RESIDENTS are being urged to think Pharmacy First for common winter illnesses.
The NHS in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull is reminding residents they can get checked out and treatments for earache, sinusitis and a sore throat without the need to see a GP.
Many people are unaware that pharmacists are trained, trusted clinicians who can assess symptoms, give expert advice and, where appropriate, provide NHS-funded treatment for these conditions.
Local pharmacists can assess and treat patients for a number of minor conditions without the need for a GP appointment or prescription, including:
- sinusitis (adults and children aged 12 years and over)
- sore throat (adults and children aged 5 years and over)
- earache (children and young adults aged 1 to 17 years)
- infected insect bite (adults and children aged 1 year and over)
- impetigo (adults and children aged 1 year and over)
- shingles (adults aged 18 years and over)
- uncomplicated urinary tract infection (women aged 16 to 64 years).
Using Pharmacy First also helps keep GP appointments and urgent care services available for those with more serious health needs.
Jagjeet Sagoo, pharmacist and group pharmacy manager of Pan Pharmacy in Birmingham, said: “There’s more to your community pharmacy than simply being somewhere to collect a prescription.
“Community pharmacies can be found at the heart of local communities, and it means a lot to us to be part of the community, too.
“Through Pharmacy First, we can offer even more, providing advice and prescription medication, if appropriate, for seven common conditions.
“Your pharmacist at your community pharmacy is a trained clinician – someone who’s spent at least five years training in the use of medicines, as well as being trained to assess and treat patients, helping you and your family with minor illnesses. Through Pharmacy First, we’re supporting patients with conditions such as sore throats, earache and sinus pain every day.”
