Ask the Doc: ‘Can my pharmacy help me?’
Q. I keep hearing that my pharmacy can help me when my GP is shut. What sort of things can they help with?
A. Community pharmacists can provide a number of very useful services that may prevent the need for a GP visit.
Your pharmacist can ask you about your symptoms, give you advice on your condition, provide medication (if you need it), refer you to another healthcare professional (for example your GP) if they think this is necessary, and set up a patient medication record (PMR) to make a note of any advice and treatment they give you
You can also ask to use the pharmacy’s consultation area or room if you want to speak to the pharmacist in private.
With Covid-19, there may be restrictions in place, so visiting Scotland’s Service Directory first may provide advice on local opening hours at www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory.
Q. I’ve been considering getting a decongestant. Do they work?
A. Decongestants are a type of medicine that can provide short-term relief for a blocked or stuffy nose.
They work by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels in your nose, which helps open up the airways.
Decongestants are available as nasal sprays, tablets or capsules, liquids or syrups, and as flavoured powders that dissolve in hot water.
Some products may just contain decongestant medication, but many are sold as “all-in-one” remedies that contain decongestants, painkillers and/or antihistamines.
Most decongestants can be bought over the counter from pharmacies without a prescription.
But there are some restrictions on who can take decongestants, so you should make sure you speak with your pharmacist about whether it is appropriate for you.
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