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Accessing contraception has traditionally required booking a GP appointment, waiting for availability, and then collecting a prescription. There are some fantastic GP and nurse-led teams around the country I have had the pleasure of working with, ensuring girls and women have access to contraception whenever they decide to use it, if at all.
Most insect bites are harmless and clear up within a few days, but sometimes they can become infected or cause a serious allergic response. If left untreated, an infected bite can get worse and, in rare cases, lead to a serious skin infection. The majority of insect bites occur in the summer months, but working for 8+ years in a retail setting, people come in to see us all year round! Sometimes, bites from some insects can also cause illnesses, such as Lyme disease from ticks, scabies from mites, and malaria from mosquitoes in certain parts of the world.
Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox, reactivates in the body. This results in a painful, blistering rash that typically appears on one side of the body. In most cases, shingles resolves within a few weeks, but antiviral medications can help speed up recovery and reduce complications. Early treatment is absolutely essential to manage pain and lower the risk of long-term nerve damage, known as postherpetic neuralgia. The good thing is you don't need to wait for a GP appointment to be treated for free*.
Sore throats occur when the throat becomes inflamed, often as a result of viral infections like the common cold or flu. Other triggers may include bacterial infections, allergies, dry air, or irritation caused by smoking. In most cases, a sore throat resolves on its own within a week without medical treatment. To soothe discomfort, over-the-counter remedies such as lozenges, sprays, or rinses can be helpful. However, in certain instances, bacterial infections may require antibiotics for proper treatment.
Sinusitis happens when your sinuses get inflamed, usually due to a cold, allergies, or sometimes a bacterial infection. Most cases clear up in about two to four weeks without any treatment, but if you’re feeling worse or not improving after 10 days, you may need treatment with medicines such as steroid nasal sprays and antibiotics.
Let’s be honest: going to the pharmacy can feel like a chore. Waiting in line, dealing with delays, and sometimes leaving without even getting the help you came for. It’s frustrating, and it shouldn’t be this way. The truth is, pharmacies today are stuck in a system that doesn’t always work for you, the patient. But change is possible—and it starts with understanding where things go wrong and how we can make them better for you.
Hey everyone, I’m the pharmacist behind Quick Pharmacist. I started this service because, like so many of us, I know what it’s like to be stuck at work from 9 to 5:30, unable to slip away for a doctor’s visit. We’re all juggling packed schedules, and sometimes the healthcare system just isn’t set up to meet us halfway.
