National Pharmacy Association (NPA) analysis also shows that the expansion to a similar service to Scotland could see around 14 million GP appointments saved a year.
In England, pharmacists can currently supply prescription medication for seven common ailments without a patient having to see their GP, including infected insect bites, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
The NPA has urged the government to use the NHS 10-Year Plan to deliver a ‘turbo charged' Pharmacy First service that would allow pharmacists to treat a broader range of conditions.
The NPA says expanding the number of ailments to include additional conditions, such as constipation, diarrhoea and certain bacterial skin infections, could provide better care for patients.
In addition, the NPA is calling for greater engagement from GPs, with significant regional variation in the numbers of referrals into Pharmacy First by practices.
Just over 5 million consultations have been carried out through the service in England, which was introduced in January 2024, the equivalent of one in 12 of the English population. However, in Scotland, around one in three of the population used the scheme during the same period.
Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: 'This analysis shows that turbo charging the Pharmacy First programme can help patients to beat the 8AM scramble for a GP appointment.
'Good progress has been made already since the introduction of the programme in England last year. However, the experience from Scotland shows there is even more potential to treat more patients for a wide variety of conditions that would otherwise see you visiting other more costly parts of the NHS.'
He added: 'The NHS 10-Year Plan is a golden opportunity to seize the initiative and expand the role of community pharmacies, achieving the government's ambitions for a genuine neighbourhood health service.
'Pharmacies act as the front door to the NHS and with the right funding and support can provide even more services to their patients.'
