Get advice from your pharmacist at the first sign of feeling ill – don’t wait for it to get more serious.

Highly trained pharmacists can help with a number of common health conditions such as sore throats, colds and bites. 

The majority of pharmacists in Kent and Medway are also part of the Pharmacy First scheme, where they can issue a prescription, if necessary, for seven specific conditions, including urinary tract infections for woman aged 16-64.  

Other services include emergency contraception and an emergency supply of prescription medicine.

Pharmacy opening times

Find your nearest pharmacy and check the opening times. 

Details are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change.

Please contact the pharmacy before visiting to make sure they are open and have the medication you require.

Only order what you need

It is estimated that more than 2million repeat prescription items are wasted in Kent and Medway each year. 

Stockpiling medicine, asking for more than you need on a prescription, or routinely picking up repeat prescriptions without checking, costs the NHS money and deprives others from using those medicines.

Some medication may also have reached the use by date and might not work as intended, meaning your care could be compromised.

Stockpiles of medicines kept at home can also be dangerous for children and pets.

You can help reduce medicines waste by following these simple steps:

  • check what medications you already have at home.
  • only order the items you need (you will still be able to order the other items when you need them)
  • check the medicines bag before you leave the pharmacy (you can hand back any items you don’t need, and they can be reused)
  • talk to your pharmacist or GP if you feel a medication isn’t working for you
  • speak to your pharmacy team if you have any questions about how to change your prescription request.

If you’re going into hospital:

  • take your medication with you
  • take a list of all the medications you take (including prescription items and medications that you buy)
  • check the medicines bag before you leave the hospital (you can hand back any items you don’t need, and they can be reused)

If you have any unused or out of date medicine, please take it to your pharmacy so they can dispose of it safely.

Additional pharmacy services

A number of community pharmacies across England offer a free NHS blood pressure check for patients meeting the below criteria.

Those without a current diagnosis of hypertension (high blood pressure) and are:

  • aged 40 or over
  • aged under 40 with a recognised family history of hypertension (high blood pressure) at the pharmacist’s discretion
  • aged 35 to 39 at the pharmacist’s discretion.

Those with a current diagnosis of hypertension (high blood pressure) and:

  • a GP has asked the pharmacy to check the patient’s blood pressure and send them the results.

Check your nearest participating pharmacy by selecting your area on our interactive map. We advise checking the opening times before visiting. You should not need an appointment. 

NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service

NHS pharmacies are an accessible and convenient place for people to receive advice and support for contraception management.

A number of pharmacies in Kent and Medway are now providing free of charge contraception services on behalf of the NHS which include:

  1. Ongoing monitoring and supply of oral contraception prescriptions for those already prescribed these medicines by their GP or sexual health clinic.
  2. Starting of oral contraception for those who are currently not prescribed these medicines.

The aim of the Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS) is to offer greater choice from where people can access contraception services and free-up space in GP practices and sexual health clinics (or equivalent) to support them in meeting the demand for more complex assessments.

A person may self-refer or be referred by their general practice or sexual health clinic (or equivalent) to a participating pharmacy. The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation and as part of that, will reach a shared decision with the person on the ongoing supply of their current oral contraception, ensuring clinical appropriateness.

Find a participating pharmacy:

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A person is standing outside a pharmacy holding the side of their face in discomfort. The sign above the pharmacy reads 'This earache is getting worse pharmacy' A lower third box features in the bottom on the image. Text in the box reads: 'Think pharmac

Think Pharmacy First

Your pharmacist can now provide some prescription medicine without seeing a GP.

Find information about how pharmacies can help on the NHS website.