Pharmacy

Latest News

NPN | Pharmacy First | Infected Insect Bites

In the middle of a healthcare revolution, Pharmacy First is transforming the way we approach and manage primary healthcare. This forward-thinking initiative, building upon the foundation of the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, has positioned community pharmacies as central to the management of minor health concerns. Among these, insect bites can often lead to discomfort and, in some cases, more serious health complications. Pharmacy First offers a timely and efficient solution to address these concerns, ensuring that UK residents can receive prompt and professional care.


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NPN | Pharmacy First | Ear Ache

Embarking on a healthcare revolution, Pharmacy First is rewriting the rules of primary healthcare across the UK. This trailblazing service, building upon the foundation laid by the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, lifts community pharmacies to new heights in the management of minor illnesses and urgent medication needs. It's a game-changer, especially for those grappling with the discomfort of earache—a condition that spares no age but often hits the youngest among us the hardest.


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NPN | Pharmacy First | Sore Throat

Pharmacy First is revolutionising the nation’s approach to staying healthy. This innovative service builds on the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, and highlights the crucial role of community pharmacies in addressing minor health issues. Sore Throats are one of the more common complaints that people need help with - it affects all ages, and although it’s a common ailment, it can sometimes indicate more serious health concerns.


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NPN | Winter Getaways

As the winter season approaches, many of us start daydreaming about escaping to warmer destinations for a well-deserved holiday. Whether your fantasy includes basking in the sun on golden sands or hitting the slopes of a snowy wonderland, planning a winter getaway is always exciting. But before you pack your bags and head off for your dream destination, take the time to make sure you’re protected against potential health risks. That’s where travel vaccinations, or travel jabs, come into play.


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NPN | Winter is Coming

As summer drifts further from view, and we collectively reach for our cold-weather coats and retire the shorts for the winter, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to make sure we all stay healthy and vibrant throughout the cold season. Your local pharmacy is perfectly positioned to help, as more than just a place to pick up your prescription. Find your nearest pharmacy today and discover a treasure trove of solutions for common winter ailments.


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NPN | Flu Jab & COVID Booster 2023: Book Yours Today!

As the flu season looms, safeguarding your health becomes even more important - especially with the spectre of COVID-19 revving up for another winter. One of the most effective ways to protect against seasonal coughs and sneezes is to get the flu jab. Starting from September 11th, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are available at your community pharmacy, making it easy for vulnerable people to access this essential service.


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NPN | Ear Check-ups at Your Local Pharmacy

When it comes to healthcare, early intervention is often the key to preventing bigger issues down the road. Our ears, often overlooked in our routine check-ups, play a crucial role in our daily lives. They influence our balance, guard our healing, and affect our overall well-being - so ensuring their health is important. Where can you turn to for a quick, convenient ear assessment? Your local pharmacy is a great starting point, and here’s why:


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NPN | Flu Jab 2023: Book Yours Today!

As the flu season approaches, it’s important for everybody to take proactive measures to safeguard their health and well-being. One of the most effective ways to protect against seasonal coughs and sneezes is to get the flu jab. Starting from September 11th, your community pharmacies will be offering flu vaccinations for vulnerable groups, making it easy for people to access this essential service.

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NPN | Beat the Heat at your Local Pharmacy

With heatwaves enveloping the UK, staying healthy when the temperatures climb is crucial. Extreme heat can take a toll on our bodies, leading to dehydration, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses. Although we should all be enjoying the sunshine and warm weather, it’s also important to take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and those around us when the weather gets hot. Taking the time to pop into your local pharmacy for essentials could help you keep your cool in the coming weeks.


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NPN | Add Your Local Pharmacy to your Travel Check-List

Planning your holiday takes a lot of preparation. You’ve booked the flights and accommodation, you’re planning what to pack - but amidst the excitement, it’s easy to overlook a crucial aspect of your travel planning: a visit to your local pharmacy! Although it may not be the first thing on your mind, a trip to the pharmacy down the road can provide you with countless services and products that will make your trip more comfortable and stress-free. Here are a few of the reason why you should make a stop at your local pharmacy before you go on holiday.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Zinc

If you're the type of person who only visits the local pharmacy when you're feeling unwell, you might be missing out on a valuable resource to keep you fit and healthy throughout the year. Behind the counter, your community pharmacy team holds a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can help you get the most out of your daily routine. Along with their fully stocked shelves of supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you’re getting enough of what you need for your body to thrive, including an essential mineral called zinc.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Selenium

