Community Pharmacy Consultation Service
Pharmacists can suggest treatments and offer prescription medicines. You can self-refer yourself without the need to see a GP first or make an appointment, by visiting a pharmacy and asking to speak to the pharmacist. How pharmacies can help - NHS
Pharmacists can assess and, where appropriate, supply prescription-only medicines for the following conditions without you needing to see a GP:
- Impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- Infected insect bites (1 year+)
- Earache (1-17 years)
- Sore throat (5 years+)
- Sinusitis (12 years+)
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women 16 to 64)
- Shingles (18+)
Other services that may be available at your local pharmacy include:
- Chlamydia screening and treatment
- Advice and help on how to stop smoking
- Cholesterol and blood sugar testing
- Substance misuse service, including needle and syringe exchange schemes
- Help with newly prescribe medicines Get help with newly prescribed medicines - NHS
- Advice and help on how to manage your weight
- Free blood pressure checks Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks - NHS
Buying medicines for minor illnesses
As part of NHS guidance, medicines that can be bought over the counter from a pharmacy are not usually prescribed by GPs or other NHS clinicians for minor, self-limiting conditions.
This means that if there is a suitable medicine available to buy for the condition being treated, you will normally be advised to purchase it from your local pharmacy, whether you are seen by a GP, nurse or pharmacist. Being eligible for free NHS prescriptions does not automatically mean that over-the-counter medicines can be provided free on prescription.
In some circumstances, a clinician may decide that prescribing is appropriate based on your individual clinical needs, but these are exceptions rather than the rule.
Your local pharmacist can advise you on the most appropriate treatment and will let you know if you need to see another healthcare professional.