Help with your medicines

Pharmacists can answer your questions on prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Most pharmacies in Lagos, Nigeria provide the following services:

• dispensing of NHIS or HMO prescriptions
• access to the repeat prescription service
• an emergency supply of medicine, subject to the decision of the pharmacist (you may need to pay for an emergency supply)
• non-prescription medicines like paracetamol
• advice on treating minor health concerns and healthy living

Pharmacy technicians can help with things like:

• inhaler technique
• how to take a medicine safely
• helping you understand the correct dose of a new medicine and how often you need to take it

Repeat prescriptions

• choose a specific pharmacy  to collect your prescriptions from each time – call or contact the pharmacy online or your local pharmacy near you a few days before you run out of medicine to check your prescription is ready to collect
• decide each time you’re given a prescription where to collect it – you’ll be given a paper copy to any pharmacy near you in Nigeria.

As part of the repeat prescription service, the pharmacist will ask if you’re having any problems or side effects with your medicines and, where appropriate, they can discuss this with you and your physician.

Minor illnesses

Pharmacies can give treatment advice about a range of common conditions and minor injuries, such as:

• aches and pains
• sore throat
• coughs
• colds
• flu
• earache
• cystitis
• skin rashes
• teething
• red eye

If you want to buy an over-the-counter medicine (OTC), the pharmacist and their team can help you choose.

Antibiotics will not be available over the counter to treat minor conditions.

Medicines Use Review

You can make an appointment with a pharmacist for a more detailed consultation called a Medicines Use Review. This is especially useful if you regularly take several prescription medicines or have a long-term illness.

Other healthcare professionals may also ask for your permission to refer you to a pharmacy of your choice for a Medicines Use Review, for example when you have been discharged from hospital with a change to your medicines.

You can talk about what you’re taking, when you should be taking it, and any side effects you might be concerned about.

Tell a pharmacist if you’re taking any over-the-counter medicines or any herbal remedies. They can advise you whether these can be taken at the same time or not.

Other pharmacy services

Other services that may be available at your local pharmacy near you:

• you may be referred to a pharmacist for advice after contacting your physician
• emergency contraception
• asthma inhaler use and advice
• chlamydia screening and treatment
• stop smoking service
• blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar testing
• substance misuse service, including needle and syringe exchange schemes
• weight management service
• flu vaccination

Out-of-hours service

Many pharmacies in Lagos, Nigeria offer extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends. Some are open until midnight or even later, even on public holidays. Source