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Traditionally, the pharmacist’s role has been to dispense medicines. Since 2005, the role of the pharmacist in England and Wales has widened, although the exact nature of the help available will vary from area to area depending on the qualifications of the pharmacist.
In general, pharmacists in England and Wales can:
- provide repeat prescriptions (if available from your GP service)
- advise on general health issues, such as healthy eating, giving up smoking and taking exercise
- dispose of unwanted medicines
- provide medicines use reviews for those with long-term conditions
- signpost towards further information and support
- provide blood pressure monitoring, diabetes tests and cholesterol tests
The role of pharmacists in Scotland has also widened. Selected pharmacists can prescribe medicines for minor ailments for people who are exempt from prescription charges. Minor ailments include pain, cough and colds. Pharmacists can also provide advice on general health issues.
The provision of additional services by pharmacists is still under negotiation in Northern Ireland.
Pharmacists in Scotland and Northern Ireland provide the standard pharmacy services of dispensing medications and giving general advice.
