Pharmacy First
Pharmacy First launched as an Advanced Service on 31st January 2024.
Further information can be found via: Pharmacy First – Community Pharmacy England (cpe.org.uk)
To help you maximise your success with pharmacy services, each month we publish an average of two Spotlight on Services newsletters. These include an answer to a common services query we have received, key resources relating to the service and top tips to support you and your team. Click here to view our full Spotlight on Services series
The following key documents have now been published:
- Service specification
- Clinical pathways
- 23 PGDs
- Protocol
Pharmacy caps are based on a pharmacy’s previous service delivery and state the maximum number of consultations which you can receive payment for each month. Further details can be found here. You can deliver additional consultations above the monthly cap but the £17 per consultation service fee will not be paid.
MYS feature to track national service activity
An MYS Claims Report feature has been launched on PharmOutcomes. It’s designed to make the reconciliation of your MYS claims faster and easier and will provide your pharmacy team with a more efficient way to manage and review claims.
For further details, download the MYS briefing
CPE: Initial briefing for pharmacy teams
CPE: Pharmacy owner implementation checklist: Pharmacy First service
CPE: Pharmacist implementation checklist: Pharmacy First service
CPGM Pharmacy First Urgent Meds Supply – Out of Stock Checklist
CPE: Medicines list for clinical pathway consultations
CPE: Videos to talk you through the clinical pathways
CPE briefing: Pharmacy First Urgent Medicines Supply
Cancer Research UK: Summary of key safety netting actions for suspected cancer patients
Pharmacy First – Toolkit (updated May 2025) – We have produced this document to support you to deliver the service.
Spotlight on Services: Pharmacy First – We have produced number of Spotlights dedicated to this service to provide you with tips to support delivery.
Operational Top-Tips Guidance document (updated May 2025) – We have produced this document containing top-tips for contractors in preparation to provide the service.
FAQs Guidance Document (updated May 2025) – We have produced this document containing FAQs alongside guidance for contractors in providing the service.
Remote Consultations Guidance document (updated May 2025) – This document containing practical considerations and other useful information to help you with remote consultations.
Emergency supply of medicines for Pharmacy First (updated May 2026) – We have produced a summary document of general points to consider outlined in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 in the deliverance of Pharmacy First Service.
Urgent escalation (updated May 2025) – We have developed a document which explains the process for urgent escalations.
Non-urgent escalation (updated May 2025) – We have developed a document which explains the process for non-urgent escalations.
CPPE: Pharmacy First – Delivering a Quality Service E-learning available on-demand
This training aims to provide you with the skills to review consultations, improve your confidence, manage people’s expectations around appropriate antibiotic use and much more. Click here to access the training
CPE Webinars: Implementing Pharmacy First
CPE hosted a series of webinars to help pharmacy teams prepare for the new Pharmacy First service, and changes to the Contraception and Hypertension Case-Finding Services.
- Pharmacy First: Getting to know the service (Wed 13th Dec)- Watch on-demand
- Pharmacy First: Getting ready for launch (Mon 15th Jan) Watch on-demand
CPPE: Common Conditions Training
To support you in delivering Pharmacy First and treating common conditions, CPPE have launched a new Common clinical conditions e-learning programme. This includes practical tips and advice on managing over 50 different common conditions.
SPS: Pharmacy First Podcast
In this series pharmacy colleagues and expert clinicians talk about issues surrounding the service and try to debunk clinical myths. Listen now
ECG: Ear Assessment Course
Link to the course here: https://ecgtraining.co.uk/product/ear-assessment-course/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
This is not an exhaustive list of training providers – there are additional private companies that provide training at a cost
Claims for Pharmacy First must be submitted monthly by the 5th of the month following the month of provision
CPE have published a page containing a range of FAQs
When providing a consultation for one of the seven clinical pathways, additional information for patients can be found at Pharmacy First Clinical Pathways – online information resources for patients and medicines.org.uk/emc
NHSE promotional materials – You can use these in your pharmacy and across your website and social media platforms to promote the service
Pharmacy First – Promoting the service to patients – Checklist
NHS GM – Videos to promote the service to patients
CPE have published a template letter/email that can be sent to GP practices introducing the service
They have also published a briefing for GP practice teams that can also be sent with the letter/email.
A breakdown of all referral criteria and a quick reference guide has been produced for use by GPs to identify which patients can be referred to pharmacy as part of this new service. Please note that these documents have not been signed off by the NHS.
Pharmacy First template PowerPoint presentation for LPCs (general practice colleagues)
Below we have included links to documents that have been sent to GP practices in relation to this service. These have been uploaded for your information and reference.
NW 2024 PF Briefing Pack for GP Practice Teams
NW Pharmacy First GP support pack letter
Pharmacy First – explainer summary for general practice
CPE have published a range of new resources that you can use when talking to GPs about Pharmacy First. this include an animated video that explains how GP practices can refer patients and information about how the service works.
These can be found on the CPE Pharmacy First page: https://cpe.org.uk/national-pharmacy-services/advanced-services/pharmacy-first-service/
PharmOutcomes have launched a Resource Centre to support users with Pharmacy First. This area hosts a number of useful items including:
- A training video for the new NHS Pharmacy First service
- How to join an affinity group
- Get ready for Pharmacy First – Service guide
- PharmOutcomes Registration guide- How to sign up
Whilst the service has three elements, patients can only self-refer into the 7 Clinical Pathways. Patients requiring advice on minor illnesses must be referred by their GP, NHS 111 or Urgent Emergency Care (UEC) centres for you to be able to claim payment for the service. Only NHS111 or UEC centres can refer into the emergency medicine supply element of Pharmacy First.
Fees
The consultation fee for Minor illness and Clinical Pathway consultations is £17. The fee for urgent supply consultations is £15.
Monthly Payment Banding
- £500 for those providing 20-29 Clinical pathway consultations within a month; and
- £1000 for those pharmacies that provide 30 or more Clinical pathway consultations within a month.
- Further information about claiming can be found on CPE website
Patient Survey
A short survey has been developed for patients to complete after receiving this service.
