NHS expands Pharmacy First scheme to cover more conditions from autumn
NHS expands Pharmacy First so pharmacists can treat acne, migraines, scabies and ear infections without a GP appointment from autumn.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The NHS is expanding its Pharmacy First scheme, allowing pharmacists to treat patients for five additional conditions without a GP appointment. From autumn, people in England will be able to get treatment for acne, migraines, scabies, rhinitis and ear infections directly at their local pharmacy. The move is part of a wider effort to reduce pressure on GP surgeries and A&E departments.
The scheme was first rolled out in February 2024 and has already been used by 14 million people. NHS England data shows that between 2024 and 2025, around 77,000 people went to emergency departments for conditions linked to ear infections, and around 50,000 for migraines. The government hopes that by making these treatments available in pharmacies, fewer people will turn up at A&E or wait for GP appointments.
The expansion adds five conditions to the seven already covered under the original scheme. It comes as figures show that around 23% of urgent clinical appointments at GPs are having to wait more than a day to be seen. The knock-on effect on A&E departments has been significant, with more than six and a half million extra people trying to access them compared to 2011, and costs rising by a third over the past eight years.
The scheme has been praised by health officials as a way to help people walk into their local pharmacies and be treated on the spot. Other initiatives, such as referring patients from opticians to pharmacies for minor eye conditions, are also being tried in some parts of London.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | Sky News |
|---|---|---|
| Around 23% of urgent clinical appointments at GPs are having to wait more than a day to be seen. | · | |
| Around 77,000 people went to A&E for ear infections and 50,000 for migraines between 2024 and 2025. | · | |
| The Pharmacy First scheme has been used by 14 million people since February 2024. | · | |
| The scheme aims to reduce pressure on A&E services. | · | |
| The scheme offers treatment for acne, migraines, scabies, and certain ear infections. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News provided the most detailed coverage, focusing on the practical benefits of the expansion, the scale of the scheme's use, and the data behind the decision. It highlighted the pressure on GPs and A&E departments, and included specific figures on emergency visits and waiting times. The tone was informative and supportive of the government's approach.
- “It'll allow more people to skip their GPs instead be treated at the pharmacies for the conditions that you mentioned their migraines and acne along with scabies rhinitis and ear infections”
- “in that time 14 million people have accessed the scheme”
- “around 23% of urgent clinical appointments at GPs are having to wait more than a day to be seen”
Channel 5 gave a brief, straightforward news bulletin mention, focusing on the timing and the list of conditions. It did not provide any data or context about the scheme's history or impact. The tone was neutral and factual, simply announcing the change.
- “Pharmacists will be able to treat patients for more illnesses from this autumn.”
- “Treatment for acne, migraines, scabies and certain ear infections will be offered as part of a new scheme to take pressure off A&E services.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.