Pharmacy First PGDs and protocol published

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NHS England has published drafts of the 23 Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and one protocol for the Pharmacy First service, which is due to commence at the end of January 2024.

This follows the announcement, earlier this week, of the publication of the service specification and the seven clinical pathways for the service.

Download the draft PGDs and draft protocol

The 23 PGDs and one protocol will be used by pharmacists to authorise supply of medicines at NHS expense, where clinically appropriate, following a consultation for one of the seven conditions for the Pharmacy First service.

The Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE)’s Pharmacy First webpage has also gone live, which includes a link to their self-assessment framework, which was developed in partnership with NHS England. This framework will support users to reflect on their knowledge, skills and behaviours to provide the Pharmacy First service, as well as to help identify any gaps and make an action plan to develop themselves, as needed, ahead of providing the service.

All of these documents will be essential reading for pharmacy owners and pharmacists who will be providing the service.

We will be publishing more guidance on the service and resources for pharmacy owners and their teams over the next few weeks.

Visit our Pharmacy First service webpage

Join us for a webinar

We are organising a series of webinars for pharmacy owners and their teams through December and January, with support from NHS England and the Centre for Postgraduate Education (CPPE). There will be two webinars on the Pharmacy First service; details can be found below:

Pharmacy First: Getting to know the service Maximum number of attendees reached – a recording will be made available

Wednesday 13th December 2023, 7-8.30pm

This webinar is intended to provide the initial launch information for the Pharmacy First service, outlining the core details and how the service will work.

We will explain the process used to develop the clinical pathways and PGDs, work through one of the clinical pathways, explore the learning and development requirements, and describe the accompanying digital systems which are in development.

David Webb, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England will also be speaking at the event.

Pharmacy First: Getting ready for launch

Monday 15th January 2024, 7-8.30pm

This webinar will focus on how to get ready to launch the service, building on the content of the December webinar and providing further practical information.

We will provide a brief reminder of the service requirements, followed by a review of the resources available to pharmacy owners and their teams to support provision of the service.

An update on development of the digital systems to support the service will be provided and we will hear from a pharmacist who has experience of providing similar locally commissioned PGD services and their tips on how to conduct consultations.

We will also focus on answering the frequently raised questions and issues since the first webinar in December, alongside answering questions from attendees.