Most people’s idea of a trip to the pharmacy is grabbing a prescription or purchasing over-the-counter painkillers.But local pharmacies have come a long way in the past few years,becoming full-fledged healthcare centers that assist patients beyond the pharmacy checkout.
One of the most important ways that your pharmacy helps you is through NHS health checks and day-to-day care services. Indeed, for many, their local pharmacy is their most convenient and most regularly visited healthcare professional.
In this blog, we’ll unravel how your pharmacy helps the NHS, what is available to you, and why you should be using everything that’s open to you.
What Are NHS Health Checks in Pharmacy Services?
NHS pharmacy services are health services you can receive directly at your local pharmacy—without having to make an appointment to see a GP. They are paid for by the NHS to make it easier to get access to care and take the pressure off doctors and hospitals.
They are designed to be:
• Convenient
• Free or low-cost
• Easily accessible
Local pharmacies are now equipped to provide an impressive range of clinical services, offering quick help for minor health issues, long-term condition support, and preventive care like NHS health checks.
What Is an NHS Health Check?
An NHS Health Checks is a free check-up offered every five years to adults in England aged 40 to 74 who don’t already have a pre-existing condition. Its purpose is to spot early signs of:
• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Stroke
The check typically includes:
• Blood pressure check
• Cholesterol test
• BMI calculation (Body Mass Index)
• Lifestyle questions (smoking, alcohol, activity levels)
• Risk assessment for cardiovascular disease
Why It Matters:
These conditions may have no symptoms during the initial stages.The NHS Health Check enables early diagnosis and prevention,so patients can act before the condition becomes serious.
Your local pharmacy can provide these checks in a local,convenient environment—without having to wait for a GP appointment.
How Pharmacies Support NHS Everyday Care
Pharmacies are now an integral part of the NHS environment,serving as a front line for everyday health care.These are the principal ways that your local pharmacy assists you in keeping yourself healthy on a daily basis:
Medicines Use Reviews (MURs)
A free NHS service in which the pharmacist checks over your medicines to ensure you’re taking them properly and benefiting from them to the full.
This is particularly beneficial if you:
• Take many medicines
• Have a chronic condition such as asthma, diabetes, or hypertension
• Are worried about side effects or interactions
Example:
If you’re taking a tablet for high blood pressure and a cholesterol drug, a pharmacist can help you use them at the correct times, with the correct foods, and avoid combinations that decrease effectiveness.
New Medicine Service (NMS)
Have you been recently prescribed a new medication for a long-term condition?
The New Medicine Service allows pharmacists to check in with you after starting a new medicine to:
• Address any side effects
• Ensure you’re taking it correctly
• Help you stick with your treatment
This service is available for conditions like:
• Asthma
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Blood-thinning therapies
Your local pharmacy will follow up with you by phone or in-person to make sure your new medication is working well for you.
Minor Ailments Service
Why wait for a GP when your pharmacist can help?
Pharmacies are now the first stop for minor health issues, offering advice and treatment without the need for a doctor’s visit.
They can help with:
• Coughs and colds
• Sore throats
• Earache
• High fever
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Skin rashes
• Mouth ulcers
Many of these services are available under the NHS minor ailments scheme, which may also include free medication for eligible patients.
Vaccination Services
Your local pharmacy offers NHS-funded vaccines such as:
And beyond the NHS-funded vaccines, many pharmacies offer private travel vaccinations, helping you stay protected when travelling abroad (more on this later).
Blood Pressure Checks
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a silent killer. Often, people have no symptoms, yet they are at risk for heart attacks or strokes.As part of the NHS Blood Pressure Check service, you can get your blood pressure tested quickly and easily at your local pharmacy. If needed, you’ll be referred to your GP or supported with lifestyle advice.
It’s a small step that can save your life.
Weight Management Support
Obesity is a growing public health issue, and local pharmacies are stepping up to help.
Some pharmacies now offer NHS-funded weight loss programs, where patients can get:
• BMI and waist measurements
• Nutrition and exercise guidance
• Access to structured weight management support or referrals
Pharmacists are trained in non-judgmental, supportive care to help patients manage their weight in a sustainable and healthy way.
Smoking Cessation Support
If you’re trying to quit smoking, your local pharmacy is one of the best places to start.
Pharmacists offer:
• Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
• One-on-one support
• Practical quitting strategies
• Access to NHS Quit Smoking programs
Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and pharmacies make it easier, faster, and more supported.
Your local pharmacy is so much more than a place to collect medicine. It’s a healthcare destination, ready to support your everyday wellbeing.
From NHS Health Checks and flu jabs to help with quitting smoking or managing weight, pharmacies are transforming the way we care for ourselves—and they’re doing it close to home, without the wait.
