England Expands Pharmacist Prescribing Authority Under £340 Million Deal

More pharmacies across England will be able to prescribe medication for additional conditions beginning this autumn under a new £340 million agreement. The expansion adds five common ailments to the list of conditions pharmacists can treat directly, though the specific conditions have not yet been announced.

The Pharmacy First scheme, launched in 2024, currently allows pharmacists to prescribe for seven conditions including sore throat, earache, sinusitis, shingles, impetigo, infected bites, and urinary tract infections. Patients can also receive advice, over-the-counter treatments, and care for eye, ear, oral, dental, and digestive issues.

Department of Health and Social Care figures show more than 3.3 million consultations took place under the scheme between March 2025 and February 2026. A health minister stated the government is making use of pharmacists' skills to increase access to services and provide care closer to patients' homes.

The same statement noted that independent prescribing is intended to reduce pressure on general practitioners and limit administrative requirements.

The group added that the £340 million investment leaves a £2.5 billion funding gap previously identified by the NHS. The Independent Pharmacies Association, representing about 5,000 pharmacies, stated that the funding does not cover the additional workload required. Representatives expressed concern that some pharmacies may struggle to implement the changes under current funding levels.