The NHS has launched an ad campaign to highlight how high-street pharmacies can support patients with non-urgent health advice for minor conditions including coughs, aches and colds.
According to the health service, new polling has found that just one in five people aged 18-40 would visit their local pharmacy first for expert advice with a minor illness.
The movie-inspired ads – titled ‘Help Us Help You’ – dramatise minor illnesses and highlight the ‘vital’ clinical advice, support and over-the-counter medicines that local pharmacists can offer to help ‘nip issues in the bud’.
The ‘Earache strikes back’, ‘sore throat and the lost voice’, and ‘night of the itchy eye’ spots hope to remind Brits that their local pharmacy can help them deal with minor health issues.
This is one of the various campaigns that have been produced by the NHS which aim to draw attention to the importance of accessing the most appropriate NHS service when patients are in need, whether that is through their local pharmacy, 111 or by calling 999 or going to A&E when they need to seek urgent medical help.
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“Community pharmacies are right in the heart of local communities, and with pharmacists fully trained clinical professionals, they are the perfect place for anybody suffering from a minor illness to get expert advice,” NHS chief pharmaceutical officer, David Webb, said.
“Pharmacies can offer the convenience of turn up on the day consultations and can help you get any care needed including over-the-counter-medicines. So whether suffering from a cough, earache, itchy eye, or any other minor illness, popping into your local pharmacy is a great way to nip an issue in the bud before it potentially worsens.”
The campaign will roll out via TV, online video, radio and social media platforms.
YouTuber and advanced clinical practitioner pharmacist, Abraham Khadadi, added: “I would encourage everyone to make use of their local pharmacy. They are such a convenient way to obtain health advice on minor illnesses and you can usually just walk-in and speak to a pharmacist straight away – you don’t even need an appointment.
“All pharmacists train for four years at university with an additional year on a placement – so you can trust us to give you the advice you need – or signpost you to another health service if necessary.”
