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 send an update to your GP practice to add to your records.
If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.
Find a local pharmacies and more about the care and support they can provide.
If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right clinical training to make sure you get the help you need immediately and can refer patients to a GP or A&E where necessary.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You don’t need an appointment – you just walk in.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with staff without being overheard.