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The number of people using Pharmacy First Scotland at least once per year has risen by 59% since 2021/2022, according to the latest figures on the scheme.
In a report, published on 27 October 2026, Public Health Scotland (PHS) revealed that 1,972,005 people — or 36% of the Scottish population — used the service at least once in 2025/2026, compared with 1,242,842 in 2021/2022.
The increase in Pharmacy First usage was seen in both sexes, all age groups and all levels of deprivation, the report noted.
It also highlighted that in 2025/2026, 81% of users received an item, such as tablets or cream, at least once, while others received advice only or were referred to another healthcare professional.
60% of those using Pharmacy First Scotland were female, while use was highest among children aged 0 to 9 years, with 520 users per 1,000 population, the data showed.
The report also noted that the service was used more frequently in more deprived areas, at 408 per 1,000 people in the most deprived one-fifth of the population, compared with 336 per 1,000 in the least deprived one-fifth.
The scheme in Scotland covers a wide range of conditions including backache, cold sores, acne, mouth ulcers, headlice, oral thrush, piles, period pain, cystitis in women and more.
Increased use was also observed in the Community Pharmacy Urgent Supply (CPUS) service, which allows community pharmacists to supply up to one prescribing cycle of a patient’s repeat medicines or appliances when they cannot get a prescription, the report continued.
The data also revealed that in 2025/2026, 626,462 people — which is 11% of the population — used CPUS at least once, up 26% from 498,555 in 2021/2022. As with Pharmacy First, the rise was seen across all groups reported, the report stated.
The report underscored that the use of CPUS rose with age: in the 0 to 9 age group, 34 per 1,000 people used it, compared with 328 per 1,000 among those aged 90 years and older. Patients aged 50 to 79 years made up 55% of users, while 58% of CPUS users were female, it added.
Laura Wilson, director for Scotland at the Royal College of Pharmacy, commented: “These latest figures show that more and more people in Scotland are choosing community pharmacy as their first point of contact for everyday healthcare needs.
“With millions of consultations delivered and use of the service continuing to grow, Pharmacy First demonstrates the value of accessible, highly skilled healthcare professionals in improving patient access to care.”
Gordon Winter, policy pharmacist at Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS), said: “The development and delivery of the service is testament to the work delivered by the community pharmacy teams across Scotland, and something to celebrate and truly value as part of the primary care network.”
In a press release shared with The Pharmaceutical Journal on 28 October 2026, CPS said that the increased demand on the service — which relieves pressure on other parts of the healthcare system — should be recognised with continued long-term investment in the community pharmacy sector.
