London, June 2026 – Patients across England will soon gain quicker access to treatments directly from their local pharmacy under a new £340 million government‑funded agreement. The initiative expands the successful Pharmacy First service, enabling qualified pharmacists with independent prescribing qualifications to assess patients and prescribe medicines without GP referrals.
The rollout, scheduled for autumn 2026, is designed to ease pressure on GP surgeries and hospitals by shifting more care into community pharmacies. Patients will be able to receive treatment for common conditions on the high street, reducing unnecessary visits to urgent care centers and A&E.
Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, said the move is central to the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, making better use of pharmacists’ expertise and cutting red tape. Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England’s National Director for Primary Care, emphasized that expanding independent prescribing will improve patient access while reducing strain on other NHS services.
The agreement, reached with Community Pharmacy England, follows record investment in the sector and builds on reforms such as free NHS access to the morning‑after pill, expanded mental health support at pharmacies, and enhanced blood pressure screening. Over 3.3 million Pharmacy First consultations were delivered between March 2025 and February 2026, a 43% increase year‑on‑year, with 86% of patients reporting positive experiences.
David Webb, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, hailed the announcement as a “huge step” toward integrating pharmacies into neighborhood health teams. Leaders across the sector, including Janet Morrison OBE and Malcolm Harrison, welcomed the reforms as a generational opportunity to expand pharmacy care and close funding gaps.
By empowering pharmacists to prescribe medicines across a wider range of conditions, the government aims to deliver faster, more convenient care for patients while strengthening the role of community pharmacies in the NHS.
