Pharmacists use their medical knowledge to make sure you use medicines in a safe way. They give you the medicines prescribed by the doctors, offer tests for common health problems, and can help with minor illnesses. They also give advice on sexual health, quitting smoking, and common issues like:
- Coughs, colds, and flu
- Infections
- Minor injuries
- Stomach problems
- Women’s health
- Skin conditions
- Allergies
- Pain relief
- Children’s health
Your local pharmacist can guide you on whether you should see a doctor or nurse.
You can talk to your pharmacist privately about any health concerns, and you don’t need an appointment. Most pharmacies have private areas for confidential talks.
Find your local pharmacy
Use the NHS Find a Pharmacy tool to find a pharmacy near you.
Pharmacy services
NHS Discharge Medicines Service
This service makes sure that when a patient leaves the hospital, there’s good communication about any changes to their medication between the hospital, the pharmacy, and the GP or the Primary Care Network (PCN) pharmacists.
NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service
This service will help GPs make sure that patients with minor health issues get help from other healthcare professionals. If you have minor symptoms and need an appointment, you’ll be sent directly to a pharmacy you choose. Pilot sites are currently being chosen in south east London.
Your local pharmacy can also check your blood pressure for free. Click here for more information about this service.
Prescription charges
Most adult patients must pay a charge for their prescribed medicines. For up-to-date information about prescription charges, prescription pre-payment certificates and other costs, visit the NHS website.
Some people can get their NHS prescriptions free of charge. Find out if you are eligible for free prescriptions.
Pharmacy opening hours for bank holidays
Bank holidays can affect the opening hours of local pharmacies. Check this page to see if opening hours are affected on these days.