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Pharmacists Now Treat Migraines & Acne!
10 Sep
Summary
- Pharmacists in England can now treat 12 common conditions.
- Five new conditions include migraines, acne, and ear infections.
- This aims to ease pressure on GPs and improve patient access.
Beginning this autumn, individuals in England will have direct access to pharmacy treatments for 12 common ailments without needing to consult a GP first. This expansion adds migraines, acne, scabies, ear infections, and severely blocked noses to the existing list of seven treatable conditions. The initiative, part of the Pharmacy First scheme, seeks to reduce the strain on general practitioners and emergency services while ensuring prompt and convenient care for everyday health issues.
The rollout will commence with a few hundred pharmacies and is planned to extend to thousands across England. This change is expected to save people valuable time, eliminating the need to take time off work or endure long waits for routine appointments. The Migraine Trust has welcomed the news, highlighting it as an opportunity for faster and improved care pathways for migraine sufferers.
While the expansion is anticipated to transform the patient experience for common health concerns, pharmacy bodies have raised concerns about adequate funding to support the increased workload. They advocate for greater investment in the pharmacy network to fully realize its potential in addressing everyday health needs. The Pharmacy First scheme, launched in 2024, has already facilitated millions of consultations.
