Antibiotics are a critical tool in combating infections, but their misuse can lead to significant health risks, such as antibiotic resistance. In the UK, antibiotics are not available over the counter, and obtaining them requires a prescription. This ensures that their use is carefully monitored by qualified healthcare professionals. However, pharmacists can provide advice and recommend alternatives for minor ailments.
Can pharmacists prescribe medicine?
Pharmacists in the UK are highly trained professionals who play a key role in healthcare. While they can provide over-the-counter medications for conditions such as coughs, colds, and minor skin issues, antibiotics require a prescription. Only pharmacists who are qualified as Pharmacist Independent Prescribers (PIPs) are authorised to prescribe antibiotics and other medications autonomously.
To become a PIP, pharmacists must:
- Have at least two years of patient-oriented experience in the UK.
- Complete a GPhC-accredited prescribing course.
- Meet updated professional standards.
- Provide an endorsement letter from a qualified medical practitioner confirming their competence.
Pharmacists can also supply certain medicines through Patient Group Directions (PGDs), allowing treatment for conditions such as urinary tract infections or toddler conjunctivitis without individual prescriptions.
During healthcare crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists have eased pressure on GPs by issuing prescriptions and offering frontline support. This adaptability highlights their importance in the healthcare system.
Do I need to see the doctor every time I need a prescription?
For antibiotics and other prescription-only medicines, you typically need a doctor’s authorisation. However, repeat prescriptions allow patients to refill long-term medications without frequent GP visits (see the guide on how to choose a gp).
Patients can request repeat prescriptions online or over the phone, but periodic GP check-ups may still be required to monitor their condition.
Whom do I turn to for general advice about my health and wellbeing?
For general health and well-being concerns, your GP remains the first point of contact. GPs, whether NHS or private, are equipped to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of conditions. However, pharmacists can provide advice for minor ailments and offer guidance on over-the-counter medications, often saving patients a GP visit.
If you have an urgent medical problem, get help from NHS 111 online or by phone. They will tell you where to:
- Get help based on your symptoms;
- Find reliable health information;
- Get your over-the-counter medicine.
Can a pharmacist diagnose?
Pharmacists have the qualifications to assess certain common health conditions and advise on the treatment. It might be coughs, colds and sore throats, tummy troubles, skin rashes, eye infections, hay fever, etc.
But with any condition, patients experience different levels of severity or have additional symptoms or a particular medical history. Even if a patient has something as simple as a cold, they may need different types of care. If they feel your condition requires the attention of a doctor, they will not diagnose you.
Can a pharmacist give injections?
A pharmacist can administer injections by various routes. They also know how to respond to negative reactions and side effects. However, not many pharmacies provide vaccination services.
Vaccination services, particularly for flu and COVID-19, have become a critical part of their role, with many pharmacies participating in government-approved programmes. This training ensures public access to essential vaccines.
In 2021, many High Street pharmacies like Boots and Superdrug entered government-approved programmes, accelerating vaccination rates. In addition to pharmacists who were already trained to give injections, hundreds more entered training.
What other services do pharmacists offer?
Pharmacies can offer extensive services for people with minor health concerns. For example, if your symptoms are signs of a serious health issue, a pharmacist will make sure you get the help you need. After all, they have five years of training, so you can rely on them for needs beyond buying medicines.
Help with your prescriptions
Pharmacists can answer your questions about your prescription medicines; some even answer questions over the phone. Whenever you think you want to change treatment, stop taking medicine, or have concerns about the effects, ask your pharmacist. They will help you figure out the next course of action.
Offer tobacco cessation aids
The role of pharmacists in improving the health of the population has been recognized in many papers. All of them can advise smokers, and some provide them with treatment. Tobacco cessation treatment can involve:
- Explaining health benefits of quitting
- Explaining the withdrawal syndrome
- Assessing nicotine dependence
- Discussing medication and arranging a suppl
Consult on travel health
A pharmacist can provide travel consultations, explain the potential risks a traveller may face, and clarify how to mitigate them. This service has become more important than ever in the last two years.
Many UK pharmacists have already received comprehensive e-learning training on travel vaccination service, risk assessment, vaccine-preventable travel diseases, record keeping, and a wide range of other scenarios.
Give tips on healthy lifestyle
Lifestyle counselling isn’t a common practice, but all you need is to ask for it. Pharmacists are well-placed and sufficiently trained to educate on wellness, disease prevention, and lifestyle change. They also have easy access and daily interactions with patients in general (displays, materials) and personal encounters (prescription services, medicine management).
Offer oral emergency contraceptives
Anyone over the age of 16 can buy an emergency contraceptive pill from most pharmacies. But to be safe, tell your pharmacist if you are taking any medicines, and they can suggest an emergency contraception pill or advise you to seek other options (like an intrauterine device).
Why Are Antibiotics Restricted in the UK?
The UK has strict regulations on antibiotics to prevent misuse, which can lead to antibiotic resistance – a serious global health threat. Pharmacists and GPs work together to ensure antibiotics are prescribed only when absolutely necessary.
Other services that can help you find the right treatment
You can reduce the chance of complications related to your medicines by communicating with your pharmacist and GP. The care you receive from an NHS GP is usually very good. However, when the treatment is time-sensitive, you may want to look for faster routes, including private medicine.
Choosing medical coverage is a very personal choice, often a very complicated one. Direct your questions about benefits and discounts, prescription coverage, and more to a private health insurance broker. Getting the right treatments starts with choosing the right doctor, so don’t take this decision lightly.
Summary
Antibiotics are not available over the counter in the UK due to the risks associated with unsupervised use, such as resistance and adverse reactions. To obtain antibiotics, consult a doctor or seek advice from a pharmacist qualified to assess your condition. Pharmacists also offer a wide array of additional services, making them an essential part of healthcare in the UK.