UK pharmacists will supply antibiotics and antivirals

For the first time, UK pharmacists will soon be able to supply antibiotics and antivirals for seven common conditions without a GP prescription as part of the Government’s Primary Care Recovery Plan.

They include sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. Women can also get the oral contraceptive pill without having an appointment with a nurse or GP.

The changes are expected to happen by the next northern hemisphere winter.

The UK Government will invest up to £645 million (about $1.3 billion) over the next two years to expand community pharmacy services, subject to consultation.

Community pharmacies will also be given extra funding to do an extra 2.5 million blood pressure checks per year.

In its Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care, NHS England says it will support research to ensure consistent antibiotic and antiviral use between general practice and community pharmacies.

People may be referred to their pharmacy, NHS 111 or another service as the Government tries to eliminate the 8am rush for GP appointments. There will also be more doctors’ appointments.

“Today’s plans are expected to free up around 15 million GP appointments over the next two years for patients who need them most,” says UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a statement.

“Which means the next time you want to see your GP, you should be able to do so quicker.”

Royal Pharmaceutical Society chair Thorrun Govind says the plans are a game-changer for patients because they will provide them with the care they need when needed. She says they will also help reduce health inequalities, especially in deprived areas, where pharmacies are at the heart of their communities and trusted by patients.

However, Ms Govind says how the scheme is implemented on the ground will be crucial to its success. “The funding must flow to the frontline, who need to be supported to give patients the quality service they deserve,” she says in a statement.

“Providing treatment to help prevent common conditions from becoming worse and requiring more complex treatment later on is better for patients and also cost-effective. Patients can expect to receive trusted advice from pharmacists in their local pharmacy,” adds Ms Govind.

“Over 14,000 pharmacists, trainees and undergraduates have been upskilled through the RPS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, training on exactly the kind of conditions that Pharmacy First will cover,” she explains.

The Royal College of GPs chair, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, is pleased there will be consultation on how giving pharmacists greater prescribing powers for minor illnesses could be implemented safely and in a joined-up way.

“However, while all these initiatives are positive steps, none are the silver bullet that we desperately need to address the intense workload and workforce pressures GPs and their teams are working under – we need thousands more GPs to be able to use these measures effectively to provide the services patients need,” says Professor Hawthorne in a press release.