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Pick the closest match. These are the seven conditions pharmacists treat under the NHS Pharmacy First service. This is a guide to the right service, not a diagnosis.
The seven conditions and their age rules come from the NHS Pharmacy First service specification (NHS England) and its clinical pathways.
NHS age rules differ by condition: sinusitis from 12, sore throat from 5, earache 1 to 17, insect bites and impetigo from 1, shingles from 18, urinary infection women 16 to 64. The pharmacist confirms this in store.
Age rules from the NHS Pharmacy First service specification (NHS England).
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Confusion, drowsiness, or difficulty speaking
- A rash that does not fade when pressed
- Symptoms that are severe or getting rapidly worse
From NHS guidance on when to call 999 and when to use 111.
A pharmacist can see you under NHS Pharmacy First
Bring your symptoms to any Allied Pharmacy. The pharmacist will check eligibility, give advice and, where appropriate, supply treatment. No GP appointment needed.
The consultation is free. If a prescription medicine is supplied, the usual NHS prescription charge applies per item unless you are exempt, so bring proof of exemption if you have it.
Book an appointmentRead about this serviceFind your nearest pharmacyWalk-ins are available at most branches, subject to pharmacist availability. This is general information, not a diagnosis. Eligibility and age criteria apply. If you are worried, or symptoms do not improve, speak to a pharmacist or your GP. Call 111 if you need advice now, and 999 in an emergency.
Based on the NHS Pharmacy First service specification (NHS England) and NHS guidance on when to use 111. All our sources
Please get urgent help
Call 999 or go to A&E now if someone is confused, drowsy, has difficulty speaking or breathing, has chest pain, or has a rash that does not fade when pressed. Do not drive yourself to A&E.
For anything else on this list, call 111 for advice now.
Call 999Call 111NHS 111 onlineFrom NHS guidance on when to call 999 and when to use 111.
A pharmacist can treat a UTI for women aged 16 to 64. It needs a GP or 111 instead if any of these apply:
- A man, or trans or non-binary and assigned male at birth
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Diabetes, or a weakened immune system
- Uses a catheter
- Keeps getting UTIs (2 in 6 months, or 3 in 12 months)
- Blood in the pee, or pain in the lower tummy or back just under the ribs
- A very high or low temperature, feeling hot or cold, or shivering
- Symptoms getting worse quickly, or not better within 2 days of treatment
- Flu-like illness, or feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
From the NHS page on urinary tract infections and the Pharmacy First clinical pathways.
A pharmacist can treat shingles for adults aged 18 or over. It needs an urgent GP appointment or 111 instead if any of these apply:
- Pregnant, or breastfeeding with the rash on the breast
- A weakened immune system (for example chemotherapy, a transplant, HIV, or high-dose steroids)
- The rash is on the face, head or neck, around an eye or the nose; a red or painful eye; sight affected or light hurts the eyes
- The rash is on both sides of the body or in more than one area
- Feeling very unwell, confused, drowsy, a stiff neck, or weakness in the face, an arm or a leg, or trouble controlling the bladder or bowel
From the NHS page on shingles and the Pharmacy First clinical pathways.
Please see a GP or call 111
With these symptoms or circumstances, this needs checking by a GP or NHS 111 rather than being treated at the pharmacy. Ask for an urgent GP appointment, or call 111.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if the person is confused, drowsy, has difficulty speaking, has new weakness in the face, an arm or a leg, has lost control of the bladder or bowel, or has a stiff neck with light hurting the eyes or a rash that does not fade when pressed.
Call 111NHS 111 onlineCall 999 if someone is seriously ill, has difficulty breathing, chest pain, or a rash that does not fade when pressed.
From the NHS pages on urinary tract infections and shingles.
Outside the Pharmacy First age for this
Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, this condition is treated at the pharmacy for people . A pharmacist can still see you, give advice and suggest what may help. For treatment, speak to your GP or call 111.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if the person has difficulty breathing or chest pain, is confused or drowsy, has sudden difficulty speaking, has new weakness in the face, an arm or a leg, has lost control of the bladder or bowel, has a stiff neck with light hurting the eyes, or has a rash that does not fade when pressed.
Call 111Find your nearest pharmacyAge rules from the NHS Pharmacy First service specification (NHS England).
We offer more than Pharmacy First
Browse the full list of NHS and private services, or ask the team at your local pharmacy. For advice now call 111; in an emergency call 999.
Browse all servicesFind your nearest pharmacyFrom NHS guidance on when to call 999 and when to use 111.
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