UK Parliament
The take-up of Pharmacy First is “not what we would like it to be”, pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock has said.
Speaking at a House of Commons debate on 17 June 2025, Kinnock said that in response to low usage of Pharmacy First, the government is “looking at options” to boost awareness of the service and reduce pressure on pharmacists by enabling them “to operate at the top of their licence”.
These options include streamlining dispensing, with forthcoming hub-and-spoke legislation playing a key role, he added.
Changes to legislation on hub-and-spoke dispensing are due to come into force from 1 October 2025, after the motion was agreed by the House of Lords on 17 June 2025.
Under the amendments, hub-and-spoke dispensing will be permitted between pharmacies owned by different legal entities, if they comply with the relevant requirements.
During the debate, Kinnock referenced funding as one reason for the low take-up of Pharmacy First, adding that the government is working on reforms to the service.
Responding to a question about caps on the number of consultations pharmacists can do under the service, Kinnock said: “Part of that is about the financial arrangements for Pharmacy First, which need to be set at a level that incentivises pharmacists.
“Sadly, given the way in which the scheme was set up under the previous government, those incentives were not working, which is one reason why the take-up of Pharmacy First has not been what it needs to be.”
Kinnock added: “We have to make Pharmacy First work effectively, which means getting the allocation of funding right.
“That is what we are working on in terms of reforms. Now that we have the spending review and the package, that is what we will be delivering.”
Caps to Pharmacy First consultations were introduced in April 2025 and are updated monthly, based on actual service delivery.
Kinnock also announced via a written parliamentary answer on 17 June 2025 that the National Institute of Health and Care Research is conducting an evaluation of Pharmacy First to assess how the service has been implemented across England.
The evaluation will assess the impact of the service on prescribing in general practice, hospital use and access and cost for different patient groups, said Kinnock.
In May 2025, local pharmaceutical committees (LPCs) and local medical committees (LMCs) wrote to health secretary Wes Streeting, urging the government to strengthen Pharmacy First.
In their letter, the LPCs and LMCs in South East London and South West London identified several factors they claim have led to a “restricted patient access to Pharmacy First”, including a “reliance on GP or NHS 111 referrals”, a “narrow scope of treatable conditions”, “lack of integration with care pathways” and “low public awareness”.
