What do I do if I run out of my medicines over the Christmas period?
Check your supply of regular prescribed medicines NOW! If you are likely to run short over Christmas and New Year make sure you get your prescription in time and collect it from the pharmacy before it closes for the holiday period. GPs and pharmacies can be very busy in the run up to Christmas, so don’t leave it until the last minute. If you are away from home and have forgotten your regular medicines, you can get an emergency supply from us. The best advice though is to plan ahead!
WE ARE OPEN CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY 12PM TO 3PM AND
Tuesday the 27thDec and Tues 3rdJan 11am to 2pm
What’s the best way to treat a cold?
According to a recent survey by the National Pharmacy Association, one in ten people think the best way to treat a cold is by taking antibiotics. THIS IS INCORRECT as antibiotics can only cure bacterial infections, not viral infections such as common colds and coughs. The best way to treat most coughs and colds is to drink plenty of fluids and to rest. There are many over the counter remedies to ease symptoms – call in and ask us for advice. If your symptoms last for more than three weeks, or you become breathless, have chest pains, fever, or already have a chest complaint, see your doctor.
Share gifts not medicines this Christmas and New Year
Where medicine is concerned sharing isn’t caring. You may think you’re helping your friend or relative by giving them medicines that your GP has prescribed for you but this can be dangerous as the medicine may not be suitable for other people. The same goes for non-prescription medicines like painkillers. For example, if you have high blood pressure, bleeding disorders, asthma, stomach ulcers or liver and kidney disease, aspirin may not be suitable for you. Similarly, Ibuprofen is not suitable if you have blood clotting problems, stomach ulcers, kidney or heart problems.
What minor ailments can pharmacists help with?
If people with minor ailments like coughs and colds and ear and eye infections visited their pharmacy rather than their GP, this could save 57 million GP consultations a year. And it could save your time too. You don’t need an appointment to see your pharmacist and we run a minor ailment service, which means that we can supply medicines for certain self-limiting conditions on the NHS. If you have something more serious, we are trained to know when to refer you on.