Highland pharmacies can give a range of health advice and treatment
As a community pharmacist, I’m proud of the services we offer patients.
A pharmacy is the first point of call for people who need over-the-counter medication, but did you know that pharmacy teams can offer advice, treatment for many common ailments, and referral to other healthcare teams if needed?
This service is called Pharmacy First and is available from all pharmacies in Scotland which dispense NHS prescriptions.
Anyone who lives in Scotland can use Pharmacy First.
You do not usually need an appointment for this and you can go to any pharmacy, making it one of the most accessible ways to check out a minor illness or niggle without having to see your GP.
We can provide treatment for things like backache, cystitis, haemorrhoids, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, or, in some cases following strict criteria, shingles, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
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Some products and medicines can be prescribed by pharmacists on the NHS at no charge, and some pharmacists like me have an additional prescribing qualification, which means they can prescribe a wider range of medicines.
Remember, with bank holidays coming up, to make sure you have enough of your regular medication to see you through the festive period.
You can also speak to your pharmacist if you no longer need medication on your prescription – for example, if you GP has recommended a lower dose or if you have two medications on one script but use one up faster than the other.
We can help you to get the right amount to prevent waste.
When you visit the pharmacy, the pharmacist or one of our team will ask you for some information, including your name, date of birth and postcode. Then we will ask about your symptoms.
You can ask to use the pharmacy’s consultation area or room if you want to speak in private.
There may still be times your pharmacist thinks you need to see a GP or other healthcare professional.
If that’s the case, we will advise you on how to do that.
With winter bringing seasonal viruses like colds and flu, as well as a risk of slipping on icy ground, it’s important to look after yourself and stay well.
A quick visit to the pharmacy might be just what the doctor ordered!
James Higgins of Dalneigh Pharmacy is community pharmacy champion.
