What to expect from your pharmacy consultation

Who conducts a pharmacy consultation?

A pharmacy consultation is typically conducted by a qualified pharmacist, who has completed a four-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree. This is followed by a one-year foundation training placement and a final registration assessment to be eligible to practice.

Debbie Grayson, Pharmacist and Nutritional Therapist, Practice With Confidence, Greater Manchester, UK says that, in some instances, a consultation may be carried out by a registered pharmacy technician.

"These are health professionals who have undergone extensive training and are registered with the GPhC," she explains. "Examples of services they are authorised to provide include stopping smoking services."

Grayson adds that, beyond their in-depth knowledge of medicines and pharmacology, pharmacists are also trained to carry out general health assessments.

"A pharmacist can use these readings, along with extensive questioning to determine whether you need a referral to your doctor, or emergency services," says Grayson.

"They can also assess whether your condition is something that can be managed with other measures - including over-the-counter medicine, or specific prescription medicine offered under the Pharmacy First scheme."

She adds that all consultations are conducted in accordance with the standards of pharmacy practice established by GPhC legislation.

What happens during a pharmacy consultation?

Most pharmacy consultations last around 5-10 minutes. They may be longer, depending on the nature of your medical issue. They usually take place in a purpose-built consultation room to safeguard your privacy.

Grayson says that these rooms, though typically modest in size, provide comfortable seating for around 2-3 chairs, a desk, a computer, and often a sink for handwashing.

What can a pharmacist check during a consultation?

Pharmacists are qualified to assess certain issues relating to your medicines.

According to Grayson, these include:

• Side effects - identifying any unwanted or unexpected reactions to your medicine, and advising on how to manage them.

• Dosage - ensuring you are taking the correct amount for safe and effective treatment.

• Suitability - checking whether the medicine is right for you, considering your health condition and medical history.

• Interactions - reviewing whether the medicine could interact with other medicines, supplements, or certain foods, which might affect how it works.

"Pharmacists are also able to advise on general health and wellbeing measures," Grayson says. "These include healthy eating, stopping smoking, and alcohol use."

She adds that following the launch of the Pharmacy First scheme, pharmacists can also advise on the management of a number of conditions and provide antibiotics where needed.

"Pharmacists are trained to diagnose minor ailments and recognise when symptoms may be the sign of a more serious condition," says Grayson. "These more serious conditions are diagnosed by your doctor once you have been signposted to them by your pharmacist."

What happens after a pharmacy consultation?

If the medicine you need is available, your pharmacist will provide it either free of charge through pharmacy services, or you can purchase it over the counter.

Grayson explains that your pharmacist will take notes during the consultation, and these notes are typically shared with your doctor to help with your ongoing care. If a referral to another specialist is needed, your pharmacist can assist with this according to local and national policies.

"In addition to managing minor ailments, pharmacies are well placed to provide advice on how to better manage health on a day to day basis," she says.

"Though treatment is not always needed, your pharmacist can provide you with some simple advice to help alongside, giving more detailed advice on how to proceed if the issue persists."