PHARMACY AND PRODUCTS
A pharmacy or chemist is a dispensary where prescription drugs are made to order. In the UK there are bricks & mortar pharmacies in almost every town and large village across the UK, and on-line pharmacies on the Internet authorised to dispense NHS and private prescriptions.
All pharmacies stock a wide range of common prescription drugs behind the counter, such as antibiotics and asthma inhalers, and will dispense them in accordance with the doctor's instructions on your prescription while you wait. For less common drugs the pharmacy may need to order products from their suppliers or a manufacturer to fulfil your prescription. This might take anywhere from one day to a week. If using an on-line pharmacy they will request that you send them your prescription, often by freepost.
In general, pharmacies charge a set fee to make up a prescription. There are several exemption categories though which you may be eligible for, in which case you do not have to pay for your prescription. For NHS prescriptions the most common exemption that people claim under is the NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate. This is a credit card sized plastic certificate which might be awarded to you if you claim family tax credit from the government.
Pharmacies also stock a wide range of over the counter medicines and associated medical and health products, as well as everyday personal care items like toothbrushes and deodorants.
For more information on pharmacies and their products please use the resources on our site.