Pharmacies
Pharmacies are places you can go to buy medication, get your prescriptions and general medical advice.
Many pharmacies are open late and over the weekends and you do not need an appointment to see a professional.
Some offer delivery services, so check with your local pharmacy.
Get prescription medication for some conditions without a GP appointment
Community pharmacists can also supply prescription medicines if you need them for seven different conditions without you needing to see a GP, under a new scheme called Pharmacy First.
These conditions are:
- earache in children (aged 1 to 17 years)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women (aged 16 to 64 years)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
How do I find my nearest pharmacy?
How do I get a prescription?
You can only get some medications with a prescription from a GP or hospital.
If you think you may need antibiotics or any other medication that requires a prescription, you need to make an appointment with your GP to get a prescription.
The GP will then give you a prescription you can take to a pharmacy to get your medication. Some prescriptions are free, but most have a flat rate charge.
How do I get a repeat prescription?
To request a repeat prescription will need to request this at your GP Practice. Every GP Practice does this differently. Contact your GP practice to ask for your preferred way of ordering your prescriptions.
You may need to:
- Phone up the GP
- Write a letter to the GP
- Send them an email
- Submit a request via an app, like the NHS app
Can I get help paying for prescriptions?
You can apply for a HC2 certificate, which helps you with your healthcare costs.
Visit the NHS website to make an application and you may be able to get to free prescriptions.
Can I pay for my prescriptions monthly?
If your GP says you need medication, they will give you a prescription that you can use at any local pharmacy. You often need to pay for prescriptions.The standard cost is £9.90 per item.
If you require many prescriptions, you may find it cheaper to purchase a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC). A PPC covers all your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need. A PPC does not cover the cost of other health items, such as wigs and fabric supports.
- A 3-month PPC costs £32.05 and will save you money if you need more than 3 prescribed items in 3 months.
- A 12-month PPC costs £114.50 and will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year.
- A hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC costs £19.80 and will save you money if you need more than 2 prescribed qualifying HRT items in a year.
Services at your local pharmacy
NHS blood pressure service
You can get a free blood pressure check if you:
- are aged 40 or over
- live in England
You cannot get a free blood pressure check if you:
- already have high blood pressure
- have had your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional in the past 6 months
Contact your local pharmacy to book an appointment.
Flu vaccination services
You can check if you are eligible for the free NHS flu vaccination service on the NHS website.
October and November are the best months to get vaccinated for maximum flu protection (protection from the vaccine can decrease over time in adults).
Pharmacy contraception service
You can go to your local pharmacy to new or repeat prescriptions for oral contraception (tablets).
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