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Pharmacy 

Your local pharmacy: your first point of contact for everyday health advice, treatment, and support.

Community pharmacies provide easy access to trusted NHS advice, treatment, and support with your medicines. You can visit without an appointment and speak to a qualified healthcare professional who can help you manage minor illness, use medicines safely and stay well.

Many pharmacies are open in the evenings, at weekends, and on bank holidays. Most have private consultation rooms so you can speak confidentially.

Across Essex, pharmacies play a vital role in helping people get the right care, close to home.

You can find pharmacy opening times in Essex on the NHS website.

How can my local pharmacy supports my health?

Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can help you manage everyday health needs and stay well.

They can support you with:

  • Managing minor illnesses and symptoms at home
  • Choosing suitable over-the-counter medicines
  • Understanding when to seek further medical help
  • Preventing illness and improving wellbeing
  • Using medicines safely and effectively
  • Building confidence in self-care

You do not need an appointment to speak to a pharmacist.

By supporting self-care, pharmacies help ensure NHS services are available for people who need urgent or specialist treatment.

How can I find out more about services that local pharmacies offer?

You can visit the NHS website for more information about the services pharmacies can offer including:

If another service is more appropriate, they will help you access the right support.

NHS Pharmacy First

Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, pharmacists can supply certain prescription-only medicines following a confidential assessment. You do not usually need to see a GP first.

Conditions currently included

  • Ear Infection (Acute Otitis Media) – Ages 1 to 17
  • Impetigo – 1 year and over
  • Infected Insect Bites – 1 year and over
  • Shingles – 18 years and over
  • Sinusitis – 12 years and over
  • Sore Throat – 5 years and over
  • Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) – Women aged 16 to 64

Availability may vary depending on clinical assessment and local arrangements.

Pharmacists will only supply medicines when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

No. Most pharmacy services are available without an appointment. You can usually walk in and ask to speak to a pharmacist.

Emergency prescription requests can be submitted via 111 online: Emergency prescriptions – NHS 111

If you take regular medicines, order your repeat prescription at least 7 days before you run out.

You can order through:

  • The NHS App
  • The NHS website
  • Your GP practice (where available)

No. Pharmacists support minor illness, medicines use, and prevention. They will refer you to your GP or another service if needed.

No. Supply depends on your symptoms, eligibility, and clinical assessment. Not all conditions can be treated through Pharmacy First.

Most pharmacies have private consultation rooms where you can speak confidentially with a pharmacist.

Yes. Many services are suitable for children, but age limits apply for some treatments. Your pharmacist will advise you.

You should contact your GP, NHS 111, or urgent care services if:

  • Your symptoms are severe or worsening
  • You feel very unwell
  • Symptoms last longer than expected
  • You are concerned about a child, older person, or someone with complex needs
  • You are unsure what to do

Call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, such as chest pain, severe breathlessness, loss of consciousness, or signs of stroke.

If you think you or someone you care for may need palliative care or specialist medicines, speak to a healthcare professional involved in their care as soon as possible.

This could be:

  • Their GP
  • A community nurse
  • A hospital doctor or nurse
  • A hospice team

They can assess the situation and prescribe medicines if needed.

If urgent medicines are required outside normal GP opening hours, contact NHS 111 for advice. In an emergency, call 999.

Some community pharmacies in Essex are commissioned to hold agreed stocks of specialist palliative and end of life medicines. Visit our End of Life care page for more information pharmacies are listed below.

Your usual pharmacy may also be able to supply medicines but may need to order them. If you are unsure where to go, your GP, community nurse or NHS 111 can direct you to the most appropriate pharmacy.

If possible, contact the pharmacy in advance to check opening times and availability.

Video: How pharmacists can help with minor illnesses (BSL)

This British Sign Language (BSL) video explains how community pharmacists can support people with common conditions without needing to see a GP first.

It includes information about earache, sore throats, and urinary tract infections.

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