As reported by the National Health Executive, community pharmacies are set to take on a larger clinical role from autumn 2026, when qualified independent prescriber pharmacists will be able to assess patients and prescribe medicines directly without the need for a GP appointment
The change marks a significant expansion of the Pharmacy First programme and is intended to improve access to treatment for common conditions by allowing more care to be delivered through local pharmacies.
The move forms part of a wider £340 million investment package agreed with Community Pharmacy England, aimed at expanding services and strengthening the sector’s role within primary care.
Alongside independent prescribing, the funding will support a range of new and enhanced services. These include free access to emergency contraception through NHS pharmacies, additional support for patients taking antidepressants, expanded blood pressure checks to identify undiagnosed hypertension, and measures to improve the resilience of medicine supply chains.
The package will also allow greater flexibility within pharmacy teams, enabling more staff members to take on consultations and other clinical responsibilities.
The investment builds on growing demand for pharmacy-led care. Between March 2025 and February 2026, pharmacies delivered more than 3.3 million Pharmacy First consultations, a 43% increase on the previous year.
Patient feedback has also remained strong, with 86% of users reporting a positive experience, reflecting increasing public confidence in accessing healthcare services through community pharmacies.
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