Pharmacies Given New Powers To Widen Patient Access

Pharmacies in England will be able to prescribe antibiotics and other drugs that are currently prescription-only, the NHS has announced. The BBC reports that the plans will be rolled out over the next two years to give patients better access to treatments, and to ease some of the pressure on GPs. 

Pharmacists will be given the power to write prescriptions for seven common health complaints, including earache, sore throat, sinusitis, impetigo, shingles, infected insect bites, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. The oral contraceptive pill will also be directly available from pharmacies.

Earache is a painful condition that affects both adults and children. It can be caused by an infection or develop as a result of a cold or bout of flu. In most cases, it can be managed with the help of painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. However, a stubborn infection may require a course of antibiotics to help clear it up.

Sore throats are another very common complaint, and often develop as a result of a cold or flu illness. In most cases, they can be treated with soothers and a soft food diet. Only very rarely do they need to be treated with antibiotics, because they are caused by a virus rather than a bacterial infection. 

Sinusitis is a swelling of the sinuses that is most often caused by an infection, so it can respond to antibiotics. However, in the first instance, nasal sprays, drops, or antihistamines may help. Impetigo is a skin infection, causing red sores or blisters to form. It can be treated with antibiotic creams or tablets. 

Shingles is an infection that leads to a blotchy rash appearing on one side of the body only, usually the chest or abdomen. It can be painful and patients may need painkillers and other prescription-only medicines. 

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said funding to pharmacies would be boosted by £645m to provide extra resources. She said: “We are already seeing more than half a million patients a week more in GP surgeries than we were pre-pandemic. But we know that we need to go further to expand services and transform the way we provide care.”

She added: “We are also planning to massively expand the number of people who can have high street blood pressure checks, so 2.5m a year and that means fewer people of course at risk of heart attacks or strokes.”

Sir Stephen Powis, the national medical director for NHS England, told the BBC’s Today Programme: “We know this works. We’ve seen it work in local schemes, and similar schemes are operating in Scotland and Wales. We also know pharmacies want to do it.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed the plan, saying: “We will end the 8am rush and expand the services offered by pharmacies, meaning patients can get their medication quickly and easily.”

However, some commentators raised concerns that the scheme would affect the quality of patient care, and called for further recruitment of GPs. 

If you are looking for Meltus cough syrup, please get in touch with us today.