Medication

Latest News

NPN | More Services Than Ever

The National Pharmacy Network is growing - and we’re thrilled to share the latest updates! What began as the UK’s first digital directory dedicated to pharmacies is now bigger, broader, and even more useful for patients and healthcare professionals alike.

From Pharmacy First consultations to private services like vaccinations, weight loss support, and ear health clinics, the NPN is your go-to place to find trusted healthcare services in your local area.


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NPN | Pharmacy First | UTIs

As transformative changes create waves through UK healthcare, the Pharmacy First initiative is redefining primary care. An integral component of the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, this program elevates community pharmacies to a key role in managing minor health conditions. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are common and can be highly uncomfortable, can significantly disrupt daily activities and overall well-being, but through Pharmacy First, effective and immediate expert care is available right at your local community pharmacy.


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NPN | Pharmacy First | Sinusitis

As transformative changes sweep through the UK’s healthcare system, the Pharmacy First initiative is redefining primary care. An integral part of the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, this program elevates community pharmacies to a key role in managing minor health conditions. Sinusitis, a common and often debilitating inflammation of the sinuses, is a primary focus. This condition can significantly disrupt daily activities and overall wellbeing, but through Pharmacy First, effective and immediate expert care is available at your local pharmacy.


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NPN | Pharmacy First | Shingles

In the midst of transformative changes in healthcare, the Pharmacy First initiative is reshaping primary care in the UK. As an integral part of the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, this initiative places community pharmacies at the forefront of managing minor health conditions. Shingles, a painful viral infection known for its rash, is particularly notable. It’s a condition that can severely affect quality of life, particularly for the elderly. Through Pharmacy First, however, it’s possible to access immediate expert care at your community pharmacy.


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NPN | Pharmacy First | Impetigo

Amidst a healthcare revolution, the Pharmacy First initiative is changing the nation’s approach to healthcare. This innovative program, an extension of the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, was created to elevate community pharmacies to a new position in the management of minor health issues. Among these, impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection, standing out as a condition that can cause significant discomfort and lead to more serious complications if not treated promptly. Pharmacy First provides an effective and timely solution, ensuring that residents of the UK have access to prompt care.


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NPN | Pharmacy First | Infected Insect Bites

In the middle of a healthcare revolution, Pharmacy First is transforming the way we approach and manage primary healthcare. This forward-thinking initiative, building upon the foundation of the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, has positioned community pharmacies as central to the management of minor health concerns. Among these, insect bites can often lead to discomfort and, in some cases, more serious health complications. Pharmacy First offers a timely and efficient solution to address these concerns, ensuring that UK residents can receive prompt and professional care.


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NPN | Pharmacy First | Ear Ache

Embarking on a healthcare revolution, Pharmacy First is rewriting the rules of primary healthcare across the UK. This trailblazing service, building upon the foundation laid by the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, lifts community pharmacies to new heights in the management of minor illnesses and urgent medication needs. It's a game-changer, especially for those grappling with the discomfort of earache—a condition that spares no age but often hits the youngest among us the hardest.


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NPN | Pharmacy First | Sore Throat

Pharmacy First is revolutionising the nation’s approach to staying healthy. This innovative service builds on the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, and highlights the crucial role of community pharmacies in addressing minor health issues. Sore Throats are one of the more common complaints that people need help with - it affects all ages, and although it’s a common ailment, it can sometimes indicate more serious health concerns.


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NPN | Pharmacy First

Get ready for a healthcare revolution with the launch of Pharmacy First, a groundbreaking service set to transform the way we approach primary healthcare in the UK. This initiative builds on the success of the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service introduced in 2019, and it’s all about putting community pharmacies at the heart of managing healthcare, especially for minor illnesses and urgent medication needs.


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NPN | Winter Getaways

As the winter season approaches, many of us start daydreaming about escaping to warmer destinations for a well-deserved holiday. Whether your fantasy includes basking in the sun on golden sands or hitting the slopes of a snowy wonderland, planning a winter getaway is always exciting. But before you pack your bags and head off for your dream destination, take the time to make sure you’re protected against potential health risks. That’s where travel vaccinations, or travel jabs, come into play.


