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Use of the Pharmacy

What the pharmacy can offer

The pharmacy (or chemist's shop) is the place to go to have prescriptions made up. But it offers a lot more. Pharmacists provide a range of services including giving advice on the treatment of minor health problems. This could save you a trip to your GP.

You can use any pharmacy you wish. In country areas, the GP's surgery will dispense medicines to patients of the practice, although patients may take prescriptions to other pharmacies. It's a good idea to use one pharmacy regularly and to get to know the pharmacist by name.

The local health authority has a list of all pharmacies in the area. Or you can go to any public library or post office to see the published pharmaceutical list.

Medicines on prescription

You can get NHS and private prescriptions made up at any pharmacy. GPs (general practitioners or family doctors) generally write National Health Service (NHS) prescriptions, but they can write private ones. You have to pay for the medicine, but you do not pay NHS prescription charges so it may be cheaper. Ask your GP or pharmacist about private prescriptions.

Over-the-counter medicines

Some medicines are available 'over the counter' (OTC), which means you can buy them without a prescription. The contents and action of the medicine will be the same as the prescribed medicine but it may be cheaper. Ask your GP if the medicine he or she is prescribing for you is available over the counter. Or ask your pharmacist when you take your prescription in.

Paying for medicines

A charge is made for each item on an NHS prescription. But some people don't have to pay the charge because of their age, income or medical condition. Patients on regular medication may apply to the health authority for a 'season ticket' (pre-payment certificate) for longer periods. In some areas, you may also be able to obtain these from pharmacies. People who do not have to pay prescription charges include:

To find out if you qualify for free prescriptions please read leaflet HC11 "Are you entitled to help with health costs", available from main post offices, social security offices or hospitals. Your GP, pharmacist, health visitor or health authority may be able to advise you.

To apply for exemption from prescription charges on medical grounds you have to be suffering from one of the conditions described in the leaflet. To claim exemption ask your GP or the hospital for form FP92A. If you are pregnant or have a child under one ask your doctor, health visitor or midwife for form FW8. Complete the form (FP92A or FW8) and send it to your health authority who will send you an exemption certificate.

Asking for advice from the pharmacist

Pharmacists are experts in medicines, with a minimum of four years of training in their use.

A certificate on display in the shop shows the pharmacist's name. The pharmacist may be able to give you advice on the use of medicines that are dispensed or sold, including how to take them and any side-effects. Ask the pharmacist if there are any medicines you should avoid, otherwise you might take a mixture of medicines that could be harmful when taken together. Tell the pharmacist:

Dealing with minor illnesses

Many minor illnesses will go away after a time, but there may be things you can do or medicines to take which will help you feel better. The pharmacist can advise you as to how you can recognise and treat minor illnesses and may suggest medicines that you can buy over the counter. This could save you a trip to the doctor, but the pharmacist should be able to tell you if you need to see your GP. Pharmacists encourage people to consult them about minor illnesses and health worries. If you want to talk in confidence, ask if there is somewhere private where you can talk to the pharmacist.

Some pharmacists keep patient medication records, which list all of the medicines that they have dispensed for you. If you have any worries about who might see these records, you need to ask the pharmacist.

For more information about medicines, ask the pharmacist if he or she has The Guide to OTC Medicines or The ABPI (Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries) Compendium of PILS (Patient Information Leaflets).

Services available from pharmacies

Every pharmacy produces a leaflet describing its services. Pick one up or ask the assistant. You could compare the services offered by different pharmacies in your area and choose the one which suits your particular needs.

Danger

It is inadvisable to keep old medicines at home. It is also unwise to use medicines prescribed for someone else. Pharmacists and dispensing GPs will safely dispose of any unwanted or out-of-date medicines for you free of charge.

Late night opening

Dispensing services are available outside normal opening hours at night, on Sundays and on public holidays. Find out which pharmacies offer these late night services. For prescriptions, there may be a rota of pharmacies which are open all night. In an emergency, contact the police.

Look in pharmacy windows for the late night and weekend rota. (This may also be published in the local paper, or available through your GP or nearest hospital.) There may be a telephone number to ring to find out the rota.

Problems and Complaints

If you are not satisfied with the services provided by your pharmacy, speak to the manager, or contact the health authority or community health council. Complaints can be made to the health authority - but only if they are about matters to do with NHS prescriptions. The community health council, which is an independent health services 'watchdog', can help you with any complaints. Both the Health Authority and the community health council will be listed in the telephone directory.