Londoners are being urged to make better use of their local pharmacy for everyday health needs as part of Ask Your Pharmacist Week, a national campaign supported by the NHS and community pharmacy leaders.
The campaign highlights how community pharmacists can now treat a range of seven common conditions, including sore throats, ear infections and urinary tract infections, without the need to see a GP. It comes as the NHS expands its Pharmacy First scheme across England to help patients access quicker, more convenient care while easing pressure on local surgeries.
Among those championing the campaign is Faruque Gani, a community pharmacist in East London with more than 30 years of experience serving local patients.
“Pharmacies have changed a lot over the years,” he says. “We’re not just here to hand out prescriptions, we’re trained healthcare professionals who can assess, advise, and treat. For many conditions, people don’t need to wait weeks for a GP appointment anymore. They can walk into their pharmacy and get seen the same day.”
Pharmacists now treating seven common conditions
Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, community pharmacists can now assess and provide treatment, including some prescription medicines, for:
- Earache (ages 1–17)
- Impetigo (1 year +)
- Infected insect bites (1 year +)
- Shingles (18 +)
- Sinusitis (12 +)
- Sore throat (5 +)
- Urinary tract infections (women 16–64)
They can also supply the oral contraceptive pill and emergency contraception for women aged 16 to 64, without the need to see a doctor or nurse.
“This makes healthcare far more accessible, especially for busy families or those who struggle to get a GP appointment,” explains Faruque, who runs a long-established independent pharmacy in London.
“We have private consultation rooms where patients can talk to us in confidence, and if something needs further attention, we’ll refer them straight to the right NHS service.”
Image: Supplied by MMC-UK
Saving time and lives
Research shows that more than 80% of the UK population lives within a 20-minute walk of a pharmacy. Yet many people are still unaware of the full range of services available, often delaying treatment for minor ailments.
“We often see people who waited too long with what started as a small infection,” Faruque says. “By the time they come in, it’s become more serious. My advice is simple: don’t wait and see. We’re here, we’re trained, and we can help you sooner.”
All community pharmacists undergo five years of medical and pharmaceutical training, and their expanded role is part of the NHS plan to provide faster, more local care through trusted professionals.
Pharmacies are open evenings and weekends, and many offer walk-in consultations, no appointment required.
Building healthier communities
The Think Pharmacy First campaign, run in partnership with the NHS and media agency MMC-UK, is part of a nationwide push to encourage people to access treatment closer to home.
Ashnoor Nanji, Strategic Media Lead at MMC-UK, said the campaign aims to show how pharmacists are becoming key figures in community health.
“Pharmacists like Faruque are often the first point of contact for people managing everyday health concerns. They are trained, trusted, and embedded in their communities,” she said. “We want people to see pharmacies as a safe, convenient alternative for quick, professional care.”
Faruque says that beyond the prescriptions and consultations, what he values most are the personal relationships built over decades.
“You see families grow up,” he smiles. “People come back to tell you how their child’s ear infection cleared up, or how you helped them manage their medication. That’s what community healthcare is about, trust, connection, and care.”
What to do
Londoners are encouraged to visit nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst to find out which local pharmacies offer treatment under the new NHS scheme.
“We want people to feel empowered,” says Faruque. “You don’t have to ‘wait and see’ if something gets worse, come and see your pharmacist. We’re here for you.”