If you’re the type of person who only visits the local pharmacy when you’re feeling unwell, you might be missing out on a valuable resource to keep you fit and healthy throughout the year. Behind the counter, your community pharmacy team holds a wealth of knowledge and expertise so that you can get the most out of your daily routine. Along with their fully stocked shelves of supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you’re getting enough of what you need for your body to thrive, including an essential mineral called selenium.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Potassium

If you're the type of person who only visits the local pharmacy when you're feeling unwell, you might be missing out on a valuable resource to keep you fit and healthy throughout the year. Behind the counter, your community pharmacy team holds a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can help you get the most out of your daily routine. Along with their fully stocked shelves of supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you’re getting enough of what you need for your body to thrive, including an essential mineral called potassium.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Omega-3

If you’re the sort of person who only visits your local pharmacy when you’re feeling unwell, you may be missing out on a wealth of knowledge and resources that can keep you fit and healthy all year round. From a fully stocked shelf of supplements to the expertise of your community pharmacy team, a quick chat with your pharmacist can ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive, including the essential nutrient Omega-3.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Magnesium

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.

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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Vitamin K

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Iron

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.

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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Iodine

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Folic Acid

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.

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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Vitamin E

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Vitamin D

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Vitamin C

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.

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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Vitamin B

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.

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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Vitamin A

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.


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NPN | Download the Healthera App Today

When you download the Healthera App, you’re taking control of your health and helping to support your local community and the UK’s dedicated network of pharmacies.

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NPN | First Aid

When an accident happens, you have to work fast. Thousands of people in the UK die or are seriously injured in accidents and incidents, but these deaths could be prevented if first aid is given before emergency services arrive. In some case, the best thing you can do is call 111 or 999 and follow the instructions given to you by the professionals on the other end of the phone - but before a minor accident occurs within the home, you can do some things to prepare and ensure you have all of the tools you need to take care of yourself and your family.


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NPN | Consultation Rooms

When you have embarrassing bodies and health concerns that you’d rather not share with the world, the idea of visiting your community pharmacy for support is just as unappealing as the thought of fighting to get an appointment with your GP. Luckily, community pharmacies across the nation are aware of the issue, and have created safe spaces for you to speak confidently and confidentially with a trained medical professional.


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NPN | Childhood Vaccinations

After Covid-19, the world’s relationship with vaccines changed, and a recent study from GlaxoSmithKline revealed that the willingness to vaccinate children has been boosted, with 93% of parents saying they were happy for their children to be vaccinated. After the UK lost its measles-free status in 22019, making it easy for parents to access vaccines has been a priority for NHS England.


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NPN | Baby & Child Health at Your Local Pharmacy

With a pharmacy on every high street, the first port of call when your child is feeling poorly should be your community pharmacist, who will be perfectly trained to provide support for children with minor ailments and long-term conditions.


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NPN | Cold & Flu: Speak To Your Local Pharmacist First

Starting the new year with a sniffle and a sore throat is unpleasant, but it’s the reality for a lot of us as flu cases in hospitals have jumped up by almost a half in the past week, with NHS 111 answering a record number of calls.


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NPN | Try Going Dry This January With Your Local Pharmacy

With the holidays out of the way and 2023 putting down roots, the first month of the year is an exciting time to set new, healthier habits that will serve you well in the future. There’s something fresh and invigorating about January, and if you’re planning to take on the beginning of the year without alcohol, you can find a lot of support at your community pharmacy - after all, Dry January isn’t always easy.


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NPN | What to do when you're unwell over Christmas

The festive season is a time for sharing, caring, and family. It’s also a time for stress, financial worries, and stark work deadlines as everything wraps up for Christmas. Stress puts pressure on your immune system, which makes it easier for you to pick up something nasty as you go about your business. Becoming unwell at Christmas can feel especially unfair, whether it’s a stomach bug, the flu, or something more serious. It’s particularly difficult to know what to do about it - and if your local GP is closed, as many of them will be, you might be tempted to head to A&E. But before you do, there are a few stops you should make first.


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NPN | Drinking Less Over Christmas

The festive season is synonymous with a lot of things - cold noses, warming meals and twinkling lights. Parties, too, dominate the month of December, and before Dry January arrives, you might find yourself inundated with invitations to Christmas drinks, catch-ups and shindigs where your friends and loved ones can catch up before going your separate ways for the christmas break. These celebrations can be a little tricky to navigate if you’re trying to cut down on drinking, or cutting alcohol out entirely. If you’re planning to make 2022 your first sober christmas, here are a few tips to help you through it.

