Ahsan Bhatti, Superintendent Pharmacist at licensed online pharmacy Quick Meds and owner of Frankley Pharmacy in Birmingham, explains how making greater use of pharmacy services could help people get the healthcare support they need while easing pressure on the NHS.
Coughs, colds and respiratory infections are among the common ailments that typically become more widespread during the winter months. This seasonal increase in illness can place considerable pressure on NHS services, with GP surgeries, urgent care centres and A&E departments all experiencing higher demand.
Yet when people need advice or treatment, waiting for an available GP appointment isn’t their only option. Community pharmacies can provide an accessible alternative for a range of common health concerns, although their services are still frequently overlooked.
Many still think of pharmacists as simply the people who dispense GP-issued prescriptions, but our role has actually grown considerably over the years. Today, qualified pharmacists can offer advice, assess a range of common conditions and, where appropriately trained and authorised, prescribe treatment.
That’s especially useful when getting seen quickly by your local GP proves difficult. Last winter, it was reported that an additional 300,000 patients waited for a month to see a GP compared with the previous year – so knowing when your pharmacist can help could help you get treated much sooner.
The NHS Pharmacy First scheme has now made it much easier to access treatment at community pharmacies for common conditions without needing a GP appointment, but part of the reason people still don’t use pharmacies enough is the lack of awareness of the types of issues a pharmacist can help with.
As an example, we typically see and treat patients with common health and lifestyle issues uch as colds, sore throats, sinus problems, migraines, cystitis, thrush, bacterial vaginosis (BV), urinary tract infections (UTIs), period pain, acne, rosacea and impetigo, as well as lifestyle issues like hair loss, erectile dysfunction (ED) and weight management.
If you’re suffering with any of these issues, you might automatically head straight to your GP. But depending on your symptoms, medical history and the treatment needed, Pharmacist Independent Prescribers can prescribe any licensed medicine within their scope of clinical competence, including antibiotics.
You don’t necessarily have to visit a pharmacy in person, either. Licensed online pharmacies across the UK like Quick Meds, who are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, can offer consultations with qualified clinicians, including senior prescribing pharmacists, allowing patients to seek advice and treatment remotely through an established clinical process.
These services are especially important for people juggling work, caring responsibilities or difficulties getting out of the house, as well as in cases where patients may feel embarrassed to discuss their concerns face to face.
It’s always important to check the legitimacy of your chosen online pharmacy, though. The pharmacy website should clearly display the name of the owner, the name of the superintendent pharmacist, the name and physical address of the pharmacy, and the registration number of the pharmacy. If the online pharmacy offers a private prescription service, the website should also state the name and registration number of all prescribers.
Winter is one of the toughest times of year for the NHS, but by turning to pharmacies for non-urgent conditions, patients may be able to access the advice and treatment they need while helping to ensure GP appointments are available for those who need them most.
For more information or to book an online consultation, visit www.quickmeds.co.uk
