Visit your local pharmacy for advice on minor injuries, allergies, constipation, headaches, cold and flu symptoms and earache.
Your health expert on the high street!
Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns.
As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.
If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional.
All pharmacists train for 5 years in the use of medicines. They are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
Information:
You can also get:
Pharmacists can answer your questions on prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
All pharmacies provide the following services:
Pharmacy technicians can help with things like:
Repeat prescriptions can be issued in 2 different ways:
They are sent to the pharmacy automatically, so you do not need to order them each time. This is called electronic repeat dispensing. The GP surgery or pharmacy will let you know when you need to re-order your prescription.
In both cases, you can:
As part of the repeat prescription service, the pharmacist will ask if you’re having any problems or side effects with your medicines and, where appropriate, they can discuss this with you and your GP.
Information:
You can order a repeat prescription online using:
Pharmacies can give treatment advice about a range of common conditions and minor injuries, such as:
If you want to buy an over-the-counter medicine, the pharmacist and their team can help you choose. Antibiotics will not be available over the counter to treat minor conditions.
The New Medicine Service is available at pharmacies to give you extra help and advice if you’re just starting on a new medicine for one of the following conditions:
If your medicine is out of date, unwanted, or some of it is left over after you have stopped taking it, do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet. Instead, take it to your pharmacy to be disposed of safely.
Other services that may be available at your local pharmacy:
Many pharmacies offer extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends. Some are open until midnight or even later, even on public holidays.