Patients across the UK will be able to get prescription medication directly from a pharmacy, without a prior appointment with a GP.
Millions of patients will receive quicker, more convenient access to care from their high street pharmacy, the NHS announced on May 9, along with a “major new GP access recovery plan.”
Patients will be able to buy prescription medication for seven common conditions including earache, sore throat, or urinary tract infections, straight from their local pharmacy. Half a million women will no longer need to speak to a practice nurse or GP to access oral contraception.
NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard praised the new “ambitious package of measures,” saying it will ease the unprecedented demand for GP appointments….