We know you are already confident in self caring initially and keen to try again what you have done in the past (especially if it has worked). We know you don’t want to waste GPs time and of course self care means earlier treatment because you are not waiting for the doctor to do something. We also know that patients are willing to pay for over-the-counter remedies particularly if they are cheaper than the cost of a prescription (currently £9.35 per item) and if you know that your GPs are encouraging you to go to the pharmacist for self care.
Click here to learn more about what help there is available for prescription costs.
But we also know that you are used to a certain way of doing things and maybe you have not thought about going to the pharmacist or you have had a bad experience in the past or you are worried that there may be a more serious underlying problem than a minor ailment which really does need you to make an emergency appointment to see the doctor. Perhaps you think that the GP will give you a better medicine than what you can get from the pharmacist over the counter.or simply don’t want to pay more than the prescription fee.
To make things easier for you, we have compiled a list of some common treatments that pharmacists can provide for common ailments and some typical prices for you to see. This is not an exhaustive list and no doubt if you shop around you may get a better deal. But may be given al the above information, next time you or your family or friends develop a minor ailment, you might wish to consider consulting with a pharmacist who can help you better self care!
| Paracetamol Tablets 32s | £0.50 |
| Nurofen 200mg tablets 24+ | £1.75 |
| Calpol 120mg/5mlx 100ml | £3.50 |
| Ibuprofen 100mg/5ml x 150mls | £3.50 |
| Nurofen 100mg/5ml susp x 100 | £3.99 |
| Back Pain | Ibuprofen Tablets, Gel or Spray, Voltarol Gel, Paracetamol or Co-codamol, Heat pads etc | £4.50 |
| Dermatitis | Hydrocortisone Cream, Emollients and Antihistamines | £2.99 |
| Heartburn and Indigestion | Gaviscon, Zantac, Zanprol | £4.50 |
| Nasal congestion | Otrivine, Sudafed , Antihistamines | £3.00 |
| Constipation | Lactulose, Senokot, Fybogel, Bisacodyl, Dioctyl | £4.00 |
| Migraine | Migraleave, Imigran Recovery, Midrid Plus painkillers | £5.00 |
| Cough | Benylin , Venos, Pholcodeine, Codeine Linctus, Simple Linctus | £3.50 |
| Acne | Panxyl, Brevoxyl | £4.50 |
| Sprains and Strains | Deep Heat, Movelat | £3.50 |
| Headache | Ibuprofen, Paracetamol Co-codamol | £1.25 |
The prices and range of treatments varies dramatically eg for indigestion : Gaviscon Peppermint 16s £2.27 to Zanprol (omeprazole 10mg) acid related – £9.58. With thanks to Hyde Pharmacy for providing the above information. Prices correct at time of publication (19.11.2014)