Free NHS Pharmacy First Plus Support
When you develop a common health problem, obtaining appropriate advice doesn’t always require a GP appointment. Right Medicine Pharmacy offers NHS Pharmacy First Plus at participating branches, giving eligible patients access to experienced Independent Prescribing Pharmacists.
These pharmacists have completed additional prescribing qualifications and can assess a wider range of common clinical conditions than those normally managed through the standard NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service. Where clinically appropriate and within their prescribing scope, they can provide advice and prescribe treatment.
The service is free for people who live in Scotland or are registered with a GP practice in Scotland. Availability depends on whether a qualified Independent Prescribing Pharmacist is working at the branch, so contact the pharmacy or book ahead where possible.
What Is Pharmacy First Plus?
NHS Pharmacy First Plus is an enhanced community pharmacy service. It builds on NHS Pharmacy First Scotland, which provides advice and treatment for minor illnesses through pharmacies across Scotland.
Standard Pharmacy First allows pharmacy teams to assess and manage a defined range of minor conditions. Pharmacy First Plus provides access to pharmacists with an independent prescribing qualification, allowing them to assess and treat a broader range of common but potentially more complex conditions.
This does not mean that every health problem can be treated through the service. Each prescribing pharmacist works within their professional competence, training and locally agreed clinical scope.
Who Can Use Pharmacy First Plus?
You may be eligible to use the NHS service if you:
- Live in Scotland
- Are registered with a GP practice in Scotland
- Have an acute health concern that may fall within the prescribing pharmacist’s clinical scope
- Can attend a participating pharmacy when an Independent Prescribing Pharmacist is available
Age restrictions or additional eligibility requirements may apply to particular conditions and treatments. Being eligible for NHS Pharmacy First Scotland does not guarantee that Pharmacy First Plus is available at every branch or that a particular medicine can be prescribed.
Contact the pharmacy before travelling if you are seeking treatment for a child, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a weakened immune system or have a complex medical history.
Conditions the Pharmacist May Assess
Independent Prescribing Pharmacists may be able to assess a range of common acute conditions. Depending on the pharmacist available and their prescribing scope, these could include:
- Urinary tract symptoms
- Ear, nose and throat problems
- Respiratory symptoms and infections
- Skin conditions and infections
- Allergy symptoms
- Eye symptoms and infections
- Other common acute health concerns
This list provides examples rather than a guarantee of treatment. Some symptoms require tests, physical examinations or specialist assessment that cannot be provided through a community pharmacy.
Pharmacy First Plus is generally intended for new or short-term health concerns. Routine management of long-term conditions, ongoing monitoring and repeat medication usually remain with your GP, hospital team or established healthcare service.
What Happens During the Consultation?
The pharmacist will begin by asking about your symptoms and relevant medical history. Consultations can take place in a private area so you can discuss sensitive information more comfortably.
The assessment may include questions about:
- When the symptoms began
- How they have changed or progressed
- Other symptoms you have noticed
- Medical conditions and previous episodes
- Prescription and non-prescription medicines
- Allergies and previous medicine reactions
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Treatment you have already tried
Where appropriate, the pharmacist may carry out observations or a focused clinical examination. The exact assessment depends on your symptoms and the facilities available.
Provide complete and accurate information, even if it does not initially seem connected to the problem. This helps the pharmacist determine whether treatment is suitable and identify symptoms that require assessment elsewhere.
Will the Pharmacist Prescribe Treatment?
The consultation does not automatically result in a prescription. Following the assessment, the pharmacist may:
- Provide self-care guidance
- Recommend an appropriate non-prescription treatment
- Prescribe medicine when clinically appropriate and within their scope
- Advise you to monitor your symptoms
- Refer or direct you to your GP or another NHS service
- Recommend urgent assessment when necessary
Antibiotics are not appropriate for every infection. Many common illnesses are caused by viruses, against which antibiotics do not work. If an antibiotic is unnecessary or unsuitable, the pharmacist will explain the recommended approach instead.
Do not expect or request a particular prescription medicine. The treatment decision must be based on the clinical assessment, relevant guidance and your individual circumstances.
Is Pharmacy First Plus Free?
The NHS Pharmacy First Plus consultation is free for eligible patients. When the prescribing pharmacist issues an appropriate NHS prescription, there is no NHS prescription charge in Scotland.
If you choose to purchase a non-prescription medicine or another retail product, a charge may apply. The pharmacist will explain the available options before you decide.
Do I Need an Appointment?
You may be able to speak to the pharmacy team without an appointment. However, Pharmacy First Plus requires an appropriately qualified Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, and one may not be available at every branch or throughout all opening hours.
Booking or contacting the pharmacy before travelling is therefore recommended. This gives the team an opportunity to confirm:
- Whether the branch provides Pharmacy First Plus
- When an Independent Prescribing Pharmacist is available
- Whether your health concern may be suitable for the service
- Whether you need to bring any information or medicine packaging
NHS Forth Valley provides further information about the enhanced service and its availability through participating local pharmacies on its Pharmacy First Plus information page.
What Should I Bring?
If possible, bring:
- Details of your GP practice
- A current medication list or the original medicine packaging
- Information about allergies and previous reactions
- Relevant hospital or specialist instructions
- Details of treatments already used for the condition
The pharmacy may already hold a record of medicines it has supplied to you, but it may not have complete information about treatment obtained from hospitals, private providers or other pharmacies.
If your question mainly concerns an existing medicine rather than a new acute condition, our Medicine Advice service may be more appropriate.
When Should You Seek Urgent Help?
Pharmacy First Plus is not an emergency service. Call 999 if someone has severe difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke or heart attack, loss of consciousness, a severe allergic reaction, uncontrolled bleeding or another life-threatening symptom.
Seek urgent NHS advice if symptoms are severe, worsening quickly or accompanied by warning signs such as confusion, persistent vomiting, dehydration, a non-blanching rash or significant breathing difficulty.
The pharmacist may stop the consultation and direct you to another service if your symptoms require tests, monitoring or treatment that the pharmacy cannot safely provide. This is an appropriate clinical outcome, not a refusal of care.
How Is This Different From General Health Advice?
All Right Medicine Pharmacy branches can provide general pharmacy guidance and help you identify the appropriate healthcare service. Pharmacy First Plus goes further by providing access to a qualified independent prescriber at participating locations.
If you are unsure which service you need, visit our Health Advice page or contact the pharmacy team. They can ask a few initial questions and explain the most suitable next step.
Get the Right Care Closer to Home
Pharmacy First Plus provides convenient access to clinical assessment and appropriate treatment for common health concerns without automatically requiring a GP appointment. The outcome may be advice, prescribed treatment or referral to a more suitable NHS service.
Arrange a Pharmacy First Plus consultation, or find your nearest Right Medicine Pharmacy and contact the branch to confirm prescriber availability.