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NPN | How Pharmacies Are Helping With The Cost of Living Crisis

With inflation rates reaching heights last seen in the early eighties, the UK is up against a serious cost-of-living crisis, from energy to food prices, we’re all feeling the economic squeeze, and the pharmacies in the heart of our communities represent a life-line for those who can’t access their GP.


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NPN | How Community Pharmacy Can Help With Cancer Diagnosis

Recent figures show that the UK has dropped to the bottom of the list of countries in Europe when it comes to waiting times for cancer treatment - but an NHS pilot may help patients receive the vital treatment they need sooner with the help of community pharmacy teams.


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NPN | 100,000 Patients Per Month Seen by Pharmacists

Recent data from the NHS has revealed that more of us than ever are finding the help we need at our local pharmacy, taking some of the strain off the NHS and the GPs, where it can be difficult to get an appointment.


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NPN | Could Winter 2022 Bring a 'Twindemic'?

With the world still putting things back together again following the 2020 pandemic, there are concerns that we may be facing another tough winter for public health. With a ‘twindemic’ of Covid-19 and flu predicted over the next few months, the UK Health Security Agency has put out a warning.


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NPN | 7/10 of us are ignoring health conditions

We’ve all been there - we know something is wrong with our body, but it doesn’t seem too bad, so maybe it’ll just go away on its own? Ignoring the symptoms of something more serious can be a disaster - and there’s no need to suffer in silence when your community pharmacy team has been trained to identify most minor ailments and offer advice.


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NPN | Vaping Behind The Bike Sheds

According to a report by NHS Digital, the number of school children who say they are taking drugs and smoking has dropped over the last years - but the survey found that more children have habits related to e-cigaretttes and vaping.


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NPN | Flu Season 2022

September is here, and so is flu season. Flu immunisation is one of the most effective interventions in order to reduce the harm and spread of flu during the winter. For a number of years, only around half of patients aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups have been vaccinated - but with new rules for eligibility, more people will be able to receive vaccinations this year.


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NPN | Meet Your Mental Health Pharmacist

Your community pharmacy might not be the first place you think of when you’re looking for support with your mental health, but the role of your local pharmacist is wide-ranging.


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NPN | Are You Using Your Medicines Correctly?

A Medicine Use Review (MUR) is a service provided by your community pharmacy, available free of charge for patients who are suffering from long term conditions. The point of a Medicine Use Review is to identify and discuss any issues you may have with taking your medication as prescribed.


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NPN | Electronic Prescription Service

The need for paper prescriptions may be a thing of the past thanks to the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), now available within more primary and community care settings, including your local pharmacy.


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NPN | Insect Repellent

There’s so much to enjoy about summer - but there are a few little annoyances that spill through with the warmer months, and the more time you spend outside, the more likely you are to encounter the small winged beasts that can ruin your day with a carefully placed bite or sting. Your community pharmacy is stocked up with all sorts of remedies and management to keep itching - and the creatures that cause it - at bay this summer.


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NPN | Bug Bites

There’s so much to enjoy about summer - but there are a few little annoyances that spill through with the warmer months, and the more time you spend outside, the more likely you are to encounter the small winged beasts that can ruin your day with a carefully placed bite or sting. Your community pharmacy is stocked up with all sorts of remedies and management to keep itching - and the creatures that cause it - at bay this summer.


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NPN | What Happens at a Pharmacy Health Checkup?

If you’re over the age of 40 and under the age of 74, the NHS Health Check programme is designed to help you stay on top of your wellbeing. Some pharmacies will be able to offer you an NHS Health Check - so it’s worth popping into your local pharmacy to see if they can help - or giving them a call. Even if your local pharmacy isn’t providing the NHS Health Check, they may still be able to take your blood pressure.


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NPN | Hayfever

Runny nose? Itchy eyes? Headache? You could be suffering from hayfever - which is at its worst between March and September, especially when it’s warm and windy. Keep an eye out for high pollen count, and at a time that’s convenient for you, take a trip to your local pharmacy for advice and support.


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NPN | Footcare

Did you know that the average person will walk around 100,000 miles in their lifetime? Our feet take on a tough job, and many of us will come up against foot problems at some point in our life. Luckily, your local pharmacy has the tools to help you with footcare - it’s one of the fastest growing categories for pharmacy’s focus.


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NPN | Cholesterol

Cholesterol is important - it serves an important function for your body, helping to maintain your cell membranes and synthesising vitamins and hormones. But when you have too much of it, you’re at higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you’re over the age of twenty, you should have your cholesterol levels tested every five years - and your local pharmacy can help.


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NPN | Blood Pressure

“Cardiovascular disease is the second most common cause of premature death in England, after cancer, affecting seven million people. One in four premature deaths are caused by CVD, and 1.6 million disability adjusted life years can be attributed to it.”


