Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can also help you with minor health concerns.
As qualified healthcare professionals, they can dispense prescribed medication and offer free clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of common ailments, such as coughs, colds, skin rashes, bites and aches and pains.
Pharmacies throughout Wales offer a Common Ailments Service. The Common Ailments Service offers patients a free NHS consultation and free medication for 27 common ailments that cannot be managed by self-care alone, offering an alternative to making an appointment with the GP or an out-of-hours doctor.
The conditions are:
•Acne
•Diarrhoea
•Nappy rash
•Athletes Foot
•Dry Eye
•Oral thrush
•Backache (acute)
•Haemorrhoids
•Ringworm
•Chickenpox
•Hayfever
•Scabies
•Cold sores
•Head Lice
•Sore throat
•Colic
•Indigestion
•Teething
•Conjunctivitis (bacterial)
•Intertrigo
•Threadworm
•Constipation
•Ingrowing toenail
•Vaginal thrush
•Dermatitis (dry skin)
•Mouth Ulcers
•Verruca
Pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. So, if your symptoms suggest that you need to see another healthcare professional (e.g. a GP, nurse, optometrist or dentist), then your pharmacist will point you in the best direction.