NHS Pharmacy First Scotland

How does the service work?

Our pharmacists and their teams are experts in medicines and can help with minor health concerns. They can give you advice and treatment (if you need it) for minor illnesses.

Pharmacists, like GPs, can only provide certain medicines and products as part of Pharmacy First. If you want a specific medicine or product, you may need to buy it. Our pharmacy teams can advise you on this. If they think it would be better for you to see your GP, they may refer you directly or tell you to make an appointment.

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, and in most cases, you don’t have to make an appointment.

When you visit the pharmacy, the pharmacist (or one of their team) will ask you for some information, including your name, date of birth and postcode. They will use this information to set up a Patient Medication Record (PMR) to make a note of any advice and treatment they give you. You can ask to use the pharmacy’s consultation area or room if you want to speak to the pharmacist in private.

The pharmacist will:

• ask you about your symptoms;
• give you advice on your condition; and
• provide medication if you need it.

They may also refer you to another healthcare professional (for example, your GP) if they think this is necessary.

Who is the service for?

• You can use NHS Pharmacy First Scotland if you are registered with a GP practice in Scotland or you live in Scotland. Speak to the pharmacy team if you need further details.

Can I still go to other pharmacies?

• Yes, you can go to any pharmacy to buy medicines, collect prescriptions or use the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service. You don’t need to always use the same one.
• However, if you always use the same pharmacy, the pharmacist can build a record of your treatment, which may help you to manage your condition more effectively. (This record is not shared with anyone else.)