it to check the service and opening hours. [NHS patient guidance recommends checking before visiting](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/). A useful opening question is: “Do you offer Pharmacy First for [the problem] for someone aged [age], and how can we be seen?” Describe what is happening if you do not know the condition’s name. The seven-condition scheme described here applies to **England**. Ask a local pharmacy about services in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland; do not assume the same conditions or age limits apply. ## What should I have ready? Write down when the problem began, how it has changed and anything you have already tried. Have medicine and allergy details available. Tell the pharmacy about communication or access needs when you contact them. If you are arranging help for someone else, ask what the pharmacy needs from the person being assessed. Our [supporting someone at an appointment guide](https://healthanswers.co.uk/guides/supporting-someone-at-an-appointment/) can help you plan your role. ## What should I check after the assessment? The [NHS describes advice, treatment and onward referral as possible outcomes](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/). Before leaving, make sure you understand: - The plan agreed with the pharmacist. - How to use any medicine supplied and who to ask about it. - What improvement to expect and when. - Which changes mean you need help sooner, and where to get it. - Any costs or prescription charges relevant to what is being offered. For a **life-threatening emergency, call 999**. Pharmacy First is not an emergency service. If the pharmacy cannot help and you need urgent advice, use our [UK guide to GP, NHS 111 and emergency care](https://healthanswers.co.uk/guides/pharmacy-gp-111-or-ae/). ## Common questions Do I need a GP referral? You can contact a participating pharmacy directly for the seven-condition service. NHS 111, a GP or another service may also refer you. Check availability before travelling. Will I definitely get antibiotics? No. The pharmacist follows an assessment pathway and may recommend self-care, supply an appropriate medicine or refer you elsewhere. Ask what to expect and what to do if you are not improving. Can the pharmacist help if I am outside an age range? You can still ask a pharmacist for advice. The prescription-treatment pathway may not apply, and they may advise you to use your GP or another NHS service. ## Sources - [NHS England — Pharmacy First and its clinical pathways](https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/) - [NHS — how pharmacies can help](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/)