THE NATIONAL Health Service has announced that hundreds of thousands of people in the South East have received treatment and support from high-street pharmacies since the launch of the Pharmacy First initiative.
Over 350,000 people in the region had been treated for seven common conditions without the need to visit a GP since the programme was launched in January last year.
Between then and February this year, 353,394 consultations have taken place at pharmacies across the region, providing treatment for seven common conditions, minor illnesses and urgent medicine supply.
The initiative sees pharmacies denoted as the first port of call for treatment of sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
The NHS says that Pharmacy First has meant more people can get care closer to home, without the need to make a GP appointment, as it focuses on improving primary care access and shifting from hospital to community.
It comes ahead of the publication of a 10 Year Health Plan.
The most common condition seen via Pharmacy First in the South East was sore throats, (111,226), followed by uncomplicated UTIs (92,633).
In February 2025 alone, 12,828 consultations were undertaken for acute sore throats.
Inderjit Sanghera, Chief Pharmacist, for the NHS in the South East, said:
“Pharmacy First has provided a vital service to patients across the region, and it is brilliant to see that South East residents are using the service so keenly.
“These figures demonstrate the real impact of pharmacy-led consultations, easing pressures on GP practices and ensuring people receive fast, expert care within their communities.”
