One of the most significant changes to NHS pharmacy services in recent years is the Pharmacy First scheme โ and at 365Med, we are proud to be a fully accredited provider.
If you have not heard of Pharmacy First yet, this guide will explain exactly what it is, who it helps, and how you can use it through our online pharmacy.
What Is Pharmacy First?
Pharmacy First is an NHS England initiative that allows community pharmacists to assess, advise on, and treat seven common conditions โ without you needing to see a GP first. It launched in February 2024 and has already helped hundreds of thousands of patients get faster access to treatment.
The scheme recognises what pharmacists have always known: that for many everyday conditions, a qualified pharmacist has all the clinical knowledge needed to provide safe, effective treatment on the spot.
Which Conditions Are Covered?
Under Pharmacy First, our pharmacist can treat the following:
- Sinusitis (ages 12 and over)
- Sore throat (ages 5 and over)
- Earache (ages 1 to 17)
- Infected insect bite (ages 1 and over)
- Impetigo (ages 1 and over)
- Shingles (ages 18 and over)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) (women aged 16 to 64)
For eligible conditions, our pharmacist will carry out a clinical assessment, and where appropriate, can supply prescription-only medicines โ including antibiotics โ directly to you.
Why Use 365Med for Pharmacy First?
Accessing Pharmacy First through 365Med means you avoid the wait for a GP appointment entirely. For conditions like a UTI or a sore throat, where every hour of discomfort counts, being able to speak to a pharmacist and receive treatment quickly makes a genuine difference.
Our service is confidential, professional, and entirely NHS-funded โ meaning there is no charge for the consultation or the medicines supplied under the scheme.
How to Access Pharmacy First at 365Med
Visit our Pharmacy First page and follow the steps to begin your consultation. You will be asked a series of clinical questions to help our pharmacist assess your condition safely. This is not a box-ticking exercise โ it is a proper clinical assessment, carried out to NHS standards.
If your condition is not suitable for Pharmacy First treatment, or if our pharmacist identifies anything that needs further investigation, we will advise you on the most appropriate next step โ whether that is your GP, an urgent care centre, or 111.
A Note on Antibiotics
Where antibiotics are clinically appropriate, our pharmacist can prescribe and supply them under the Pharmacy First scheme. We take antimicrobial stewardship seriously โ antibiotics will only be supplied when they are genuinely needed, in line with NICE guidelines.
Pharmacy First is a significant step forward for patient access in the UK. We are here to make the most of it for you.