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NPN | Ear Check-ups at Your Local Pharmacy

When it comes to healthcare, early intervention is often the key to preventing bigger issues down the road. Our ears, often overlooked in our routine check-ups, play a crucial role in our daily lives. They influence our balance, guard our healing, and affect our overall well-being - so ensuring their health is important. Where can you turn to for a quick, convenient ear assessment? Your local pharmacy is a great starting point, and here’s why:


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NPN | Add Your Local Pharmacy to your Travel Check-List

Planning your holiday takes a lot of preparation. You’ve booked the flights and accommodation, you’re planning what to pack - but amidst the excitement, it’s easy to overlook a crucial aspect of your travel planning: a visit to your local pharmacy! Although it may not be the first thing on your mind, a trip to the pharmacy down the road can provide you with countless services and products that will make your trip more comfortable and stress-free. Here are a few of the reason why you should make a stop at your local pharmacy before you go on holiday.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Zinc

If you're the type of person who only visits the local pharmacy when you're feeling unwell, you might be missing out on a valuable resource to keep you fit and healthy throughout the year. Behind the counter, your community pharmacy team holds a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can help you get the most out of your daily routine. Along with their fully stocked shelves of supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you’re getting enough of what you need for your body to thrive, including an essential mineral called zinc.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Selenium

If you’re the type of person who only visits the local pharmacy when you’re feeling unwell, you might be missing out on a valuable resource to keep you fit and healthy throughout the year. Behind the counter, your community pharmacy team holds a wealth of knowledge and expertise so that you can get the most out of your daily routine. Along with their fully stocked shelves of supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you’re getting enough of what you need for your body to thrive, including an essential mineral called selenium.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Potassium

If you're the type of person who only visits the local pharmacy when you're feeling unwell, you might be missing out on a valuable resource to keep you fit and healthy throughout the year. Behind the counter, your community pharmacy team holds a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can help you get the most out of your daily routine. Along with their fully stocked shelves of supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you’re getting enough of what you need for your body to thrive, including an essential mineral called potassium.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Omega-3

If you’re the sort of person who only visits your local pharmacy when you’re feeling unwell, you may be missing out on a wealth of knowledge and resources that can keep you fit and healthy all year round. From a fully stocked shelf of supplements to the expertise of your community pharmacy team, a quick chat with your pharmacist can ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive, including the essential nutrient Omega-3.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Magnesium

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.

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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Vitamin K

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Iron

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.

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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Iodine

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.


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NPN | The A-Z of Vitamins: Vitamin D

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t pop in to your local pharmacy until you’re feeling under the weather, you might not know that your community pharmacy team has the know-how to keep you fit and healthy all year round. With a fully stocked shelf of vitamin supplements, a quick chat with your local pharmacist will ensure you have enough of what you need for your body to thrive.


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NPN | First Aid

When an accident happens, you have to work fast. Thousands of people in the UK die or are seriously injured in accidents and incidents, but these deaths could be prevented if first aid is given before emergency services arrive. In some case, the best thing you can do is call 111 or 999 and follow the instructions given to you by the professionals on the other end of the phone - but before a minor accident occurs within the home, you can do some things to prepare and ensure you have all of the tools you need to take care of yourself and your family.


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NPN | Consultation Rooms

When you have embarrassing bodies and health concerns that you’d rather not share with the world, the idea of visiting your community pharmacy for support is just as unappealing as the thought of fighting to get an appointment with your GP. Luckily, community pharmacies across the nation are aware of the issue, and have created safe spaces for you to speak confidently and confidentially with a trained medical professional.


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NPN | Baby & Child Health at Your Local Pharmacy

With a pharmacy on every high street, the first port of call when your child is feeling poorly should be your community pharmacist, who will be perfectly trained to provide support for children with minor ailments and long-term conditions.


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NPN | How Pharmacies Are Helping With The Cost of Living Crisis

With inflation rates reaching heights last seen in the early eighties, the UK is up against a serious cost-of-living crisis, from energy to food prices, we’re all feeling the economic squeeze, and the pharmacies in the heart of our communities represent a life-line for those who can’t access their GP.


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NPN | How Community Pharmacy Can Help With Cancer Diagnosis

Recent figures show that the UK has dropped to the bottom of the list of countries in Europe when it comes to waiting times for cancer treatment - but an NHS pilot may help patients receive the vital treatment they need sooner with the help of community pharmacy teams.


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NPN | Could Winter 2022 Bring a 'Twindemic'?

With the world still putting things back together again following the 2020 pandemic, there are concerns that we may be facing another tough winter for public health. With a ‘twindemic’ of Covid-19 and flu predicted over the next few months, the UK Health Security Agency has put out a warning.


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NPN | 7/10 of us are ignoring health conditions

We’ve all been there - we know something is wrong with our body, but it doesn’t seem too bad, so maybe it’ll just go away on its own? Ignoring the symptoms of something more serious can be a disaster - and there’s no need to suffer in silence when your community pharmacy team has been trained to identify most minor ailments and offer advice.


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NPN | Are You Using Your Medicines Correctly?

A Medicine Use Review (MUR) is a service provided by your community pharmacy, available free of charge for patients who are suffering from long term conditions. The point of a Medicine Use Review is to identify and discuss any issues you may have with taking your medication as prescribed.


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