Two things are registered, not one
People assume the pharmacist is registered and leave it there. In fact the premises are registered separately from the person. A registered pharmacist working from unregistered premises is still a problem, and so is the reverse.
In England, Scotland and Wales both registers are held by the General Pharmaceutical Council. In Northern Ireland the equivalent body is the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. Searching either takes about a minute and costs nothing.
- Search the pharmacy name or postcode on the GPhC register of premises
- Search the pharmacist by name or registration number
- Check the entry says registered, rather than lapsed, suspended or removed
The Responsible Pharmacist
Every registered pharmacy must have a Responsible Pharmacist in charge whenever it is operating, and their name must be displayed where you can see it. If prescription medicines are being handed out and no pharmacist is present or named, that is worth questioning.
This is why a pharmacy sometimes stops dispensing at lunchtime even though the shop stays open. The counter can trade without a pharmacist; the dispensary cannot.
What a pharmacy can deal with instead of a GP
Community pharmacists are qualified to advise on far more than most people use them for, and no appointment is needed. Minor illness, medicine interactions, side effects, and whether a symptom needs a GP at all are all ordinary pharmacy questions.
Many pharmacies also offer vaccinations, blood pressure checks and emergency contraception, though what is available free on the NHS varies between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Ask before assuming a service is free.
Buying medicines online
An online pharmacy serving Great Britain must also be registered with the GPhC, and registered online pharmacies display a distance selling logo that links back to their register entry. A site selling prescription-only medicines without a prescription is operating illegally, wherever it claims to be based.
A warning sign worth taking seriously
If a website offers prescription-only medicine with no prescription and no consultation, do not use it. There is no legitimate UK pharmacy that does this.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register with a pharmacy like I do with a GP?
- No. You can use any pharmacy you like and change at any time. Some people nominate a pharmacy for repeat prescriptions, which is a convenience rather than a registration, and the nomination can be changed whenever you want.
- Can a pharmacist refuse to dispense a prescription?
- Yes, in specific circumstances. A pharmacist can refuse if they believe dispensing would be unsafe, if the prescription appears altered, or on grounds of conscience for certain products. Where conscience is the reason, they are expected to make sure you can obtain the medicine elsewhere.
- Is a food hygiene rating relevant to a pharmacy?
- Only if the pharmacy also sells food. Hygiene ratings come from the Food Standards Agency and cover food businesses. Pharmacy standards are inspected by the General Pharmaceutical Council, which publishes its inspection reports separately.
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About this guide
Written and maintained by the LocalListed editorial team. It describes UK regulation and consumer protections in general terms and is not legal, financial or professional advice. Rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and change over time: always check the position with the named regulator before relying on it.