NHS Pharmacy First Scotland

Did you know that your local pharmacy can provide advice on symptoms as well as treatment for some conditions (including those listed below) via the NHS?

  • Acne
  • Athletes Foot
  • Allergies
  • Backache
  • Blocked or runny nose
  • Cold sores
  • Conjunctivitis (aged over 1)
  • Constipation
  • Cough
  • Cystitis (in women)
  • Diarrhoea
  • Earache
  • Eczema
  • Emergency contraception
  • Headache
  • Head lice
  • Haemorrhoids (piles)
  • Hay fever
  • Impetigo (aged over 2 years)
  • Indigestion
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Pain
  • Period pain
  • Smoking cessation
  • Sore throat (for less than 3 days)
  • Threadworms
  • Thrush
  • Warts
  • UTI (women aged 16 – 25)
  • Verrucas

NHS Pharmacy First is an NHS service which is provided by your local community pharmacy.

If you have a minor illness your Pharmacy is the first place you should go for advice. You do not need an appointment and can go to any community pharmacy. You can use the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland if you are registered with a GP in Scotland or you live in Scotland.

Your pharmacist can give you advice for a minor illness and medicine if they think you need it. Pharmacists, like GP’s, can only provide certain medicines on the NHS. If you want a specific medicine or product you may need to buy it.

If your pharmacist thinks it is better for you to see your GP they may refer you.

The pharmacist will ask you about your symptoms; give you advice on your condition; provide medication (if you need it); refer you to another health professional if they think this is necessary.

For further information contact:

Your local pharmacy NHS Inform helpline (0800 224488) (calls from a landline are free) or NHS Inform Scotland

Date published: 4th December, 2014
Date last updated: 21st May, 2021