Community Pharmacy

How your local pharmacy can help

Your local pharmacy can provide expert advice and treatment for many common conditions without you needing to see a GP.

Pharmacy First

Under the Pharmacy First service, pharmacists can assess and treat the following conditions, including supplying prescription-only medicines where appropriate:

• Earache (ages 1–17 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)
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women aged 16–64 years

If necessary, the pharmacist will refer you to a GP or another healthcare professional and will update your GP health record.

If you are outside these age ranges, the pharmacist can still provide advice, although you may need to see a GP for treatment.

Medicines advice

Pharmacists can answer questions about your medicines, including:

• How and when to take them
• Possible side effects
• Medicine interactions
• General medication advice

Emergency contraception

Many pharmacies provide free emergency contraception through local NHS services. If you are aged 16 or over, you can also purchase the emergency contraceptive pill from most pharmacies.

Find out more about emergency contraception.

Free blood pressure checks

Many pharmacies offer free NHS blood pressure checks for eligible patients.

Find a pharmacy offering free blood pressure checks.

Other pharmacy services

Your local pharmacy may also provide:

• Advice following contact with NHS 111 or your GP
• Chlamydia screening and treatment
• Stop smoking support
• Cholesterol and blood sugar testing
• Substance misuse services, including needle and syringe exchange
• Weight management advice

Services vary between pharmacies, so please contact your local pharmacy to find out what is available.

Find a local pharmacy