Pharmacy
Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with NHS prescriptions as well as support and treatments for minor health concerns.
Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals and have trained for five years. They can offer clinical advice, over-the-counter medicines and some prescription medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.
If symptoms suggest it’s 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.
In some cases, if you contact your GP practice with a minor illness that can be assessed and treated more quickly by a local community pharmacist (with your consent) they will send an electronic referral to the community pharmacy of your choice for a timely consultation.
Finding your nearest pharmacy
You can find a local pharmacy. Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment. You can find out more about how they can help you.
Prescription medicines and GP referrals
Community pharmacists can now supply prescription medicines for seven different conditions without you needing to see a GP, under a new scheme called Pharmacy First. This can include antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate.
These seven conditions, and the age groups they apply to, are:
- earache in children (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 (UTIs) in women (aged 16 to 64 years)
If you have symptoms that suggest you may have one of these seven conditions, you can walk into a pharmacy and be offered a consultation with the pharmacist. The pharmacist will provide you advice and if appropriate, offer prescription medicines. The pharmacist will share a record of your consultation with your GP to make sure your health records are kept up to date.
Should the pharmacy team be unable to help, you will be directed to other heath care services as appropriate. In some cases you may be referred to a local pharmacy by your GP, NHS 111 or A&E for a consultation with a pharmacist. The pharmacist will assess you, offer advice, recommend treatments or refer to another setting or service if needed.
If you need an urgent repeat prescription out of hours call NHS 111.
Some low-income patients, patients who are on benefits, people who are homeless, asylum seekers or refugees will also be eligible for free over the counter medications for a range of minor conditions and they can simply walk into their local pharmacy.
Contraception
You can get the contraceptive pill without a prescription. You do not need to see a doctor or nurse for a prescription.
Getting the contraceptive pill is free, with or without a prescription.
Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription
Many pharmacies also offer emergency contraception (morning after pill) for free and you can find one here.
Pharmacy services
All pharmacies in north east London provide the following services:
- Treatment for the seven conditions listed above without you needing to see a GP.
- Dispensing of NHS prescriptions
- Access to repeat prescriptions as advised by your GP
- An emergency supply of medicine, subject to the decision of the pharmacist (you may need to pay for an emergency supply)
- Emergency contraception
- Flu vaccinations
- Non-prescription medicines like paracetamol
- Advice on treating minor health concerns and healthy living
- Advice on medicines, how to take them, and correct doses
- Disposal of unwanted or out-of-date medicines
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