This is a news article on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care
The clinical protocols and patient group directions (PGDs) for the NHS Pharmacy First service were updated in June 2025 to include some changes to the gateway criteria. These documents will be published by NHS England (NHSE) in due course who will indicate when contractors should start using these updated documents.
The final draft updated clinical protocols (PDF: 438KB)
(This document was created by NHS England and the content within is not the responsibility of the NHSBSA.)
The FINAL draft updated PGDs:
1a. UTI Nitrofurantoin PGD2a. Shingles Aciclovir PGD2b. Shingles Valaciclovir PGD3a. Impetigo Hydrogen Peroxide Cream Protocol3c. Impetigo Flucloxacilin PGD3d. Impetigo Clarithromycin PGD3e. Impetigo Erythromycin PGD4a. Infected Insect Bites Flucloxacilin PGD4b. Infected Insect Bites Clarithromycin PGD4c. Infected Insect Bites Erythromycin PGD5a. Sore Throat Phenoxymethylpenicillin PGD5b. Sore Throat Clarithromycin PGD5c. Sore Throat Eyrthromycin PGD6a. Sinusitis Fluticasone Nasal Spray PGD6b. Sinusitis Mometasone Nasal Spray PGD6c. Sinusitis Phenoxymethylpenicillin PGD6.d Sinusitis Clarithromycin PGD6e. Sinusitis Doxycycline PGD6f. Sinusitis Erythromycin PGD7a. AOM Phenozone Lidocaine Eardrops PGD7b. AOM Amoxicillin PGD7c. AOM Clarithromycin PGD7d. AOM Erthromycin PGD
Please Note: PGD 3b for fusidic acid will remain as currently published: NHS England » Community Pharmacy advanced service specification: NHS Pharmacy First Service