Pharmacists and their teams are experts in medicines and can help with minor health concerns.
A pharmacist, or a member of the pharmacy team, can give you advice and treatment (if you need it) for various minor illnesses and common clinical conditions.
Pharmacists, like GPs, can only provide certain medicines and products on the NHS. All of these are proven to be effective in treating your condition.
If you want a specific medicine or product, you may need to buy it. The pharmacist will give you advice on this.
Some pharmacists have an additional prescribing qualification which allows them to prescribe a wider range of medicines, normally only available from your GP practice.
If the pharmacist, or a member of their team, thinks it is better for you to see your GP or another healthcare professional, they may refer you directly or tell you to make an appointment.
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is available from all pharmacies in Scotland that dispense NHS prescriptions.
You can choose which pharmacy to use.
In most cases, you don’t have to make an appointment.
When you visit the pharmacy, the pharmacist (or one of their team) will ask you for some information, including your name, date of birth and postcode.
The pharmacist, or a member of their team, will:
- ask you about your symptoms
- give you advice on your condition
- provide medication (if you need it)
- refer you to another healthcare professional (for example, your GP) if they think this is necessary
- set up a Patient Medication Record (PMR) to make a note of any advice and treatment they give you
You can ask to use the pharmacy’s consultation area or room if you want to speak to the pharmacist in private.
