Your pharmacist or hospital pharmacy will be able to give you advice on the use of the medicine(s) you have been prescribed, including how to take them and any likely side-effects. Your pharmacist will also tell you if there are any other medicines you should avoid while you are taking your prescribed medicine.

Pharmacists are also qualified to give you advice on how to treat minor ailments and illnesses including coughs, colds, flu and sore throats, common skin and eye complaints and may suggest medicines that you can buy over-the-counter. If your pharmacist is unable to help you with your condition, he or she will suggest you go and see your doctor.

Many people, especially those who feel well but should take medicines e.g. for high blood pressure, do not take all their medicines or may even stop taking them altogether. Reasons for this may include:

• They are not exactly sure how to take their medicines
  
• They do not understand the importance of taking their medicine in managing their illness
  
• They have experienced side-effects
  
• Forgetfulness

Pharmacists play an important role in helping people to get the most benefit from their medicine by explaining their illness and its treatment. Pharmacists can help by:

• Explaining how medicines work and the importance of taking them properly
  
  
• Giving advice and guidance to clarify or explain information on packs and in leaflets
  
  
• Advising on which over-the counter (OTC) are suitable to treat minor ailments for patients taking prescription medicines
  
  
• Advising people about common side-effects and what they mean
  
  
• Using large print on labels
  
  
• Encouraging people to use medicine diaries, calendars or medication charts and support to help with compliance such as dose reminders for tablets and devices to help with taking inhaled medicines, eye drops etc