April marks the start of the UK's peak allergy season. With tree pollen counts rising across England and grass pollen set to follow in May and June, community pharmacies are entering what is typically their busiest period for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, clinical advice, and — since the launch of Pharmacy First — NHS-funded consultations for allergic rhinitis.

The scale of seasonal demand

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) affects an estimated 13 million people in England, according to Allergy UK. For community pharmacies, this translates into a predictable annual demand curve:

• March–April: tree pollen season begins. Demand rises for cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine — the three most commonly purchased OTC antihistamines
• May–July: grass pollen peaks. This is the highest-volume period, with many pharmacies reporting antihistamine sales two to three times their winter baseline
• August–September: weed pollen and mould spores maintain elevated demand into early autumn

For the 13,147 community pharmacies registered in England according to PharmSee's NHS Digital data, spring and summer allergy season represents a significant share of annual OTC revenue and customer footfall.

Pharmacy First and hay fever

Since January 2024, England's Pharmacy First service has allowed community pharmacists to conduct NHS-funded clinical consultations for seven common conditions — but allergic rhinitis is not among the formal Pharmacy First pathways. However, pharmacies routinely provide advice on hay fever management as part of their general clinical service, and many patients presenting with symptoms such as sore throat, earache, or sinusitis may have underlying allergic rhinitis contributing to their condition.

The practical effect is that allergy season amplifies both formal Pharmacy First consultations (where hay fever symptoms overlap with covered conditions) and informal advisory demand. Pharmacists report that April through July typically generates 30–50% more customer interactions than the winter baseline, driven largely by allergy-related queries.

Staffing implications

The seasonal demand spike has workforce implications. According to PharmSee's analysis of 1,665 active pharmacy vacancies, many employers are actively hiring ahead of the peak season. Relief and weekend pharmacist roles are particularly relevant during allergy season, when extended hours and Saturday openings see elevated footfall.

Pharmacy chains may also increase dispenser hours during spring and summer to manage higher prescription volumes for prescription-strength antihistamines (fexofenadine 180mg, for example, is available both OTC and on prescription) and nasal corticosteroid sprays such as fluticasone and mometasone.

What pharmacies can prepare

Practical steps for the 2026 allergy season include:

Stock management. Ensure adequate supplies of OTC antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine), nasal sprays (beclometasone, fluticasone), and eye drops (sodium cromoglicate, olopatadine). Generic cetirizine and loratadine are the highest-volume lines; branded products such as Piriton (chlorphenamine) remain popular despite causing drowsiness.

Clinical knowledge refresh. The distinction between sedating (chlorphenamine, promethazine) and non-sedating (cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine) antihistamines is a common patient question. Pharmacists and dispensers should be prepared to counsel on:

• First-line vs second-line treatment options
• The role of intranasal corticosteroids for moderate-to-severe symptoms
• When to refer to a GP (persistent symptoms despite OTC treatment, suspected asthma exacerbation)

Pharmacy First triage. Patients presenting with sore throat or earache during pollen season may benefit from being asked about allergy symptoms. Post-nasal drip from untreated hay fever is a common cause of sore throat, and addressing the underlying allergy can resolve the presenting complaint more effectively than treating the symptom alone.

Display and signage. Prominent allergy product displays near the pharmacy counter can prompt self-selection and reduce queue times during busy periods.

The bigger picture: pharmacy as first point of contact

Allergy season reinforces community pharmacy's position as the first point of contact for minor illness management. With GP appointments increasingly difficult to secure at short notice, pharmacies that are well-stocked and well-staffed during the spring peak can serve hundreds of additional patients per week — building customer loyalty and generating both OTC and service revenue.

For pharmacists and technicians looking for spring and summer roles, PharmSee's job search tracks vacancies across 11 employers including seasonal and relief positions. Check salary benchmarks by role to understand what these positions pay.

Sources: Allergy UK prevalence estimates; Met Office pollen forecast methodology; PharmSee vacancy data (April 2026); NHSBSA dispensing data via PharmSee.