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Pharmacy First

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PDA warns against ‘raising public expectations’ with Pharmacy First expansion

Promoting service as a fast walk-in option risks causing conflict, says PDA

15 Sep 2026

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Health minister hints migraine could be added to Pharmacy First in Lords debate

Baroness Merron was asked if Labour will “include and fund” migraine in the scheme.

24 Mar 2026

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Coroner: Failure to renew methotrexate advice since Pharmacy First creates ‘ambiguity’

Guidelines from 2017 now lead to 'ambiguity' since Pharmacy First launch, inquest finds

25 Feb 2026

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LMCs to vote on ‘reallocating’ Pharmacy First money to general practice

General practice 'undermined' by pharmacy services, LMC conference to hear

30 Oct 2025

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Reminder: Revised Pharmacy First clinical pathways from October

The updated pathways contain new Gateway Points and will come into effect in October.

02 Sep 2025

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Pharmacies asked to record sore throat consultations for PQS audit

Audit will focus on antimicrobial stewardship in sore throat consultations.

12 Aug 2025

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NPA: Government must ‘turbo-charge’ Pharmacy First in NHS 10-year plan

An analysis by the National Pharmacy Association found having a service similar to the one in Scotland could save 14 million GP appointments each year.

06 Jun 2025

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CCA: Pharmacies may stop Pharmacy First because of ‘bundling’ requirement

Company Chemists' Association chief executive Malcolm Harrison said pharmacies should be allowed to provide home blood pressure monitoring as well as ABPM.

02 Jun 2025

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Pharmacy First consultation in Scotland helped diagnose leukaemia in patient

Independent prescriber Victoria Lang noticed the patient was unwell and became more concerned after going through their medical history.

14 Apr 2025

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Just over half of £645m Pharmacy First funding spent and NMS fee split

Some £204 million was spent in the first year and £145 million in the second year, taking the total to £349 million and leaving £296 million.

08 Apr 2025

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CCA: Pharmacy First could free up 40m GP appointments

Trade body says prescribing-led service would provide launchpad for further expansion.

03 Feb 2025

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Independents reveal struggles with Pharmacy First as service marks one year

Pharmacists told Independent Community Pharmacist their experiences of the service had largely been negative for a variety of reasons.

17 Jan 2025

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GP group makes dodgy claims as it pushes to strip pharmacies’ prescribing rights

Tyneside LMC to propose controversial motion at forthcoming national conference.

08 Nov 2024

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Pharmacy Show 2024: Increase conditions under Pharmacy First, insists CCA

CCA head of policy Nick Thayer said Pharmacy First had "arguably the most successful start to any national service across the UK."

14 Oct 2024

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NHSE is ‘investing to significantly improve’ Pharmacy First roll-out, says ChPO

David Webb said NHSE is working with pharmacy and GP IT suppliers so pharmacists can update patients' records after a Pharmacy First consultation.

01 Oct 2024

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BREAKING: Pharmacy First threshold reduced to 20 for October

Threshold cut in light of continuing contractor concerns, says Community Pharmacy England.

30 Sep 2024

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