Over the past couple of years, chemists have gotten more and more prescriptive powers ― especially for conditions that are relatively easy to diagnose and cure.Prescription UTI medications, for instance, have been available through some pharmacists since 2023. This sometimes includes antibiotics.In January of this year, the former government introduced a Pharmacy First programme which means “patients can now get treatment for seven common conditions directly from their local pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription”.That includes “antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate”. The aim, the government says, is to decrease waiting times and ease the mounting pressure on NHS GPs.What are the seven conditions?The “common” ailments pharmacists have been able to prescribe non-OTC medications for for months now are: impetigo (for those aged one year and over)infected insect bites (for those aged one year and over)&