Everyone has been to a pharmacy at some point in their life – usually to get an emergency packet of paracetamol or cold and flu tablets. But did you know that these unsung local heroes offer so much more than a place to pick up a prescription?!
They also offer a range of NHS services and provide a place to get in-person, healthcare professional advice without an appointment.
So to mark Ask Your Pharmacist week (30th October – 6th November) and ahead of flu season, NHS Greater Manchester is giving you the top ten ways you can get the most of your local pharmacist and in turn make looking after your health that much easier…
Pharmacists are qualified health professionals and experts in medicine with at least five years of training under their belt. This means if you have any questions about medications, such as the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, or you need support managing long term conditions then pop into your local branch for their advice.
Pharmacists offer free, over-the-counter clinical help and advice without an appointment on many minor illnesses, including colds, coughs, fever, sore throats, tummy troubles, aches and pains, and sleeping problems to name but a few. They can also spot the signs of serious illness and may be able to refer you to a doctor or other suitable health care professional for a check-up or for treatment if necessary.
Need to ask the pharmacist something extremely personal? Don’t worry about other people hearing something private – many pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard by other customers.
Trying to be healthier? The pharmacy team can help you stick to making healthy lifestyle choices – including providing support to help you to quit smoking, reduce the amount of alcohol you drink and lose weight.
You may be surprised to hear that you can get many NHS services at your local pharmacy, such as health checks, support for people with Parkinson’s disease and osteoporosis, and even blood pressure checks for over 40s to check for high blood pressure.
Pharmacists can help you be ready for the winter bugs season as many are offering COVID-19 and flu vaccinations for anyone who is eligible.
Off somewhere exotic and need some travel jabs? Yes, you guessed it some pharmacies offer travel vaccinations.
Do you usually struggle to find time in the day to visit your GP? Pharmacies often offer extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends (some are even open 24 hours) – making it so much easier for you to fit the medical help needed around work and busy day-to-day lives.
It’s the one-stop place to keep your medicine cabinet stocked with the essentials as advised by pharmacists and GPs: painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, indigestion treatments and a first aid kit containing a thermometer, plasters, and bandages.
There are around 14,000 community pharmacies across the UK (many of which are in supermarkets) – this means there is one close to where most people live. This means speaking to your pharmacist can be as simple as adding it to your shopping list when you go for a weekly shop.
To find your nearest pharmacy visit https://www.nhs.uk/service-
Follow #AskYourPharmacist on social media to see what else is happening during Ask Your Pharmacist week.
