Pharmacists dispense your prescriptions and other medicines, offer testing and screening for common medical conditions and can advise if you have a minor illness.

Pharmacists and chemists also offer advice on sexual health, how to stop smoking and common problems such as:

• coughs, colds and flu
• bugs and viruses
• minor injuries
• tummy troubles
• women’s health
• skin conditions
• allergies
• aches and pains
• children’s problems

They can also help you decide whether you need to see a doctor or nurse. You can talk to your pharmacist in confidence, even about the most personal symptoms and you don’t need to make an appointment. Most pharmacies now have a private consultation area where patients can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard by other members of the public.