The treatment will be offered as part of the expansion of the Pharmacy First Scheme that already offers support for seven common conditions.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: ‘This is change families will feel in their day-to-day lives as we build a better Britain. Treating people closer to home means catching problems earlier, easing pressure on GPs and A&E, and giving people back precious time.'

NHS figures show there were more than 77,000 hospital admissions for diseases of the ear, 47,500 linked to migraines, 5,000 for vasomotor and allergic rhinitis, and 681 for scabies in 2024/25.

Once fully rolled out, evidence suggests 2m to 3m consultations could take place each year in community pharmacies from the scheme expansion.

New figures show the service has delivered 14m consultations since its launch in February 2024 including 2m appointments for acute sore throats, and more than 1.7m for urinary tract infections.