Migraines and acne among five more conditions pharmacists can treat

Thursday 10th September 2026

People will be able to go to their local chemist in England this autumn and get on-the-spot treatment for 12 common conditions without going to their GP first.

Pharmacists can already prescribe medication for seven conditions - sore throat, earache, sinusitis, shingles, impetigo, infected bites and urinary tract infections.

Five more - migraines, acne, scabies, ear infections and badly blocked noses - are now also being added to that list.

NHS England said the move was to ease pressure on busy GPs and A&E departments while making sure people could get treatment quickly and conveniently.

After a very hot summer and three of the busiest months on record in A&Es in England, the NHS says it wants to make it as easy as possible for people to get help when they need it for everyday conditions.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said people were "fed up with the scramble for routine appointments" and wanted help close to home, with no more taking time off work or waiting to get seen.

"For five more common conditions, you'll be able to walk into your local pharmacy and get treated on the spot," he said.

Mr Burnham said families would feel the change, and the plan would give people back "precious time".

The five conditions which can now also be treated via pharmacies are:

low frequency migraines in adults

hay fever or allergic rhinitis in children

ear infections in adults

mild to moderate acne in young people and adults

mild skin infections and scabies

That's in addition to these seven:

sore throat

sinusitis

earache

insect bites

impetigo

shingles

uncomplicated UTIs

Initially, a few hundred chemists will offer treatments for the five new conditions, NHS England says.

There will be a gradual rollout and the service will eventually be available at thousands of community NHS pharmacies across England.

Community pharmacies also offer support with healthy eating, exercise, stopping smoking, monitoring your blood pressure, contraception, flu and Covid vaccinations.