How pharmacies can help
Advice and treatment
Pharmacists can give you advice on a range of conditions and suggest medicines that can help.
They may also be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP (this is called Pharmacy First). Conditions they can treat as part of Pharmacy First are:
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)
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 healthcare professional if needed.
They will then update your GP health record.
If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.
Advice on medicines
Pharmacists can give advice on your medicines. This includes how to use your medicine, worries about side effects or any other questions you have.
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If your medicine is out of date or unwanted, do not put it in the bin or flush it down the toilet.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.
Get help with newly prescribed medicines
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.