All pharmacists are part of the NHS, they train for a minimum of five years and are experts in medicines use and providing health and wellbeing advice.
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.
Visit the NHS website to find a pharmacy near youTreatment from a pharmacist – Pharmacy First
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.
If your symptoms suggest 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.
You do not need an appointment and you can speak to the pharmacist privately. Community pharmacists will signpost you to other local services where necessary.
Find a community pharmacy near you using our interactive map:
Other services provided by community pharmacies
Community pharmacies can help you with other things too, including advice on medicines, disposing of old medicines and help with new ones.
You can also find a pharmacy that can help with:
- NHS flu vaccinations
- Book or manage a free NHS flu vaccination at a pharmacy
- Getting the contraceptive pill without prescription
- Free blood pressure checks
Emergency medicines
Some people may take specialist medication, for example palliative care medicines. These medicines are not normally kept in stock at pharmacies. The documents below will tell you which emergency medicines are in stock in which pharmacies.
Emergency medicine stock list (336kB)
Immediate access to emergency medicines (353kB)