What is the service?
- Pharmacy First Plus allows Independent Prescribing Pharmacists (IPs) in community pharmacies to diagnose and prescribe treatment for common clinical conditions that go beyond the scope of the standard Pharmacy First service.
- It aims to reduce pressure on GP practices and urgent care by offering quicker, local access to treatment without needing a GP appointment
What is a Common Clinical Condition?
A common clinical condition is a health condition that is frequently encountered in routine clinical practice, is generally straightforward to assess and manage, and can be treated safely within an agreed clinical framework by appropriately trained healthcare professionals. Common clinical conditions are typically self-limiting, minor, or stable conditions that do not usually require complex specialist intervention and may be managed effectively in community settings such as Community Pharmacy. This includes conditions such as uncomplicated urinary tract infections, impetigo, shingles, hay fever, and other minor ailments covered under local or national treatment pathways.
How does it work?
- Access
- Patient visits a participating pharmacy (no GP referral needed).
- Some pharmacies may require an appointment if demand is high.
- Consultation
- A prescribing pharmacist will assess the symptoms.
- They can diagnose and prescribe medication for certain conditions or refer if necessary.
- Conditions Covered
- Examples may include:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Respiratory infections
- Ear, nose & throat issues
- Skin conditions
- Eye infections (with optometry support)
- Allergies and other acute common conditions
- Examples may include:
- Prescribing
- Unlike standard Pharmacy First (which uses NHS-approved medicines and PGDs), Pharmacy First Plus pharmacists can write prescriptions for a wider range of medicines, similar to a GP.
Resources (useful links)
Official NHS Sources
- NHS Inform – Pharmacy Services
This is the main public-facing NHS site for Scotland. It explains how Pharmacy First Scotland works and includes details about pharmacists who can prescribe.
Visit NHS Inform - Community Pharmacy Scotland
This site provides professional guidance, updates, and resources for Pharmacy First Plus, including prescribing frameworks and formulary details.
Community Pharmacy Scotland – Pharmacy First
Conditions & Approved Medicines
- The Pharmacy First Plus Formulary and approved list of medicines are published by Community Pharmacy Scotland.
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Service | Community Pharmacy Scotland - There is currently no standardised list for Pharmacy First Plus but we would expect national guidance to come out soon regarding this.
The below flowchart should be used by the Community Pharmacy when consulting patients. It provides a good overview of the service structure and where the likes of PGDs sit in the wider framework.