Scots are being encouraged to think ‘pharmacy first’ for help with minor illnesses and common conditions as a new service launches.

Community pharmacies can give expert advice on treating various minor illnesses and conditions including earache, sore throats, cold sores, and urinary tract infections under the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.

Pharmacy teams can refer patients for further investigation or more specialist treatment if needed. £10m is being invested over the next three years in the new service that replaces the minor ailment service, but unlike its predecessor, there are no restrictions on who can use Pharmacy First.

The minor ailment service was only available to certain groups, including children up to the age of 19 who were in full-time education, people aged over 65 and pregnant women.

Many more people will now be able to get medicines from their pharmacist without having to go to their GP for a prescription.

Anyone who lives in Scotland can make use of the Pharmacy First service, including those who may not be registered with a GP practice, such as people experiencing homelessness and gypsy travellers.

The Scottish Government says it wants people to continue to use their local pharmacy as a first port of call for medical advice, as they did during the height of lockdown.

During the pandemic Scotland’s pharmacy teams were left as almost the last ones standing when it came to providing walk-in healthcare.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says Pharmacy First gives access to “the right care in the right place”, enabling people to get medical support closer to home and often with no waiting time or appointments needed.

She added: “While the NHS is there for all of us, we don’t all need to go to accident and emergency.

“For many of us, it is not the right place for the care we need. NHS Pharmacy First Scotland provides a local service, giving local access to healthcare help for many illnesses.”

Community Pharmacy Scotland chair Martin Green says it recognises the role the community pharmacy network can play in helping patients and the wider NHS team by offering consultations for anyone suffering from a minor illness.

“We look forward to community pharmacy demonstrating its value with the Scottish public through this service and developing it further in years to come in line with the needs of the public and the NHS,” he added.

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