STORY
Patients in England will be able to receive more NHS treatments directly from community pharmacists under a new £340 million Government-funded deal. The Department of Health and Social Care said pharmacists with Independent Prescribing qualifications will be able to assess patients and prescribe medicines directly from autumn 2026. Ministers said the move would build on the Pharmacy First service, improve access to treatment for common conditions and reduce unnecessary referrals back to GPs, urgent treatment centres and A&E.
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock said the change formed part of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and would make greater use of highly skilled pharmacists. NHS England said community pharmacies already played a vital role in providing care closer to home, while Chief Pharmaceutical Officer David Webb said it would be the first time community pharmacists could prescribe NHS medicines across a range of conditions as a nationally commissioned service.
The Government said more than 3.3 million Pharmacy First consultations were delivered between March 2025 and February 2026, up 43% on the previous 12 months, with 86% of users reporting a positive experience. Community Pharmacy England welcomed the agreement as a first step towards making fuller use of pharmacists’ clinical expertise, while sector representatives said the deal also recognised the financial pressures facing pharmacies.