Pharmacists left to plug ‘major gaps’ in allergy care, charity warns

Inadequate allergy training for healthcare professionals leaves pharmacists “on the front line”, covering “major gaps in a dangerously patchy” healthcare system, the founder of a national allergy foundation has warned.

The comments follow the publication of the National Allergy Strategy on 20 April 2026, which said allergy training for healthcare professionals — including pharmacists — is “inconsistent”.

The strategy was developed by the National Allergy Strategy Group (NASG), which includes the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the patient charities Allergy UK, Anaphylaxis UK and the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF).

Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, co-founder and trustee of NARF, told The Pharmaceutical Journal: “Pharmacists are often at the front line of allergy care, dispensing vital advice and devices such as adrenaline pens and inhalers to people with allergies who may only rarely see another healthcare professional.

“Allergy training of NHS healthcare professionals is currently inadequate: mandatory allergy training has only recently been introduced to the GP curriculum, and we need at least another 200 specialist allergists, according to the Royal College of Physicians. This means pharmacists are inevitably being left to plug major gaps in a dangerously patchy and inadequate healthcare system.”

NASG’s strategy has also highlighted the need for all healthcare professionals to be up-skilled in allergy care, suggesting that community pharmacists, in particular, would benefit from training on allergy over-the-counter products and self-care.

“Standard drugs, such as antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, which are mostly available to buy without prescriptions in pharmacies, are cheap and effective if used correctly,” it said.

“Correct treatment of allergic rhinitis can greatly improve quality of life. However, studies have shown that only one individual out of five is educated about managing their symptoms correctly.

“Providing training to pharmacists and staff in general practice can be very helpful in improving the management of the vast majority of these individuals who do not need to see a specialist.

“Basic skills are often missing in community settings, including correct inhaler/nasal spray technique education, training on how to use self-administered adrenaline, trigger avoidance counselling, and food label literacy,” the strategy added.

Ednan-Laperouse commented: “Allergy training for healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, must become far more consistent and robust.”

She added that the charity wanted to see the appointment of an allergy tsar, who could advocate for allergy training for all healthcare professionals.

“Since 2020, [the NARF] has funded almost 100 student bursaries to help create the next generation of allergy specialists, including in pharmacy. We now need leadership from government to turn the National Allergy Strategy into a reality, including the appointment of a national lead to oversee allergy services.”