Pharmacists - your medicine experts

There are many pharmacist roles and all pharmacists can play an important part at every stage of your journey.

Community Pharmacist

Where they work:

 High-street pharmacies, supermarkets, adjacent to GP practices.

What they do:

• Dispense your prescriptions and offer advice on medicines you buy over the counter
• Provide services under the Common Ailments Scheme (CAS) – this service provides patients with free NHS advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses
• Provide additional services like flu jabs, blood pressure checks, and help to stop smoking
• Some community pharmacists can prescribe for an extended range of common conditions
• They can refer you to other healthcare services if needed

Follow this link for general information on healthcare service close to you

Follow this link to find out what services your community pharmacist provides

Primary Care Pharmacist

Where they work:

GP practices, virtual wards, care homes

What they do:

• Help you understand and manage your medicines, for example if you have a long-term condition like high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, to name just a few
• Review your medicines to make sure they’re safe, effective, and still needed
• Work closely with your GP to support your care and review your medicines
• Majority are trained to prescribe medicines directly, just like a doctor or nurse prescriber

Hospital Pharmacist

Where they work:

NHS hospitals and specialist units.

What they do:

• Make sure you get the right medicines when you are in hospital or at a hospital-based clinic
• Work with doctors and nurses to plan safe and effective treatments
• Help prepare you for going home, for example by explaining any changes to your medicines
• May specialise in areas like cardiac care, cancer care, renal failure, children’s health, or intensive care to name just a few