Upton Group Practice

You and Your Pharmacist

If you or a member of your family feels unwell, your local pharmacy may be your first port of call.

Pharmacies are easy to find and accessible.  You do not need to wait for an appointment or travel to your GP to discuss minor health issues and problems.  You can talk to your Pharmacist in total confidence.  Usually, the problems can be sorted  ‘on the spot’.

The pharmacy is there to support your GP by offering general health advice about minor health problems together with advice on diet, how to give up smoking, alcohol use and what medicines to take on holiday.  They can also provide professional advice on family planning and baby care.

They supply aids and products associated with chiropody, incontinence and ostomies, as well as surgical hosiery, trusses and dressings.  Your Pharmacist may be able to test you for cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and pregnancy.

More and more medicines are now available over the counter without a prescription, and there is a growing trend for people not to go to the doctor with a common illness, but to treat it themselves.

Before you buy any medicine, it is important that you receive the correct advice.  If the Pharmacist or assistant asks you questions before selling you any medicine, do not be offended.  They are doing their best to help you.  They need to know as much as possible about you and your illness in order to recommend the most appropriate treatment.

The Pharmacist may suggest that:-

¨    Your condition does not need any particular medicine

¨    You try taking a particular non-prescription medicine

¨    You should go to the doctor first before taking anything

If your Pharmacist recommends that you see your doctor, follow that advice.

 Medicines

¨    Do not expect your GP to give you a prescription every time you visit.  You may simply not need any medicine!

 ¨    If you are given a prescription, it may be for a medicine under its ‘generic’ or general name, not under its better-known ‘trade’ name.   All drugs prescribed by your GP are tested to the same high standard and while the colour, shape, size and taste of your regular medicine may differ from what you may be used to, the active ingredients will be the same.

By prescribing you a ‘generic’ medicine, your GP is saving the NHS money which can be spent on other NHS services.

 ¨    Many of the drugs you may be prescribed are now available directly from your local pharmacist.  These are called ‘over the counter’ drugs and often cost less than a prescription charge.  Your GP or Pharmacist will be happy to tell you if your medicine is available over the counter.

Do not forget your local pharmacist can also help you with a wide range of health issues.  Ask their advice: it may save you a trip to the surgery.

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Last modified: 30/01/2012