NHS community pharmacy services – what are the benefits for practices and patients and how could they evolve?

Pharmacy First enables patients to be referred into community pharmacy for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply. It includes the supply of appropriate medicines for 7 common conditions including earache, sore throat, and urinary tract infections, aiming to address health issues before they get worse. Pharmacies also provide blood pressure checks and contraception services, which helps relieve pressure on general practice. In this episode, recorded in December 2024, a panel of community pharmacists discuss how the role of community pharmacy is developing after a new wave of a public awareness campaign highlighting some of these services has taken place. Are practices and patients now used to thinking ‘pharmacy first’ and what else could community pharmacy deliver for patients in the future? For more information about Pharmacy First visit: https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/ For more information about the NHS Contraception Service visit: https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/nhs-pharmacy-contraception-service/ A transcript of this episode is available on our website - https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/podcast-transcript-transforming-primary-care-nhs-community-pharmacy-services-what-are-the-benefits-for-practices-and-patients-and-how-could-they-evolve/ Contact us: [email protected]