News | Minor ailments

News

Nasal decongestant spray use limited to five days

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said that the new rules follow reports of rebound congestion related to prolonged use.…

Published: 1 May 2026

News

Growth in Pharmacy First consultations ‘not sustainable’

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association has highlighted that there are still fewer pharmacies open for fewer hours, despite a steady increase in the number of prescriptions and pharmacy-led services.…

Published: 30 April 2026

News

Dispensing remains highest priority for pharmacies among the public, survey shows

Polling by YouGov found that in the past 12 months, nearly half of Welsh adults used a community pharmacy dispensing service.…

Published: 13 April 2026

News

Health news round-up: Alzheimer’s treatment, retatrutide results and kidney cancer guidelines

A weekly summary of important developments in pharmacy and health news that you may have missed.…

Published: 20 March 2026

News

Common ailments service consultations increase by over one-third

Data also show that the largest number of pharmacy consultations conducted in 2024/2025 via the Welsh common ailments service were for sore throat and tonsillitis.…

Published: 16 March 2026

News

Coroner flags lack of clarity around expanded role of community pharmacists under Pharmacy First

A coroner has questioned methotrexate guidance after a patient died after developing methotrexate-induced pancytopenia and pneumonia.…

Published: 27 February 2026

Opinion

The NHS ten-year plan has missed the role of pharmacy professionals in community health services

Although the NHS ten-year plan offers significant opportunities for the healthcare system, it is essential that pharmacy roles within community health services are listed within the government’s workforce plan.…

Published: 23 February 2026

News

Pharmacy First campaign boosted public awareness and trust in pharmacy advice, says minister

Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock said that trust in pharmacy advice rose from 61% to 70% following a promotional campaign for Pharmacy First.…

Published: 11 February 2026

News

Risks of nasal decongestant spray overuse need to be made clearer, says RPS

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society said manufacturers must make the seven-day limit for nasal decongestant sprays clear, owing to the risk of dependency.…

Published: 8 January 2026

News

Initial lower threshold Pharmacy First payment was made to 1,500 pharmacies

Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock said that the new tier of monthly payments for Pharmacy First consultations supports pharmacies with “lower potential for delivery” and has enabled more pharmacies to qualify for the fixed payments.…

Published: 6 January 2026