The plan for the Pharmacy First Service was to divert patients, with certain symptoms, to registered pharmacists at their local community pharmacy, rather than the patient having to visit a GP surgery or other healthcare service such as urgent care.
At the time of its launch, the PDA stated that the Pharmacy First Service could be transformational for patients, pharmacists, and community pharmacy, but had some reservations as it was not introduced or resourced properly and could damage a workforce situation that was already under strain.
The latest PDA Pharmacy First Service report covers the following key areas:
- The volume of Pharmacy First services
- The wider context of services provided from community pharmacies
- Workload pressure and impact on workforce
- A wider discussion of the role of pharmacists
Read the full report here
The PDA is analysing the results of a recent member survey that was conducted from 16 to 26 January 2025. The survey sought to hear more about pharmacists experiences and the PDA will be publishing the results later this week.
Learn more
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.