GPs' perspectives on Pharmacy First Services in England: a qualitative study

Pharmacy First (PF) launched in England in 2024 with the main goal of reducing demand on primary care. Under PF, people can receive treatment for seven common ailments in community pharmacies. This study is a component of a 36-month mixed-methods evaluation of PF.

To explore GPs' perspectives on PF implementation in England.

A qualitative study, involving one-to-one semi-structured interviews, was conducted between March and August 2025. Eligible study participants were purposively sampled GPs in England. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were managed in NVivo12 and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Twenty-four GPs participated, from six NHS regions. Key themes from the data include: 1) the importance of GP relationships with community pharmacists (CPs) and patients; 2) perceptions about CPs' level of training; 3) considerations about continuity of care within the NHS and GPs' perceived responsibility for the patient journey; 4) patient safety concerns and the potential for misdiagnosis by CPs; and 5) potential influences on antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use. These findings exist against a backdrop of funding issues in general practice and GPs' concerns about professional boundaries.

This study has implications for PF's implementation and contextualises findings arising from other components of the evaluation, including a decreasing proportion of PF consultations resulting from GP referrals. Overall findings from the evaluation will provide a comprehensive picture of the factors influencing PF implementation and the expected resultant relief on primary care.