Minor ailments are defined as common or self-Limiting or uncomplicated conditions that can be diagnosed and managed without medical intervention. Up to 18% of general practice workload is estimated to relate to minor ailments, at a cost of ￡2 billion annually to the NHS. In the UK, pharmacy-based minor ailment schemes (PMASs) provide public access to NHS treatment and/or advice via pharmacist or pharmacy personnel, or, where appropriate, to onward referral to other health professionals. A systematic review was conducted to explore the effect of PMASs on patient health- and cost-related outcomes. The review also aimed to quantify the extent to which existing PMASs have achieved the aim of shifting demand from high-cost services.
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