The 7 health conditions you can get a prescription for without seeing GP (2025)

It can be hard to get an appointment to see a GP but there are some ailments you can still get a NHS prescription for

Over the winter months the NHS faces significant strain as bugs and infections rise. This can make getting an appointment with your GP increasingly difficult.

However, for certain conditions, you might be able to bypass the wait and receive treatment without a trip to your doctor. Through the Pharmacy First Service, you can get prescriptions for seven conditions simply by visiting your local chemist.

Boots has highlighted a variety of common ailments that can be readily addressed, from ear infections to sore throats. Participating pharmacists are equipped to offer guidance on managing the illness and, if necessary, can issue medication.

They explained: "You can access advice and prescription treatment for seven common conditions through the NHS Pharmacy First Service at Boots. From sore throats to UTIs, our pharmacists are on hand to assess and provide treatment, if appropriate, for certain conditions - all without an appointment."

NHS England reports that over 10,000 pharmacies have joined Pharmacy First – representing more than 95% of all pharmacies in England. You can locate your nearest one by checking the NHS website, reports Surrey Live.

The service states: "You can get treatment for these conditions by walking into the pharmacy or contacting them virtually. GP receptionists, NHS 111 and providers of emergency care will also be able to direct patients to pharmacies, that offer the service, if contacted."

"By reducing the number of patients with common conditions, needing blood pressure checks or oral contraception visiting a GP, Pharmacy First aims to free up 10 million GP appointments a year by next winter for more complex diagnosis. This will give GPs time and space to see patients with more complex conditions."

"Four in five people in England can reach a community pharmacy within a 20-minute walk and there are twice as many pharmacies in the most deprived communities, making access to care quicker and more convenient."

Boots has outlined the seven conditions for which you can get prescriptions through the service - here's what they say:

Ear infection

Painful ears can be a sign of an infection. The NHS Pharmacy First Service is available to those aged from one to 17 years with symptoms of the problem.

Boots states: "Ear infections are especially common in children and can affect one or both ears." Symptoms of ear infections include:

• Burning or dull ear pain
• Pain that either comes and goes or is constant

Sore throat

Feeling under the weather? A sore throat can cause discomfort and pain when swallowing, leading to some common symptoms.

Sore throats are typically caused by viruses like a cold or the flu, smoking or occasionally bacteria. Other symptoms of a sore throat may include:

• a dry, scratchy throat,
• redness in the back of your mouth
• bad breath
• a mild cough
• swollen and red tonsils
• swollen glands in your neck.

The NHS Pharmacy First Service for sore throat is available for individuals aged five and over, if suitable.

Shingles

"Struggling with a painful rash? Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it," say Boots. Symptoms include:

• A headache
• Feeling generally unwell
• Pain, burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin

The NHS Pharmacy First Service for shingles is available for individuals aged 18 and over, if suitable.

Sinusitis

This is a common infection that causes the sinuses to swell. Symptoms include:

• A blocked or runny nose
• A green or yellow mucus from your nose
• Pain and tenderness around your eyes, cheeks or forehead

The NHS Pharmacy First Service for sinusitis is available for individuals aged 12 and over, if suitable.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that usually begins as red sores or blisters (it can be harder to see on brown or black skin). It normally appears on exposed areas of skin, such as your hands or around the mouth and nose.

Eventually, these sores burst, leaving crusty, golden-brown patches. These patches may get bigger, spread to other parts of the body, become itchy or mildly painful.

Pharmacists can offer advice and treatment for impetigo. This includes prescription treatment for individuals aged 1 and over where appropriate.

Infected insect bites and stings

Children and adults aged over one, except pregnant women under 16, can get treatment for bites and stings if they become infected. Symptoms include:

• Redness of the skin
• Pain or tenderness
• Swelling with skin feeling hot to the touch

But the experts warn it is vital to seek immediate medical attention at A&E if you:

• Have a severely weakened immune system, and have signs/symptoms of infection
• Have signs of anaphylaxis
• Have stings where there is risk of airway obstruction (e.g. in the mouth or throat) or concerns of orbital cellulitis from bite or sting around the eyes

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections

If you are a woman aged 16-64, you can get treatment for an uncomplicated Urinary tract infection (UTI).

A UTI causes inflammation of the bladder. Symptoms of UTIs include:

• Pain, burning or stinging when you pee
• Peeing more often and urgently than usual
• Pee that's dark, cloudy or strong-smelling