Blog: from colds to UTIs, find out how your pharmacy can help

Blog by Shahzad Khan, Pharmacist in Chesterfield

We all get minor illnesses from time to time and if, like me, you can’t wait to get better, you’ll want to find the quickest way to recovery.

The good news is that pharmacists can help with more of these illnesses than ever before.

This week is ‘Ask Your Pharmacist Week’, so I’m taking the opportunity to raise the profile of pharmacists in Derby and Derbyshire and what we can offer you.

Whether you’re suffering from a common cold or need advice on managing a minor health condition, we are here to help.

About pharmacists

Pharmacists train for five years before we can qualify, learning about the human body, the use of medicines to treat disease and diagnosing common illnesses.

After that, we undergo continuing professional development, so that our skills are always up to date.

We also work alongside a team of trained staff such as Pharmacy Technicians, dispensing assistants, and medicine counter assistants.

Very importantly, we know how to spot the signs of serious illness and will refer you to a doctor or other health care professional for a check-up or for treatment if necessary.

Pharmacies have private consultation rooms and many are open over the weekend or have late opening hours, making it quick and convenient to get advice.

Conditions pharmacists treat

As winter draws near, many of us will start to feel the familiar symptoms of coughs and colds.

While these viruses can’t be cured by a visit to your doctor, your local pharmacy team can offer advice and recommend medications to manage your symptoms, without needing to make an appointment.

We can also treat the below conditions under a scheme called ‘Pharmacy First’.

  • impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
  • infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
  • earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
  • sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
  • sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
  • urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
  • shingles (aged 18 years and over)

Your local pharmacy can also offer free blood pressure checks for those over 40 to help identify people with hypertension (high blood pressure). If you have suspected hypertension, you will be referred for treatment and your pharmacist will give you advise on healthy behaviours.

You also can now get the contraceptive pill through a pharmacist, saving a trip to the GP!

Accessing the Pharmacy First scheme

Simply visit your local pharmacy and ask for advice, you don’t need to make an appointment.

Your pharmacist will assess your symptoms and decide on the best course of action. This might include recommending over-the-counter medications or offering advice on self-care.

For certain conditions, they may be able to offer a prescription medication, or they may direct you to another healthcare service if needed.

Pharmacies usually have longer opening hours and you don’t need an appointment so it makes it really easy and convenient to get advice when you’re not feeling well.

This #AskYourPharmacistWeek, I’d encourage everyone to check where their nearest pharmacy is, maybe even take a moment to visit the team and ask any questions you might have.

Your local Pharmacist is part of your community and we want to remind people that we are here to support you with more than just medicine — we’re a resource for health advice, information, and guidance.

Note: For more information on the Pharmacy First Scheme, including eligibility and the conditions covered, please visit the NHS website.