Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Pharmacy First launch

31 January 2024 · Department of Health and Social Care

Proposed by Andrea Leadsom Con South Northamptonshire

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • Pharmacy First launches on January 31, 2024, allowing patients to obtain prescription-only medicines for common conditions from pharmacies.
  • The service includes antibiotics and antivirals for seven common health issues.
  • Pharmacy First is expected to free up around 10 million GP appointments annually.

Issue summary

The statement announces the launch of Pharmacy First, a service enabling patients to receive prescription-only medicines for common health conditions from community pharmacies without visiting a GP.

Action requested

Pharmacy First will be launched on January 31, 2024, and aims to supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals, for seven common conditions. The service will free up around 10 million GP appointments annually once scaled, supported by significant new funding.

Key facts

  • Pharmacy First was announced in May 2023 as part of the Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care.
  • Four in five people in England can reach a community pharmacy within a 20-minute walk.
  • 94 percent of pharmacies have signed up to deliver Pharmacy First from January 31, 2024.
  • The service will release around 10 million appointments in general practice per year once scaled.
  • Pharmacy First enables pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions without a GP visit.
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