Find pharmacies
Pharmacies do much more than dispense medicines — pharmacists can give confidential advice on minor illnesses and medicines, often without an appointment.
- Updated August 2026
- Clinical review pending
- 1 source
At a glance
- Pharmacists give free, confidential health advice — no appointment needed.
- For some common conditions a pharmacist can help directly.
On this page (2 sections)
Overview
Pharmacies provide medicines and offer free, confidential advice on minor health concerns and how to take your medicines, usually without an appointment [1].
When to use a pharmacy
A pharmacist can help with many everyday health problems and advise whether you need to see a GP. For some common conditions they can supply certain treatments directly [1].
Sources
- NHS. NHS services (opens in new tab) Accessed 12 August 2026.
About this page
- Written by
- Consumer Health editorial team
- Medical review
- Pending — this page has not yet been reviewed by a named clinician. Read our medical review policy.
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Next review due
- August 2027
Important: This information is for general guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional — such as your GP or pharmacist — for advice about your individual circumstances, and do not start, stop or change any prescribed treatment based only on this page. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 999. Consumer Health is an independent health-information resource and is not the NHS or a government body.
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