Allergy Screening
One in three of the United Kingdom’s population experiences an allergic reaction at some time in their life. Community pharmacy allergy screening is a private service that involves the pharmacist taking a full allergy history and then discussing how best to reduce the symptoms of allergy. If required, a ‘pin prick’ allergy test can be performed which involves taking a drop of blood from the patient to confirm what may be causing the allergy. The screening will be followed up by Allergy UK, a charity that offers a tailored information pack and a follow up telephone consultation. Use our pharmacy service finder to find out where you can get this service.

Chlamydia Testing and Treatment
Chlamydia Testing and Treatment is a private service although some community pharmacies offer an NHS service to those under 25s. To find out if you have chlamydia all you need to do is buy a chlamydia test (a simple urine test) which is then sent off to the laboratory for results. Should your results be positive, visit a pharmacy participating in the chlamydia service to confirm you are suitable for treatment. Partners should also be treated so the infection is not passed back to you and you’ll be advised to keep practising safe sex to avoid getting chlamydia again. Use our pharmacy service finder to find out where you can get this service.

Health Checks
The NHS in England has pledged that community pharmacies will be introducing free health checks for people between the ages of 40 and 74 over the next few years to tackle heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. There may be some areas already offering the service through the NHS throughout the United Kingdom and some pharmacies will also offer the service privately to all patients. Health checks usually involve the measurement of patients’ blood pressure, cholesterol and Body Mass Index (BMI). Advice and support through weight management programmes is also available through many community pharmacies. Use our pharmacy service finder to find out where you can get this service.

Medicine Check-ups
Sometimes also known as Medicines Use Reviews (MURs) is a free consultation with a pharmacist about a person’s medicines. Consultations are held in a private consultation area so your conversation will not be overheard. The service aims to improve people’s understanding of their medicines. Use our pharmacy service finder to find out where you can get this service.

Minor Ailments
Pharmacists can help the public with their ‘minor ailments’ by providing advice and treatment. ‘Minor ailments’ are common self-limiting conditions such as athlete’s foot, diarrhoea, headlice, haemorrhoids etc. NHS Minor ailment services run in certain areas around the United Kingdom for people who are exempt for prescription charges. The service means that a pharmacist can give the patient advice and medicine on the NHS without the patient having to go to the GP for a prescription. Use our pharmacy service finder to find out where you can get this service.

Smoking Cessation
Many pharmacies offer stop smoking services and all provide Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Smoking cessation services involve a consultation with the pharmacist who will create a programme to improve your chances of giving up. Sometimes carbon monoxide monitoring will be used to help encourage you to quit. Use our pharmacy service finder to find out where you can get this service.

Supplementary Prescribing
The service is based on a partnership between a GP and a pharmacist with the patient’s agreement, to implement an agreed plan, to help manage their long-term condition. The pharmacist will support the patient in managing their condition, including ordering of diagnostic tests, monitoring test results and response to treatment and adjusting treatment accordingly. The pharmacist will also refer to other primary care professionals where appropriate. Long-term conditions include asthma and diabetes. Use our pharmacy service finder to find out where you can get this service.

So go on... ‘Ask your Pharmacist’ this week... you’ll be taking good advice.

7 facts about community pharmacy

• Every day, about 1.8 million people visit a pharmacy, while 84% of adults visit a pharmacy at least once a year
• Community pharmacists are highly skilled healthcare professionals who need to have gone through a four year degree, specialising in the use and effects of medicines. They then work one year in a community pharmacy before qualifying
• Community pharmacy could manage an estimated 8% of adult attendances to Accident & Emergency departments by treating minor ailments2
• Estimates suggest that the NHS could save about £380 million a year if 1 in 4 patients consulted their local pharmacist about minor ailments instead of their GP3
• Around 970 million prescriptions were dispensed in the UK in 2007 (~796 million – England; ~82 million – Scotland, ~65 million – Wales, ~30 million – Northern Ireland)4
• It is not just pharmacists who have qualifications. All Medicines Counter Assistants have to go through professional accredited training
• Community pharmacies provide a range of healthcare services from chlamydia testing and treatment to stop smoking services