Pharmacy First

Posted by: ethan - Posted on:

Free advice and medication from your pharmacist

With hospital A&E departments, GPs and urgent care centres under pressure, patients with minor ailments in West Leicestershire are being urged to make their local pharmacy their first port of call.

The new Pharmacy First service has been launched by West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which plans and pays for many of the area’s NHS services

Many winter ailments – coughs, colds, sore throats, dry skin – along with other complaints such as constipation and diarrhoea, joint or muscle pain, allergies, rashes, conjunctivitis, cuts and grazes can be treated under the new scheme without the need for a GP appointment.

Pharmacy First is available to patients who currently receive free prescriptions and are registered with a GP in the area. Under the service, eligible patients will receive a consultation with the pharmacist about their minor ailment. If pharmacists feel an over-the-counter medicine is appropriate to treat the problem they will be able to supply a product listed under the scheme free of charge.

Eligible patients can register for the Pharmacy First minor ailments service with any pharmacy taking part. You can register at any time – you don’t have to make an appointment. Also remember that even if you don’t qualify to use the free Pharmacy First service you can still go to any pharmacy to receive expert professional advice or buy over the counter medicines to treat your minor illness or complaint.

When you register, your pharmacist may ask you for some information, including your name, date of birth and postcode, and possibly proof that you are exempt from paying prescription charges. If you regularly use a pharmacy they may already have this information recorded but try to remember to take proof of exemption with you.

Your pharmacist will complete a computerised form and will ask for your consent to share information about your minor ailment and any medication supplied with your GP. You need to give your consent to be eligible to use the service.