Seven conditions English pharmacies could prescribe for from winter

The seven common health conditions are: earache; uncomplicated UTI in women; sore throat; sinusitis; impetigo; shingles and infected insect bites. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA

Patients will be able to get prescription medicines for seven common health conditions directly from pharmacies in England under a blueprint designed to ease the pressure on GPs’ appointments.

For the first time, pharmacists will be able to write their own prescriptions for the conditions, under health changes ministers and NHS England chiefs hope will be introduced from this winter after a consultation with the industry.