There are many conditions and injuries that don't require a GP appointment. These conditions and injuries can be treated at home by yourself. If you need further information or treatment, you can see your local pharmacist for free advice.

Are you aware that there is an NHS Wales scheme which provides over-the-counter and prescription medicines free of charge for a specific range of common ailments? Most minor illnesses and common ailments, such as coughs, colds, earaches, conjunctivitis etc can be treated effectively by a trained pharmacist.

Many of the minor conditions you don’t need to see a doctor for, but don’t want to pay for, can now be dealt with by your local pharmacy at no cost to you. Simply phone your local pharmacist, who will be able to advise and dispense the most appropriate medication for your ailment. 

No cost to the patient!

Highly trained pharmacists have been empowered to provide services that are saving patients time and money, as well as taking pressure off general practice. Pharmacies can now prescribe medication for certain conditions without the need for a GP appointment. These include:

• acne vulgaris
• allergic rhinitis
• athlete’s foot
• lower back pain without radiculopathy (acute)
• chickenpox (in children under 14 years of age)
• cold sores
• conjunctivitis (bacterial)
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• dry eye disease
• dry skin (includes contact dermatitis and atopic eczema)
• dyspepsia
• haemorrhoids
• head lice
• infantile colic
• ingrowing toenail
• mouth ulcers (simple aphthous)
• nappy rash
• oral candidiasis
• ringworm (tinea corporis), tinea cruris and intertrigo
• scabies
• sore throat
• teething
• threadworms
• Urinary tract infection in women and transgender males who have not undergone sex reassignment surgery (lower, non-complicated, 16 – 64 years; not pregnant or catheterised)
• vulvovaginal candidiasis
• warts and verrucae

The Common Ailments Scheme is unable to prescribe antibiotics without a prescription approved by a GP.  If you require antibiotics eg. urine/skin infection you will be redirected to your GP surgery.