How Your Pharmacist Can Assist You

Do you know your pharmacist can be of great help when it comes to common and minor health issues?

We are quite aware of the fact that pharmacists dispense medicines, but they have a lot more to offer. A local pharmacist can offer a wide range of health services that we may not be aware of. For instance, your pharmacist can advise you medical products that help quit smoking, improve sexual health, and support alcohol rehabilitation. Pharmacies promote overall health and wellbeing. Common health services could help save your trip to a GP.

What pharmacy offers?
In United Kingdom, most of us walk or take a short ride to a community pharmacy for medications. We have an easy access to a pharmacist who can help us with safe usage of medicine. The pharmacy team is always there to assist you about healthier lifestyle. You need to require making an appointment with a pharmacist; you just have to walk in. Chemists are happy to serve you through a quick chat.

Pharmacists are trained professional in dispensing the medicines. Hence, they can be able to advise you on appropriate use of over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Moreover, most of the community pharmacies are open on weekend and late night, which is useful when you fall sick at night and there is no GP available in your vicinity.

Repeat Dispensing
If your doctor prescribes blood-thinning medicines, antihypertensive drugs, hypoglycaemic agents (for diabetes) or asthma medicines for the first time, your pharmacist can help you with proper dispensing and directions. Your pharmacist also offers repeat dispensing services, which cuts down the visits to your GP to get another prescription. You can ask your GP for a yearly prescription for chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Your pharmacist will have a chat with you every time to make sure how you are feeling and whether you are suffering from any side effects or undue problems. In case of any side effects, your pharmacist can have a word with your GP.

Reviewing Medicines
In England, many pharmacies offer a special discussion on your medications. If you regularly purchase medicines from your pharmacy, the pharmacist will ask you to go with Medicines Use Reviews (MUR). It is a detailed conversation with your pharmacist about the treatment you are undergoing. Ask your GP to know more about MUR.

When to check with your pharmacist?
Although pharmacists are not certified doctors, they can help with a small range of common health issues and minor injuries – such as pains and aches, cold and cough, and skin rashes. If you have any of these common health issues, your pharmacist can suggest you advice or medicine, if necessary. He/she may also tell you to see your GP if the condition is chronic and severe.
Pharmacists are increasingly helping and supporting people to improve their overall health and wellbeing. They also guide to look after yourself and your families without visiting a GP every time. However, people with diabetes, hypertension and other chronic diseases need regular visits to a GP. This kind of service is not possible when it comes to an online pharmacy in UK, as there is not face-to-face conversation.