How pharmacies can help (2024)

Advice from a pharmacist

Pharmacists can offer advice on a range of illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, ear infections and aches and pains.

They can also give advice about medicines. This includes how to use your medicine, worries about side effects or any other questions you have.

If they cannot help you themselves, they can refer you to a GP or other health professional.

Treatment from a pharmacist

Pharmacists can suggest treatments that do not need a prescription for a range of conditions.

Most pharmacies can also offer prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment. This is called Pharmacy First.

Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:

  • impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
  • infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
  • earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
  • sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
  • sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
  • urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
  • shingles (aged 18 years and over)

If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice and support decisions about self care treatment with over the counter medicines, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.

If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to a GP or other health professional if needed. They will also update your GP health record, but your information will not be shared with anyone else.

Most pharmacies can provide prescription medicine for these conditions but contact them before visiting to check.

Disposing of old medicines

If your medicine is out of date or unwanted, do not put it in the bin or flush it down the toilet. Take it to your pharmacy to be disposed of safely.

Help with new medicines

When you start a new medicine for a long term condition you can have up to 3 appointments with a pharmacist to:

  • answer any questions you have
  • help you use the medicine safely
  • make sure that the medicine’s right for you

Get help with newly prescribed medicines

Getting the contraceptive pill without a prescription

Some pharmacies may offer the contraceptive pill for free without a prescription. If you are aged 18 years or older, you can also buy the progesterone-only pill from most pharmacies.

Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription

Emergency contraception

Some pharmacies offer the emergency contraceptive pill for free. If you’re aged 16 or over, you can also buy it from most pharmacies.

Find out about emergency contraception

Get a free blood pressure check

Some pharmacies offer a free blood pressure check.
Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks

More services

Other services that may be available at a local pharmacy include:

  • advice from a pharmacist after contacting NHS 111 or a GP
  • chlamydia screening and treatment
  • advice and help on how to stop smoking
  • cholesterol and blood sugar testing
  • the substance misuse service, including needle and syringe exchange schemes
  • advice and help on how to manage your weight

Ask a local pharmacist to find out what services they offer.

How pharmacies can help (2024)

FAQs

How does pharmacy help people? ›

Pharmacists are medication experts who use their detailed knowledge of medicines to help patients get well. They are professionals who can answer health-related questions — what foods, drinks, activities, or other drugs could affect medication or what to do about a missed dose.

How a pharmacist can help you? ›

Advice from a pharmacist

They can also give advice about medicines. This includes how to use your medicine, worries about side effects or any other questions you have. If they cannot help you themselves, they can refer you to a GP or other health professional.

What can pharmacists give advice on? ›

Pharmacists can offer advice and over-the-counter medication to help with a range of common conditions and minor injuries. You can see them for help with typical Winter ailments such as coughs, colds and the flu, as well as day to day issues, such as aches, pains, skin rashes and cystitis.

What are some things that a pharmacy can do to be more accessible? ›

Wheelchair ramps, spacious aisles, and clear signage can ensure that individuals of all abilities can navigate the pharmacy with ease.

How important are pharmacies? ›

The annual National Pharmacy Week recognizes the increasingly important role of pharmacy staff in supporting patient care as well as their growing role across the healthcare continuum. Pharmacists are vital to ensuring healthcare consumers receive safe, quality treatment and education about their care journeys.

How useful is pharmacy? ›

Fulfilling a vital healthcare role

The importance of pharmacy extends beyond just giving out medicine. Pharmacists provide essential information and healthcare services to patients who might need help in addition to that provided by their doctor.

Why is it important to have a pharmacy? ›

Help people get the best results from their medications

They can answer health-related questions — what foods, drinks, activities, or other drugs could have an effect on medication or what to do about a missed dose.

What is the most important thing for pharmacist? ›

Examples of pharmacy skills
  • Attention to detail. Pharmacists should exhibit high levels of accuracy in their daily tasks. ...
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. ...
  • Strong skills in science and mathematics. ...
  • Management skills. ...
  • Ability to multitask. ...
  • Confidentiality. ...
  • Great analytical skills. ...
  • Computer skills.
Jul 2, 2024

What are three things pharmacists do? ›

Pharmacists typically do the following:
  • Fill prescriptions to the proper amount based on physicians' instructions.
  • Check patients' allergies, medical conditions, and other drugs they are taking to ensure that the newly prescribed medication does not cause adverse reaction.

What are red flags for pharmacists? ›

For example, the California State Board of Pharmacy has published the following list of red flags (other states use the same criteria): Irregularities on the face of the prescription itself. Nervous patient demeanor. Age or presentation of patient (e.g., youthful patients seeking chronic pain medications)

What are 4 responsibilities of a pharmacist? ›

Scope of practice
  • Dispensing medication per the prescription, or doctor's orders.
  • Consulting patients on prescribed medication usage.
  • Communicating with physicians to dispense medication correctly.
  • Directing patients toward over-the-counter medications to treat their ailment.

How do pharmacists help people? ›

Pharmacists help prescribers and patients decide which medicine will have the most beneficial results. When pharmacists are involved in patient care, outcomes improve and costs decline.

What is one of the major issues facing pharmacy today? ›

Drug shortages

The pandemic caused supply chain disruptions, leading to medication shortages. Today's pharmacists face an inconsistent supply of medications, requiring the proper knowledge and tools to find medication substitutions and alternative therapies.

How can pharmacy reduce distractions? ›

Setting up a no distraction zone

You should have a designated area in the pharmacy where interruptions are not allowed. The area should be marked off with visual aids. When someone is working in this area, they should not be interrupted for any reason.

What is the importance of pharmacy care? ›

Pharmaceutical care aims to optimize an individual's health-related quality of life and achieve positive clinical outcomes, within realistic economic costs [4]. The practice was developed to meet the standards of and be consistent with the professional practices of medicine, nursing, dentistry, and veterinary medicine.

What is the role of a pharmacy? ›

They label and dispense prescribed medicines. They also provide information and advice to patients about how to use their medication. With the guidance of the pharmacist, they are also trained to advise members of the public about over the counter medicines and management of minor ailments.

What does a pharmacist actually do? ›

Pharmacists dispense prescription medications and provide information to patients about the drugs and their use. They also advise physicians and other healthcare workers on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications to treat health problems.

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