NHS Pharmacy First Scotland allows community pharmacies to give people expert help for treating conditions such as sore throats, earache and cold sores, along with common clinical conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTI's).  Pharmacy teams offer advice, treatment or referral to other healthcare team if required.

Minor ailments that community pharmacists can treat include:

• Acne 
• Allergies (over 1's)
• Athlete's foot
• Backache
• Blocked or runny nose
• Cold sores
• Constipation
• Cough
• Cystitis (in women and over 16's) 
• Diarrhoea
• Earache 
• Eczema
• Headache
• Headlice
• Haemorroids/Piles (over 18's)
• Hayfever (over 1's)
• Impetigo
• Indigestion (over 12's)
• Mouth ulcers
• Pain
• Period pain (over 10's)
• Ringworm
• Scabies (over 2's)
• Shingles (over 18's)
• Sore skin conditions such as cellulitis or insect bites (over 18's)
• Sore throat
• Threadworms (over 2's)
• Thrush
  • Vaginal (aged 16-60 only)
  • Oral (over 4 months only)
• Urinary tract infections (UTI's) in women (over 16's)
• Verrucas 
• Warts

How do I use the service?

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is available from all pharmacies in Scotland that dispense NHS prescriptions.

You can choose which pharmacy to use.  In most cases you don't have to make an appointment.  When you visit the pharmacy they will ask you for some information including your name, date of birth and postcode.

The pharmacist, or a member of their team, will

• ask you about your symptoms
• give you advice on your condition
• provide medication (if you need it)
• refer you to other healthcare professional if they think this is necessary
• set up a Patient Medication Record (PMR) to make a note of any advice and treatment they give you