NHS England to allow pharmacies to prescribe most common medications
2 mins read
Thursday 25 May 2023
NHS England has unveiled plans to make it easier for families to get medications from pharmacies without seeing a GP.
Under the plans, pharmacists will be able to prescribe medications, including antibiotics, for seven common ailments. These are:
- Earache.
- Sore throats.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Infected insect bites.
- Sinusitis.
- Impetigo.
- Shingles.
More people will be able to self-refer for physiotherapy, podiatry and hearing tests and women will be able to get oral contraceptives without seeing a nurse or GP.
The proposals form part of NHS England’s Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care, which includes £240m funding for GPs to make technological improvements.
Some changes could be in place as early as September 2023, subject to negotiations with GP and pharmacy bodies.
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