Common Conditions

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has flagged the potential for AI to be used in Pharmacy First and has stressed that healthcare regulation “must not stifle” AI innovation.

New caps on the maximum number of paid Pharmacy First consultations have begun this month, rising between 55% and 94% across different types of pharmacies.

MPs have called for “financial incentives” to be introduced to encourage GPs to "work with pharmacies” and engage with the Pharmacy First service, amid new plans for Pharmacy First ear, nose and throat (ENT) services.

The CCA’s Nick Thayer says Pharmacy First has been “enormously successful” in its first year and he expects 2.5 million consultations by the end of March 2025.

NHS England (NHSE) has launched a “confidential 24/7 text support service” for pharmacists who are feeling “worried or overwhelmed” and need someone to speak to.

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has launched a new checklist, along with other resources, to promote Pharmacy First services in nurseries and schools.

The CCA has said there is an “urgent need to scale up” hypertension screening services in pharmacies despite GP leaders voting for these services to be “terminated with immediate effect”.

The BMA has urged GPs and community pharmacies to “work in a joined-up way” after GP leaders last week voted “overwhelmingly” for pharmacy blood pressure checks to be terminated immediately.

Another pharmacy has been suspended from the Pharmacy First service, with its integrated care board (ICB) citing “high volumes” and “the types of conditions referred” as reasons, C+D has learned.

GP leaders have voted “overwhelmingly” for pharmacy blood pressure checks to be “terminated with immediate effect” at the BMA’s annual GP conference – also calling for Pharmacy First to be “immediately discontinued” and funds “redirected” into general practice.