Common and minor ailment services

GPhC scraps two-year wait for entry to independent prescriber training

Registered pharmacists will be able to begin independent prescribing training at any time, provided they have relevant experience and are able to recognise, understand and articulate the skills required by a prescriber.…

NHS Education for Scotland funds a further 186 independent prescriber training places

The funded places will be allocated first to pharmacists on the waiting list for training.…

Pharmacists should be first point of contact for common clinical conditions, survey suggests

An Ipsos Mori survey of 1,107 members of the Scottish general public also revealed that 87% of respondents thought it was important for pharmacists to prescribe medicines.…

When will England get a ‘Pharmacy First’ service?

Even though details are yet to be announced, a national minor ailments scheme may be on the cards for England. Here is a summary of what we know so far.…

Health board to double number of community pharmacies offering independent prescribing service

The increase in pharmacies offering the independent prescribing service in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in Wales will mean around 15% of pharmacies in the region will offer the service.…

London minor ailments scheme to close at end of March 2020

The ‘Pharmacy first’ scheme — distinct from the Scottish service of the same name — will close on 31 March 2020.…

‘Pharmacy first’ is a big opportunity

The expansion of Scotland’s minor ailments service is welcome, but pharmacy teams need support to deliver it.…

NHS launches movie-inspired campaign to encourage public to visit their pharmacist

Patients are being encouraged to “take the drama out of minor illnesses” by visiting their pharmacist, as part of a movie poster-inspired campaign to encourage greater use of community pharmacies.…

How our pharmacy became the first in North Wales to write prescriptions for minor illnesses

Superintendent pharmacist Steffan John shares his experience of treading new ground in the launch of North Wales’ first acute minor illness service, led by independent prescribing pharmacists.…

Community pharmacies offering minor ailment schemes fall by a third in 2018/2019

The number of community pharmacies offering minor ailment schemes has fallen by a third since 2017/2018, data published by NHS Digital have shown.…