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How your pharmacist can help

By Dr Alison Blenkinsopp

Your pharmacist is there to advise you about medicines, including remedies for common ailments. They are also able to tell you when you need to see a doctor.

So, go and see your pharmacist first if:

  • You need help choosing the right medicine
  • You are not sure what is causing a problem or what to do about it
  • You are unsure whether you need to see a doctor
  • You want advice on how to stay healthy.

To help your pharmacist help you, stick to the same pharmacy.  That way you will get to know the pharmacist and staff, and they will get to know you. Note your pharmacy’s telephone number  - you can always get advice over the phone - and read your pharmacy leaflet which will tell you about opening times, urgent prescriptions etc.

When you are thinking of buying a medicine, remember some medicines don’t mix. Be sure to tell your pharmacist if you are taking other medicines. All staff in pharmacies have had special training about medicines. If you ask for a medicine, you will be asked a few questions to check out that the one you have chosen is right for you. Be sure to give the information they need.

With the specialist advice of your pharmacist and the very effective medicines you can buy in pharmacies these days, you can treat yourself and save yourself time and inconvenience. So, make the most of your pharmacist.

Reproduced under the terms of Click-Use Licence number C2009000382. The content of this page has been published under a Click-Use Licence (link this to http://www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/index) which covers the use of core Crown copyright information. The original material can be found on NHS Choices.