When should you go to the pharmacy vs the GP?

Can I just walk into a pharmacy for advice?

You can go visit the pharmacist without needing to make an appointment.

Many pharmacies are open at convenient times, including some evenings and weekends. And it’s usually possible to find a pharmacy which is open until midnight or later.

What can a pharmacist help with?

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals. All pharmacists have studied for at least four years, and many have had years of experience since qualifying. They have become experts in medicines – both those that are prescribed but also those available over the counter. So, they know what their uses are, what the side effects could be, and what to avoid while you’re taking them. They also understand how your body works and can offer you health advice about minor issues.

Help with minor issues

In case you’re not sure about what counts as a minor health issue, the type of things pharmacists can help with include:

• sore throats and coughs
• stomach upsets (such as constipation, diarrhoea, and indigestion)
• cold and flu
• aches and pains (including headaches, period pains, minor back pain, and sprains)
• fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, and oral and vaginal thrush
• mouth ulcers
• hayfever
• conjunctivitis
• mild skin problems (such as skin rash or mild eczema)

To help you with these issues, pharmacists can offer you over the counter medicines which are appropriate for your condition. They can tell you how to take them safely as well as identify any possible contraindications (reasons why you shouldn’t take them).

Some pharmacists have done additional training to enable them to treat minor illnesses, and some can prescribe specific medication that you cannot buy over the counter. Pharmacists can often help you decide if you need to see a GP initially or whether you can try some other approaches first.

You can see a pharmacist to get prescription medicines for some conditions, without needing to see a GP. A pharmacist will see you in a consultation room and can prescribe you medicine for your condition if needed. This is the Pharmacy First service, for conditions including:

• earache (1 to 17 years)
• impetigo (1 year and over)
• infected insect bites (1 year and over)
• shingles (18 years and over)
• sinusitis (12 years and over)
• sore throats (5 years and over)
• urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)

Wellbeing services

Pharmacists can also usually offer you a range of general wellbeing services. These can include:

• blood pressure checks and stop smoking schemes
• seasonal vaccinations, including the flu and COVID-19 vaccines in autumn or winter
• travel vaccinations and medicines for travel (such as anti-malaria tablets and travel sickness tablets)

You may be able to access additional services such as emergency contraception, weight management programmes, and sexual health services. Check with your local pharmacy to see what they provide.

Medicine checks

You can get help with using certain new medicines via the New Medicine Service. Here, pharmacies can offer you detailed advice and support with using new medicines for conditions including:

• asthma
• atrial fibrillation
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• coronary heart disease
• depression (for people aged 18 and over)
• diabetes (type 2)
• epilepsy
• glaucoma
• gout
• heart conditions such as unstable angina  or heart attack 
• heart failure
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• high cholesterol 
• long term risk of blood clots or blocked blood vessels
• osteoporosis 
• Parkinson's disease 
• stroke  or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• urinary incontinence 

This includes a series of appointments, beginning when you first start your new medication, and then later on – to see how you are getting on. It can help you to work out a plan for when to take your medication, how to manage side effects, and other lifestyle considerations.

How do I know when to go to a GP?

It’s a good idea to see a GP if you have a new health issue (that isn’t in this list), ongoing symptoms that aren’t going away, or are worried about your health.

Doctors are trained to diagnose conditions, run appropriate tests, and prescribe a wider range of medications. They can also refer you to a relevant expert if this is required.

There are certain symptoms and concerns that would require an appointment with a GP. We can’t list everything, but here are a few of the types of things that you should discuss with a GP:

• unexpected weight loss
• a persistent cough or breathlessness (that doesn’t need emergency attention)
• unexplained bruising or bleeding
• skin lesions that will not heal
• changing moles
• new lumps or bumps
• digestive issues such as persistent indigestion, persistent diarrhoea, or blood in your poo
• recurring urine infections
• low mood or anxiety
• ongoing pain (for example from your back, periods or stomach)

If you are struggling to get a GP appointment or are confused about where to get help, then you can also call 111 for health advice. Here you can have your symptoms assessed and find out which type of support would suit your needs.

And, if you become unwell outside your GP opening hours, 111 can also refer you onto out of hours care if you need it.

If you have a medical emergency that’s life threatening you should call 999 right away.