What is NHS Pharmacy First Scotland?
It is the NHS service provided by your local community pharmacy to use if you are suffering from a minor condition, that may include any of those listed below. The pharmacist or a member of the pharmacy team can then help you with either advice for self-care, refer you on to another suitable healthcare professional or if appropriate prescribe a product to you. All of this covered by the NHS Pharmacy First service – no appointment necessary!
How do I access the service?
When you visit the pharmacy, the pharmacist (or one of the pharmacy team) will
- ask you for some information, including your name, date of birth and postcode.
- ask you about your symptoms;
- give you advice on your condition;
- provide medication (if you need it) and/or refer you to another healthcare professional (for example, your GP) if they think this is necessary.
How does the service work?
Our pharmacists and their teams are experts in medicines and can help with minor health concerns.
We can give you advice and treatment (if you need it) for minor illnesses such as the following.
Acne | Allergies | Athletes foot | Backache | Blocked or runny nose | Cold sores | Constipation | Cystitis (in women) | Diarrhoea | Earache | Eczema | Headache | Head lice | Haemorrhoids (piles) | Hay fever – Impetigo | Indigestion | Mouth ulcers | Sore throat | Threadworms | Thrush | Warts | Verrucas
Pharmacists, like GPs, can only provide certain medicines and products on the NHS. All of these are proven to be effective for treating your condition. If you want a specific medicine or product, you may need to buy it. The pharmacist will give you advice on this.
If the pharmacist thinks it is better for you to see your GP, they may refer you directly or tell you to make an appointment.
Who is the service for?
Anyone registered with a GP in Scotland, or who lives in Scotland, can access this service.
