UK pharmacies expand role to treat more minor illnesses by 2026

Community pharmacies in the UK are taking on a bigger role in treating minor illnesses. The move aims to ease pressure on GP surgeries and emergency departments. A recent government investment will further expand their services from later this year. The Pharmacy First programme currently allows pharmacists to prescribe medicines for seven common conditions. Between March 2025 and February 2026, over 3.3 million consultations were handled through the scheme. Patients with minor illnesses are now being encouraged to visit pharmacists first for advice and treatment.

From autumn 2026, the programme will cover five additional conditions. The expansion is backed by £340 million in government funding. It also aims to cut bureaucracy and make treatment more accessible closer to home. Newly qualified pharmacists with independent prescribing qualifications will start joining the workforce later this year. By 2026, all newly trained pharmacists are expected to qualify as independent prescribers. This will allow them to assess and treat patients without a GP referral for certain conditions.

The changes mean pharmacies will handle more minor illnesses, reducing strain on GPs and hospitals. With more prescribers entering the system, patients will have faster access to treatment. The expansion builds on the programme’s success, which has already delivered millions of consultations across the country.