Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has welcomed the introduction of Pharmacy First in her constituency.
For the first time ever, community pharmacies are now be able to offer NHS consultations and supply prescription-only medicines without a prescription from a GP for seven common conditions. These are earache, sinusitis, sore throat, impetigo, infected insect bite, shingles, and uncomplicated UTIs (in women under the age of 65).
Over 10,000 community pharmacies in England have signed up for the programme (95% of the total) including Greenfield pharmacy in New Barnet.
Theresa dropped in to meet Hasil, one of the pharmacists there, to hear about his experience of the new responsibilities Pharmacy First involves. They discussed the uptake from the public, and the training undertaken by Hasil and his colleagues to take on the prescribing role.
Following the visit, Theresa said “Pharmacies are such an important part of our health system and our local high streets. It is great that they are taking on this expanded role enabling them to issue prescription-only medication for a number of conditions.”
“Four in five people live within a 20 minute walk of a pharmacist, staffed by skilled healthcare professionals. It makes so much sense to give them a bigger role. As well as being convenient for their customers, this new programme should also free up many GP appointments for people with more complex conditions.”
“I’ve been campaigning to improve access to GP appointments and warmly welcome Pharmacy First as a means to help deliver that. It was really helpful to hear from Hasil about how the initiative is working. It sounds like it has been very popular with his customers.”
Digital imprint: Promoted by Theresa Villiers MP of 163 High Street, Barnet, EN5 5SU.
