GP advised use of NHS Minor ailments scheme - can pharmacist prescribe?

[eleflump]

I think my DS has ringworm on his scalp - Google suggests that because it is on his scalp he will need prescribed medication for it rather than anything that can be bought over the counter.

I contacted the GP via the online service and sent a photo and they replied that we should go to a pharmacist and use the minor ailments service.

We went to two local chemists last night who said that they do not offer the service, so called at the doctor's to check we had been given the right advice.

The receptionist disappeared and then came back to say she had contacted a different chemist to check if they offered the service and that we should go there. We went, only to be told that they don't do the minor ailments service!

Am going to ring round different chemists today but having googled I am not actually sure if prescription medication is available via the minor ailments service?

Does anyone know anything about it?

If this were an adult I'd suggest using an online pharmacy like superdrug. I'm not sure if they do children as I've only used it for myself. I tend to buy most minor alimenent things there now. Its better than trying to physically get hold of a pharmacist or doctor as although they're not, I started to feel like they were avoiding me.

There is a search facility online, possibly NHS website which lists pharmacies that offer the minor ailments scheme. The pharmacist will take a look at your DS and prescribe the relevant drug. You don't need to know the name of it.
I would ring the doctor back and ask why they didn't just send a prescription through to a local pharmacy rather than making you traipse around doing this!

DS is 18 - I sent the request to the GP for him while he was at work.

I did think that after sending the photo they would just send a prescription!

The response said that all pharmacists offer the service, which is clearly not the case so not sure if its outdated advice.

Are you in England? All pharmacies in Northern Ireland offer it. I think all in Scotland do too. Not sure about England or Wales.

Just to update - have rung 8 chemists in the local area and none of them offer the service so will need to go back to the GP on Monday.

And sorry - yes, am in England.

Just to confirm, yes the pharmacy has prescribed treatment for ringworm for my toddler. It was the first time I'd heard of the service.

I’m a pharmacist, a lot of pharmacies have stopped the minor ailment scheme. Even on the scheme the pharmacist couldn’t do anything as on the scalp it’s a bit harder to get rid of so antifungal tablets are likely to be prescribed (usually terbinafine for 1-3 months dependent on severity and cultures). They may be prescribed ketoconazole shampoo to prevent it being passed on. You can buy the shampoo but you may as well wait for it on prescription especially if your child doesn’t pay for them.

Hi @Berlioz23 thanks so much for your reply.

Google suggested that it would be terbinafine that would be needed as the ringworm is on his scalp, so thank you for confirming that a pharmacist wouldn't be able to prescribe that.

Will contact the GP again on Monday but will see if I can get hold of the shampoo tomorrow as he pays for his prescriptions.

Think a change of barber might be in order as that's the only place I can think of where he might have picked it up!

No worries, the brand name for the shampoo is nizoral or you can use selenium shampoo but that’s hard to get hold of