Sinusitis Treatment (Pharmacy First)
Adults and children 12+ can get a free NHS sinusitis assessment at participating pharmacies in England, including prescription treatment where appropriate.
Under NHS Pharmacy First, anyone aged 12 and over with sinusitis — facial pain or pressure, a blocked nose, and thick nasal discharge, often after a cold — can be assessed free at participating pharmacies across England, with no GP appointment needed. Sinusitis is usually viral and clears within two to three weeks, so the pharmacist will first advise on what actually speeds recovery: salt-water nasal rinses, paracetamol or ibuprofen, and steam inhalation, plus decongestant or steroid nasal sprays where suitable. Where symptoms have persisted beyond about ten days without improving — or are severe — the clinical pathway lets the pharmacist supply certain prescription-only medicines, such as antibiotics, without you seeing a GP first. The consultation is free; in England the standard prescription charge of £9.90 applies to any supplied medicine unless you're exempt. See a GP if sinusitis keeps recurring or follows dental problems, and get urgent help for swelling or redness around an eye, vision changes, or a severe frontal headache. Find participating pharmacies via /pharmacies/locations/; our Pharmacy First hub covers the whole scheme.
Who can use the Pharmacy First sinusitis service?
Anyone aged 12 and over at participating pharmacies in England. Under-12s should see a GP. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland run their own pharmacy minor ailment schemes with different arrangements.
Pharmacy First in England is a commissioned NHS clinical pathway. An NHS dispensing contract is not proof this branch offers it today — confirm before you travel. The pharmacist decides suitability and can refer you to a GP.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland run their own common-ailment schemes. Do not assume England’s age bands apply outside England.
Is Pharmacy First Sinusitis free on the NHS?
Yes at participating pharmacies, if you fit the service rules. £9.90 per item in England; free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland applies only when an NHS item is dispensed in England and you are not exempt.
Ask the pharmacist whether this service is running today and whether you are eligible. Commissioning and stock change. If a medicine is supplied on an NHS prescription in England, the national item charge applies unless you are exempt — the pharmacy cannot set its own NHS fee.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland do not charge for NHS prescriptions. Their common-ailment schemes are not identical to England’s Pharmacy First.
When should I see a GP about sinusitis instead?
If episodes keep coming back, symptoms only ever affect one side, you have ongoing dental pain (dental infections can trigger sinusitis), or treatment hasn't worked. Get urgent same-day help for swelling or redness around an eye, double vision or other vision changes, or a severe frontal headache — these can indicate complications.
This directory cannot triage you. If symptoms worsen after a pharmacy visit, go back, contact NHS 111, or use emergency care. Pick My Pharmacy does not provide clinical advice.
How do I find a pharmacy that offers Pharmacy First Sinusitis?
Use the GPhC-registered sample below, Compare, or the directory. Then confirm the service is offered today and match the premises number on pharmacyregulation.org.
Opening hours are only shown when we have them — we never invent a timetable. Ratings appear only with verified reviews; we never invent scores.
If the cards say none yet, the service is still explained here so you know what to ask a local pharmacist. Use Compare with your postcode rather than assuming a nearby branch is listed for this slug.
How do I check the pharmacy is legitimate?
Search the GPhC premises number on pharmacyregulation.org and match the address before you send ID, start a consultation, or pay.
Great Britain community and internet pharmacies must be on that register. Online prescribing services in England should also be CQC-registered. A website that sells prescription-only medicines with no consultation is not a legitimate pharmacy service.
Pick My Pharmacy is an independent directory. We do not supply medicines.
Typical cost
Free on the NHS (where eligible)
0 pharmacies with pharmacy first sinusitis confirmed on their profile
We do not yet have GPhC-registered pharmacies tagged for pharmacy first sinusitis in this snapshot. The education on this page still applies — ask a local pharmacist, or use Compare. A missing card is not proof the service does not exist nearby.
We only list a pharmacy here when the service is confirmed on its profile, so this is not every pharmacy that offers it. To check a pharmacy near you, open your town or city page and phone ahead.
Ratings and rankings are our editorial opinion, based on our publishedmethodology — they are not medical advice and pharmacies cannot pay to change a score. Where a pharmacy has no reviews we show "Not yet rated" — we never invent scores.Listings labelled Featured orReferral partner are paid placements; payment affects visibility only, never ratings or match results. We may receive a fee when you send a private-service enquiry.Private service prices are indicative — always confirm directly with the pharmacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pharmacist give antibiotics for sinusitis?▼
Yes, under Pharmacy First in England — but only where the pathway criteria are met, typically when symptoms have lasted more than about ten days without improvement or are severe. Most sinusitis is viral and settles with self-care, so antibiotics are the exception rather than the rule.
What helps sinusitis besides antibiotics?▼
Salt-water nasal rinses, plenty of fluids, steam inhalation, and paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain. Decongestant sprays can relieve blockage short-term (no more than a week, or rebound congestion sets in), and steroid nasal sprays can help persistent inflammation — the pharmacist will advise what's suitable for you.
Who can use the Pharmacy First sinusitis service?▼
Anyone aged 12 and over at participating pharmacies in England. Under-12s should see a GP. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland run their own pharmacy minor ailment schemes with different arrangements.
When should I see a GP about sinusitis instead?▼
If episodes keep coming back, symptoms only ever affect one side, you have ongoing dental pain (dental infections can trigger sinusitis), or treatment hasn't worked. Get urgent same-day help for swelling or redness around an eye, double vision or other vision changes, or a severe frontal headache — these can indicate complications.
Is the Pharmacy First sinusitis consultation free?▼
Yes — the assessment is free on the NHS. If a medicine is supplied in England, the standard £9.90 prescription charge applies unless you're exempt; the devolved nations' own schemes make prescriptions free.
How do I check a pharmacy offering pharmacy first sinusitis is GPhC-registered?▼
Open the listing, copy the premises registration number, and search it on pharmacyregulation.org. Match the name and address before you send ID, start a consultation, or pay. Pick My Pharmacy is a directory — we do not supply pharmacy first sinusitis.
Does Pick My Pharmacy provide pharmacy first sinusitis?▼
No. We compare GPhC-registered pharmacies. The pharmacy you choose supplies the service after its own clinical checks. Paid placements are labelled and never change a rating.
Related guides
Sources
- NHS: Pharmacy First · checked 2026-09-01
- Pick My Pharmacy methodology