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NPN | Alcohol Intake

If you have concerns about the amount of alcohol you’re consuming, your local pharmacy is here to help. Pharmacists are able to provide advice on getting the help you need to reduce your alcohol intake.


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NPN | Your Pharmacy Can Help - Digestive Health

Are you worried about your digestive health? Is the period after a meal always uncomfortable? Your local pharmacy can be a valuable resource to help you make up with your gut.

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NPN | Pharmacy Holds the Key to Correct Inhaler Use

Last year, 75% of respondents with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in England revealed that they did not receive their annual inhaler check. A task force made up of patients, carers and healthcare bodies including PSNC and the RPS has stressed that community pharmacies will need funding to provide an essential annual inhaler technique check service.


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NPN | Fit-to-Fly at your Local Pharmacy

As the days get increasingly longer and the summer months begin to draw in, you might have a holiday on your mind. Ensure you don’t get caught short by the fit-to-fly rules, and seek out a pharmacy near you offering tests and providing Fit to Fly certificates within 72 hours.


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NPN | Prescription Charges

According to The Department of Health and Social Care, prescription charges will be held at £9.35 an item as we move into the 2022/23 financial year, marking the first time in 12 years that costs have been frozen like this.


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NPN | Mental Health: Pharmacist Training in 2022

First announced in the ‘NHS People Plan’, plans to give pharmacists specialist mental health training are soon to be underway as a pilot programme begins at the University of Bradford in April.

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NPN | Stop Smoking: Hospital Referral Service Now Underway

The second of the two new Advanced services to be introduced to community pharmacies this year has officially commenced. This service aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from smoking, reducing health inequalities associated with higher rates of smoking, and ensuing that any patients referred to community pharmacy receive assistance that’s consistent and effective.


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NPN | Your Pharmacy Can Help: Sexual Health

Many pharmacy teams are already engaged with providing sexual health, reproductive health and HIV services across the UK - although there are still variations in service delivery, an increasing number of community pharmacies are capable of delivering high quality sexual and reproductive health services.


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NPN | Skin Conditions

Developing a problem with your skin can have a negative effect on your life, even if it’s harmless - especially when the skin condition is particularly visible, in areas like your face or hands. In some cases, you might be tempted to visit your GP - but your local pharmacy team are qualified healthcare professions who can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines to help with all sorts of skin problems.


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NPN | Allergies

For many, allergies are nothing more than a mild irritation, but for some, they can have an extremely significant impact on daily life.


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NPN | Men's Health

Getting men to talk about their health can be a challenge - and starting the conversation is something pharmacies are getting better at. Your local pharmacy staff are trained to conduct consultations with empathy, maintaining your dignity throughout and providing a discrete space to talk about common issues like erection problems and hair loss.


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NPN | Travel Health Clinic

It may only be February, but cold weather has a tendency to turn the imagination towards hotter climes, and dreams of getting away might be starting to creep into your day-to-day life. When the time comes to start planning this year’s holiday, don’t forget to factor in a visit to your local pharmacy to get some advice.


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NPN | Your Pharmacy Can Help: Women's Health

“Women are more likely to come and ask for advice or products. They are more open, confident and willing to ask for help and advice when it comes to minor ailments. The most common queries are about thrush, cystitis, insomnia, period pain, and weight loss.”

- Yasmeen Asfar


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NPN | Get A Vaccination At Your Local Pharmacy

Vaccinations have become a bit of a hot topic in the last few years, and whilst you’re most likely aware of the fact that you can get your COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters at one of your local pharmacies, you might not know that pharmacists across the UK are making other vaccines convenient and accessible.


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NPN | Your Pharmacy Can Help: Migraine

When a headache strikes, it can usually be treated with an over-the-counter pain reliever - but for those who suffer from migraines, a paracetamol just won’t cut it. Community pharmacists can offer treatment and advice for those in need of migraine prevention and management.


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NPN | Pharmacy Challenges - Costs

Pharmacies are capable of providing vital services that are able to take some of the pressure off the NHS, identifying and treating minor illnesses that would otherwise require the time of a GP and leave individuals with potentially more serious ailments in the waiting room. However, without an injection of more funding, this will soon be something they are unable to do.

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NPN | Why You Should Visit Your Pharmacy First

Pharmacists are experts in minor health concerns, offering clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for coughs, colds, sore throats and other aches and pains. At the core of every community, these health-care professionals are ready to step in when they’re needed, but not everybody takes advantage of the ease and expertise of their local pharmacy.

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