Overwhelming public support for Pharmacy First service despite medicine supply issues

New research commissioned by Healthwatch England shows that public satisfaction with pharmacy services remains high a year after the NHS launched Pharmacy First, despite persistent medicine shortages that continue to disrupt patient care.

In a poll of over 7,000 adults in England, 86% of those who sought help for common conditions reported a positive experience, with patients praising the speed, convenience and expertise of pharmacists. Many supported expanding the Pharmacy First scheme, with over six in ten people saying they would use a pharmacy for skin problems, eye infections and asthma.

However, the research also highlighted the continued disruption to medicines supplies that pharmacies face. Nearly one in four respondents said they had been unable to get the medicines they needed in the past year due to shortages, with the figure unchanged from 2023. In total, 45% of people reported experiencing problems when accessing their medication, including delays, errors and unexpected closures.

These findings align with Community Pharmacy England’s Medicines Supply Report, published today and featured in the national media, which found that medicines supply issues are a ‘distressing new normal’.

Community Pharmacy England’s research found that one in four pharmacy teams are now spending more than two hours a day sourcing alternative medications, and 95% say shortages are continuing to inconvenience patients.

Healthwatch England’s research also highlighted regional disparities in the uptake of Pharmacy First and Local Healthwatch teams reported awareness levels varying significantly across the country, from just 39% in Halton to 72% in Stockton-on-Tees.

Commenting on Healthwatch England’s report, Alastair Buxton, Director of NHS Services at Community Pharmacy England said:

“It is great to see further positive feedback from the public, showing how much they value services such as Pharmacy First. Ahead of the publication of the NHS 10 Year Plan, it is also good to see public support for the extension of the service, which we hope will be a part of the Government’s plans.

“On medicines shortages, these findings confirm what pharmacy teams are experiencing every day, as outlined in Community Pharmacy England’s Medicines Supply Report. Patients trust and rely on their local pharmacy, but ongoing supply issues are making it harder to deliver the care people need. Pharmacies are going above and beyond to help, but they need urgent support to manage these pressures.

“A sustainable funding model is essential to ensure pharmacies can continue to meet growing demand and deliver the care their communities depend on.”