We all know that pharmacists dispense medicines. But they do a lot more than that. Local pharmacies offer several health services that many of us aren't aware of.

These services could save you a trip to your GP, or help you to make healthy lifestyle changes.

In England, most of us are within a 20-minute car ride away from a community pharmacy. That means we have quick and easy access to a pharmacist who's an expert in medicines, and must be registered with The Royal Pharmaceutical Society for Great Britain before they can practise.

"You don't need an appointment; you can just pop in," says pharmacist Bobby Mehta, who sits on the Slough branch committee of The Royal Pharmaceutical Society. "Any pharmacist is always happy to have a quick chat."

Don't miss out on this valuable service on your high street. Find local pharmacies, and information on opening times and services offered, by using our Service search.

Your medicines

Pharmacists are trained experts in the use of medicines. They can give advice on the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends, which is useful if you develop a cough or cold at 9pm, and the local shops are all shut.

Repeat dispensing

If you're regularly prescribed medicines, your pharmacist can offer repeat dispensing services.

You get a prescription from your GP for up to a year, then you can visit your pharmacy every month for a month's supply of your medication. No more trips to the GP just to get another prescription. Ask your GP about the service.

Reviewing your medicines

If you regularly collect medicines from your pharmacy, the pharmacist may ask you how you've been getting on with the medicine. If you're having problems, they can offer advice or advise you to see your GP if necessary.

Many pharmacies now offer a special discussion of your medicines. This is called the Medicines Use Review.

"The MUR is a detailed chat with your pharmacist about the medicines you take," says Mehta. "You can talk about what you're taking, when you should be taking it, and any side effects you might be concerned about. It's especially useful for people who take a number of medicines."

You can ask for an MUR, or your pharmacist might recommend one. They take place in a private consultation room in the pharmacy, and you don't have to pay. Afterwards, you'll receive a written record of the consultation. A copy of it will be sent to your GP.

You can learn more by reading the Department of Health leaflet Medicines Use Review (PDF, 365kb).

Collecting old medicines

If your medicine is out of date, unwanted, or some of it is left over, take it to your pharmacy to be disposed of safely.

Never throw away medicine yourself, burn it or flush it down the toilet, as this can harm the environment.

When you need to be seen

Pharmacies can help with a range of common conditions, such as aches and pains, uncomplicated cystitis, cold and flu. 

If you have one of these common conditions, your pharmacist can give advice and medicines, if appropriate. These medicines won't be on prescription, so you'll have to pay for them. Your pharmacist can also tell you if you need to see a GP. You can learn more in Treating common conditions.

Here are a few other ways some local pharmacies can help:

• Emergency contraception: if you need the 'morning-after pill'. This can work for up to 72 hours after sex, but the sooner you take it the more likely it will work. Many pharmacies sell this over the counter after a consultation with the pharmacist. Some may provide it on the NHS.
• Needle and syringe exchange services.
• Pregnancy tests. Most pharmacies provide pregnancy test kits, and a few have a private area where you can use the kit.

These kinds of health matters lead to to 57 million GP consultations a year. We could save ourselves time if we went to the pharmacy instead. No appointment is needed.

Minor ailment services

All pharmacies can offer advice on the common health problems mentioned above. Some pharmacies also run minor ailment services that deal with specific common health problems.

Again, that means you can go to your local pharmacy without an appointment, and perhaps save yourself a trip to the GP.

"Pharmacies run schemes that deal with specific ailments, such as aches and pains, skin conditions and stomach upsets. If your pharmacy runs such a scheme, the pharmacist will be able to assess your needs, give you advice, suggest medicines if appropriate, and refer you to a GP if necessary," says Mehta.

When pharmacies provide medicines as part of the minor ailment service, you get the medicines on the NHS. If you normally pay a prescription charge, this charge will apply here.

If you're exempt from prescription charges - for example if you're over 60 - you'll get the medicine without payment.

Not all pharmacies run a minor ailment scheme, but you can find one that does by using the Service search.

Improving health and wellbeing

Pharmacies can also help you to improve your long-term health and wellbeing.

All pharmacies offer healthy lifestyle advice that covers topics such as diet and nutrition, physical activity, losing weight and stopping smoking. They can also discuss management of long-term conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

"Some pharmacies are now offering healthy heart clinics," says Mehta. "Others are running weight management clinics, offering advice on healthy eating and physical activity."

Those with serious long-term conditions, such as diabetes, will still need regular reviews with their GP or a specialist.

Stop-smoking services are also on offer at some pharmacies as part of local NHS Stop Smoking Services. As well as getting Nicotine Replacement Therapy - such as nicotine gum or patches - on the NHS, you'll meet with your pharmacist to discuss your progress. Visit Go Smokefree for more advice on how to quit.

Not all pharmacies offer these services, but you can check which services your local pharmacy provides by using the Service search. Or just ask your local pharmacist.

"There's much more on offer at your local pharmacy than just bottles of pills," says Mehta.