Pharmacy First
A pharmacist can treat many common illnesses without a GP appointment.
Conditions a pharmacist can treat
Any pharmacy offering Pharmacy First can treat these seven conditions, and give prescription medicine if you need it:
- earache (children aged 1 to 17)
- impetigo (aged 1 and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 and over)
- shingles (aged 18 and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 and over)
- sore throat (aged 5 and over)
- urinary tract infection (UTI), such as cystitis (women aged 16 to 64 who are not pregnant or breastfeeding)
Urine infections (UTIs) in women aged 16 to 64
Women aged 16 to 64 with symptoms of a urine infection (UTI), who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, can get advice and treatment, including antibiotics if needed, from a local pharmacy through NHS Pharmacy First, without seeing a GP. Please go to a pharmacy first rather than using our online form. The pharmacist will refer you to us if you need to see a GP.
The NHS website says to ask for an urgent GP appointment (call us on 0161 357 1600 from 8am) or get help from NHS 111 if you have a UTI and, for example, you have a very high or low temperature, feel hot or cold, or are shivering, you have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs, or you have blood in your pee. Call 999 or go to A&E now if you are confused, drowsy, or have difficulty speaking.
Source: NHS website, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and how pharmacies can help.
New from autumn 2026
Some pharmacies with a prescribing pharmacist can now also treat:
- acne
- scabies
- migraine in adults
- hay fever in children
- outer ear infection in adults
Not every pharmacy offers these yet. Ask your pharmacy before you go.
This service is free as part of your NHS care. Normal prescription charges apply to any medicine.
What else can pharmacists do?
- Give advice on minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains
- Provide emergency contraception
- Give travel vaccinations and advice
- Carry out medicines use reviews
- Provide a needle and syringe exchange service
- Offer stop smoking advice and supply nicotine replacement therapy
- Check your blood pressure
Find a pharmacy
Find a pharmacy near youPage last reviewed: 27 October 2026. Next review due: October 2027. Content owner: Dr Mark Wilshere.