As qualified health professionals, pharmacists are trained in the use of medicines, managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.
Since January 2024, most community pharmacies across Birmingham and Solihull can provide advice and treatment, if appropriate, for you or members of your family for seven common conditions.
This service is called Pharmacy First.
It’s free*, confidential and may be much quicker than seeing your GP!
Think Pharmacy First
Think Pharmacy First- for parents
The seven conditions pharmacists can offer prescription medicine for are:
- Sinusitis
(adults and children aged 12+)- Sore throat
(adults and children aged 5+)- Earache
(children and young adults aged 1-17)- Infected insect bite
(adults and children aged 1+)- Impetigo
(adults and children aged 1+)- Urinary tract infection
(women aged 16-64)- Shingles
(adults aged 18+)
*Patients already exempt from prescription charges, i.e. children, will still get their treatment for free, for the above listed conditions. Otherwise usual prescription charges will apply.
If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice and support decisions about self-care treatment with over the counter medicines, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.
Visit the NHS website to learn more.