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Welsh government data show that pharmacy consultations through the common ailments service (CAS) increased by over one-third (34%) in 2024/2025, compared with the previous year.
Figures published on 12 March 2026 show that 462,367 CAS consultations were recorded in 2024/2025, up from 344,376 in 2023/2024.
The CAS provides access to free, confidential advice and treatments for 28 common illnesses, including sore throats and urinary tract infections.
“Almost 346,000” people have now used the service, according to a statement accompanying the data.
The figures also show that consultations for sore throat and tonsillitis made up the largest number of consultations (54,747), followed by hay fever (53,483).
Bacterial conjunctivitis were linked to 49,855 consultations, while dry skin and dermatitis accounted for 48,155 consultations.
Female patients attended nearly two-thirds of the consultations (63%, n=290,207).
By age group, the largest proportion of consultations were carried out with children aged between 5–9 years (9%, n=43,919) .
The same data revealed that ‘sore throat test and treat’ consultations rose in 2024/2025 to 53,218 consultations, up 40% from 37,937 in 2023/2024.
Jeremy Miles, Welsh health secretary, said: “Community pharmacies play a vital role in providing healthcare across Wales. Nearly half a million consultations in a single year shows just how much people value being able to walk into their local pharmacy and get the help they need quickly, without having to wait for a GP appointment.
“We are working to ensure more people can receive convenient care closer to home, and expanding access to these services is a key part of that.”
A spokesperson for Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW) said: “[The data show] how effectively pharmacies are helping people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time — often without the need for an appointment.
“This achievement is a real credit to community pharmacy teams and to the patients who continue to trust their local pharmacies.
“But it is also deeply concerning that Welsh government and health boards have allowed such a success story to be put at risk due to their failure to provide the funding necessary to sustain it.
“In recent years, the funding and practical support needed to sustain the network has not kept pace with inflation or with the real, rising costs of running a pharmacy — leaving many teams stretched and uncertain about what comes next,” they added.
In CPW’s view, the spokesperson said: “Without the introduction of an immediate recurrent stabilisation payment of at least £12.8m, there is a real risk that parts of the network will not remain viable, leaving the population facing a potential catastrophe.”
In February 2026, it was announced that community pharmacies in Wales would trial point-of-care testing for C-reactive protein in bacterial respiratory infections, in a bid to support antimicrobial stewardship and provide care closer to home.
