What is Pharmacy First?

The Pharmacy First scheme provides professional health care advice, treatments, and medicines for common illnesses from selected Lambeth pharmacies to those most in need.

The benefits of Pharmacy First:

• Pharmacists are highly qualified health care professionals who are experts in medicines
• Pharmacies are open during normal business hours and many are open late, on Saturdays and on Sundays
• It may be quicker to see your pharmacist than wait for a GP appointment
• Help available from 31 local pharmacies (see list below) in Lambeth without the need for an appointment
• Medicines offered are free of charge if you meet the eligibility criteria (see below)
• Anything you say to the pharmacist is treated with confidence

How Does it Work?

If you are feeling unwell and may have any of the common illnesses listed below, you can access Pharmacy First at the selected pharmacies at the bottom of the page in two ways:

1. You can present yourself to your local participating pharmacy. You will be seen by a pharmacist and can ask for a private consultation
2. Your GP practice or health care services may signpost you to a participating pharmacy

Your local participating pharmacist will explain the service to you and ask you for some details including your name, date of birth, postcode, and GP practice.

Common Illnesses included:

• Allergic rhinitis (Hay fever)
• Athlete’s foot
• Cold sores
• Conjunctivitis
• Constipation
• Contact dermatitis
• Colds
• Diarrhoea
• Dry/sore eyes
• Indigestion
• Ear wax
• Fever
• Haemorrhoids
• Headache
• Headlice
• Insect bites
• Itching due to chicken pox
• Minor burns & scalds
• Mouth ulcers
• Muscle / Joint pain
• Nappy rash
• Scabies
• Soft tissue injury
• Sore throat
• Stings
• Teething
• Threadworm
• Vaginal thrush

Will I have to pay for my advice or medicine?

All advice is free and if your pharmacist believes the condition needs further review, they will recommend where to get more advice.

You are eligible if you are a Lambeth residents or registered with a Lambeth GP practice and meet the following criteria:

• NHS low income scheme and in possession of HC2 certificate
• Income support or income related employment allowance
• Income based job seeker’s allowance
• Tax credit exemption certificate
• Pension credit guarantee credit
• Universal credit and meets certain criteria
• Homeless & in possession of ‘Letter of Homelessness’
• Young people aged 16,17 or 18 years and in full time education, part-time education, or undertaking an accredited level 1 apprenticeship
• Patients aged under 16 years who have at least one parent who would be eligible as per list above

Please note that those aged under 3 months old or who are pregnant would not be eligible for this scheme.

Will I always get medication?

On some occasions you may not need medication and will receive professional healthcare advice.

If the pharmacist feels it is appropriate to signpost you elsewhere, they will highlight the most suitable service to you.

Medicines will ONLY be supplied when you have a current condition in need of treatment. Any medication supplied to you must only be used to treat yourself or a dependent.

Important information

If accessing the Pharmacy First scheme, you must tell your pharmacist if:

• You are breastfeeding
• You think you might be pregnant
• Other medications you are taking
• Any allergies that you have

As mentioned above those aged under 3 months old or who are pregnant would not be eligible for this scheme.

Selected Lambeth Pharmacies taking part in the Pharmacy First scheme