When should I see a pharmacist first instead of my GP?
Often they are a better place to start – and for many new conditions, and routine monitoring of long-term conditions. This is why more than 1.6 million people go to a pharmacy every day in the UK. Many people feel they are an underused resource in the UK.
Why can your pharmacy help you?
In many ways. This is partly as:
- 95% of the population live less than a mile (20 min walk) from a pharmacy (chemist)
- Many pharmacies are open 7 days a week, some till late (big Boots etc)
- Pharmacists are experienced health professionals who have all done a four year degree, so know alot about healthcare.
Also pharmacists often provide exactly the same medicine you would get from your GP, but without the upto two week wait for a GP appointment (for non-urgent problems).
So. When should I see a pharmacist first instead of my GP?
Here are some problems for which seeing a pharmacist first could benefit you:
- Aches and pains – e.g. back pain, headache and migraine, period pain, teething and toothache
- Accidents – e.g. ankle sprain, minor cuts, grazes and burns
- Allergies – e.g. insect bites and stings
- Colds, flu and other infections – e.g. cough, congestion, sore throat, sinusitis, fevers and/or temperature, simple UTI
- Ear care – e.g. earache, ear wax, ear infection
- Eye care – e.g. bacterial conjunctivitis, styes
- Hay fever – which is not controlled by standard over-the-counter treatments
- Rashes – e.g. impetigo, shingles, skin reactions (e.g. to tablets)
- Skin/mouth/head problems – e.g. athlete’s foot, chickenpox, cold sores, contact dermatitis, mild eczema or psoriasis, fungal infection (ringworm, actually a fungus not a worm), nappy rash, scabies, skin rash, vaginal thrush, head lice, warts and verrucae
- Stomach aches – e.g. constipation, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, indigestion, reflux, threadworm, vomiting.
What else can a pharmacist help you with?
Your pharmacist can also offer you advice on healthy living – like weight loss and dieting, exercise and quitting smoking – as well as providing services like emergency contraception, travel vaccinations and antimalarial tablets for travellers. If you want to delay your period because you’re going on holiday or have a big event coming up, they can sort that too.
They can also check your blood pressure, and do blood tests for diabetes, kidney function (for CKD), review other long-term diseases, and do a full medication check.
‘Two week illness rule’
Note. As a general rule, if a problem lasts over two weeks (max three) you need to see a doctor next, rather than a pharmacist again.
Summary
We have described when should I see a pharmacist first instead of my GP. Please use them more. We hope it has helped you.
