Community pharmacies on hand to help

TUESDAY, 23 JUNE, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community pharmacies on hand to help

With professional and friendly staff, community pharmacies are on hand to help with a range of healthcare services and minor ailments from headaches to athlete’s foot.

It is worth remembering the important role that community pharmacies play in providing healthcare services across the Brechin area.

There are two community pharmacies in Brechin, Boots on St David’s Street and Davidson’s Chemists on the High Street and The Pharmacy in Edzell’s High Street.

Community pharmacies offer a Minor Ailment Service which allows eligible individuals to register with and use a community pharmacy of their choice as the first port of call for the treatment of minor ailments.

It is simple to register and you can attend at a time that is convenient to you as no appointment is required. The pharmacist will treat, advise or refer you to another health care professional where appropriate.

Minor ailments that can be treated through this service include acne, athlete’s foot, backache, cold sores, constipation, diarrhoea, earache, allergies, headache, head lice, indigestion, mouth ulcers, nasal congestion, pain, thrush and sore throats amongst others.

You will be eligible for this service if you are registered with a GP, under 16 years of age or under 19 and in full-time education, receiving Income Support or other benefits or aged 60 years or over and not in a nursing or residential home. Please check with your local pharmacist to see if you are eligible to register.

Community pharmacies also offer a range of public health services including promotion of self-care and advice about healthy living options. This includes a smoking cessation service giving advice and nicotine replacement therapies and other smoking cessation products and a sexual health service including advice and support with the morning after pill.

Always check with your community pharmacy first if you accidentally run out of medication and the surgery is closed. The community pharmacy may be able to help you with an urgent supply if the medication is on your repeat prescription request form.

For opening times of community pharmacies, go to www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk.

Contact:

Gaynyr Dickson,

NHS Tayside Communications,

01382 740716

23 June 2015