Our Services - Pharmacy Orpington

Extra Services

Free Clamydia Screening & Treatment Service.

Chlamydia is now the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STIs) in the UK. It affects both men and women.It is caused by bacteria that affect the sexual organs.The problem is, Chlamydia often has no symptoms so it goes undetected. That's what leads to more serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility or lead to an ectopic pregnancy.

Most people don't have any symptoms, but some do, and they can include:

- pain when you're having sex or urinating

- unusual discharge

- bleeding after sex or between periods

- pain below your belly button or in your testicles

If you notice any of these, see a doctor or nurse straight away. You can visit your GP or if you'd rather, a GUM (genitourinary medicine), sexual health or contraceptive (family planning) clinic.

It won't go away if you ignore it so do not put off getting checked.You also risk passing the infection on to someone else.Talk to our Pharmacist about the FREE Chlamydia test.You won't need to go through an intimate or embarrassing examination. Our Pharmacist will give you a simple test kit that you can use in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Simply take a urine sample or a swab from the vagina and post directly to the Laboratory in the container provided. The results will be sent directly to you by the laboratory in what ever way you choose e.g. mobile phone or text message.The result is not sent to any one else.

If you do have Clamydia or have been diagnosed by a Sexual Health or GUM clinic then treatment is avaiable free of charge from the Pharmacy.Please contact the Pharmacist or member of staff for details.

Whether you've had chlamydia before or not, you can reduce your risk of catching it by using the following guidelines:

Use condoms every time you have sex to reduce the risk of getting or passing on chlamydia and other STIs, including HIV

Every time you have unprotected sex with a different partner, get a chlamydia test.

Remember, though, that it sometimes takes up to 3 weeks for the infection to show up with the test

If you think you may be at risk of having chlamydia, don't have sex (even with a condom) until you've been tested and have got the all clear.

If you have a positive test result for chlamydia, make sure that you get treated as soon as possible and don't have sex (oral, vaginal, anal or using sex toys), even with a condom, until 7 days after you've finished the course of treatment.

Remember, you can catch chlamydia again if you have sex with a new partner who has it, so make sure you always use a condom. If you think you've put yourself at risk, get another chlamydia test.

This service is only available if the accredited pharmacist or trained member of staff is available.

Free Antiviral Collection Point.

If you have been given a voucher,Prescription by your Doctor or Hospital or a code from the National Pandemic Flu Centre for Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) or Relenza(Zanamivir)then we are able to dipense the drug to you Free of charge.

Our Pharmacist will also advise you on the side effects of the drugs and what precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of Swine Flu.

Please note that Patients sufffering from Swine Flu should NOT come to the Pharmacy but send a friend to collect the treatment for them.The friend will have to provide I.D. for themselves as well as the Patient Concerned.

Free Blood Pressure Measurement Service

As high blood pressure affects one in three adults,so it is important that you are aware of the risks and how you can reduce them. Our free, confidential service only takes a few minutes.

All lot of people living in Britain UK aren't aware they have high blood pressure. That's ecause usually there are no symptoms or they have never had their blood pressure measured.If left untreated, the condition can lead to heart problems, strokes and damage to other vital organs.

As you get older you're more likely to have high blood pressure, but there are also lifestyle factors which can put you at a higher risk. If any of the following apply to you, it's a good idea to visit our pharmacy for a free blood pressure test:

You have a family history of high blood pressure or heart disease
You're overweight
You don't do much exercise
You're of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent
You drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol (14* units per week for women, 21 units per week for men)
You have a diet that's high in salt or one which is not balanced
You have a stressful job or lead a stressful life

Our free blood pressure testing service includes blood pressure readings, advice on your lifestyle and, if necessary, referral to your doctor.In most cases high Blood pressure can be treated by making lifestyle changes,loosing weight, more excercise and if you smoke then stop smoking.

It only takes a few minutes and you don't usually need an appointment.

Diabetes Screening

There are thought to be 750,000 people living in the UK who have Type 2 diabetes and are not aware of it.Type 2 diabetes occurs when not enough insulin is produced by the body for it to function properly, or when the body's cells do not react to insulin. This is called insulin resistance.

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the body does not produce any insulin at all. Around 95% of all people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be able to control your symptoms simply by eating a healthy diet, and monitoring your blood glucose level. The symptoms can often be missed, but unfortunately if the condition is ignored it can cause long-term complications including heart disease, high blood pressure and eye damage.However, as type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, you may eventually need to take insulin medication, usually in the form of injections.
Gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy)

During pregnancy, some women have such high levels of glucose in their blood that their body cannot produce enough insulin to absorb it all. This is known as gestational diabetes, and affects approximately 2-7% of pregnant women.

Pregnancy can also sometimes make existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes more difficult to control. If you are pregnant, you may require additional time and effort to manage your diabetes during your pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of health problems developing in an unborn baby, so it is important that you keep the glucose levels in your blood under control.

In most cases, gestational diabetes disappears after the baby is born. However, women with the condition have an estimated 30% risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on in life.

Some people are more at risk than others. If you're over 40, have a history of diabetes within your family, are overweight or don't do much exercise you may be at an increased risk. Our diabetes service will help identify your risk of developing diabetes. And if you have one or more of the following symptoms it's also a good idea to speak to a member of our pharmacy team:

You're always thirsty
You pass water a lot
You're always tired
Your vision is sometimes blurred
You get cramps at night
You often get infections
Your wounds heal slowly
You often get thrush or genital itching
Your hands and feet often feel numb

Our diabetes service includes a simple blood test to check your blood glucose level, and help and advice on leading a healthy lifestyle.If necessary we will refer you to your GP.

Free Medical Check-Up Service.

What is a Medicines Check-Up?

A Medicines Check-Up is a chance for you to sit down and talk informally and in confidence to our Pharmacist about your medicines.

During the Medicines Check-Up you will be able to find out more about your medicines and what they do, how well they work for you and also how you can get the most out of them as well as any side-effects.

The way you take your medicines can make a great difference to how well they work.It's easy to make mistakes without even realising it. Understanding how and when to take your medicines,ensuring that you are able to take various medicines at the same time,controlling and being aware of their side effects,will have a great bearing in the treatment of your condition and general well being.

A large porportion of Patients take their medication incorrectly and hence do not benifit from the treatment they recieve. Our Medicines Check-up is a good idea for all Patients, but is especially if:

You don't know how and when to take your medicines
You're not sure what your medicines were prescribed for
Your symptoms aren't under control
You have side effects
You find it hard to remember when to take your medicines
You find it difficult to take,swallow or inhale your medicines

Our free Medicines Check-up Service takes around 10 minutes.Hopefully you will leave having a greater understanding of your condition and why you are on the medication prescribed and when to take it. The pharmacist will need history of your last 3 months prescriptions so why not join up to our free collection & delivery service if you have not already done so!

If you are a regular Patient at the Pharmacy then the Pharmacist will have your prescription records.

If you wish to have a Medicines Check-Up then please ask for the Pharmacist or talk to a member of staff to make an appointment at a time which sould suit you.Alternatively you can phone or e-mail us using the 'contact us' button on the website

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