Docfan Academy

Many people come to the pharmacy before they go to a clinic. You can help with minor, short-lived problems. You can also protect people by knowing when to say "this needs a doctor". Good counter care is mostly good questions.

Ask before you give

• Who is it for? An adult, a child, a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, an older person? The answer changes what is safe.
• What are the symptoms, and how long have they lasted?
• What has the person already taken? Include other medicines, herbal products and anything from another pharmacy, so you do not double up.
• Any allergies, long-term illnesses or regular medicines?

Red flags: refer

Send the person to a doctor or health facility, and without delay when it looks serious, if you hear:

• difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting or confusion
• blood in vomit, stool or urine, or black stools
• fever that lasts or keeps returning, or any fever in a newborn or very young baby
• severe or sudden pain, or a severe headache with a stiff neck
• symptoms that last longer than expected, keep coming back, or get worse despite self-care
• signs of dehydration in a child, or any new problem in a pregnant woman
• a very young, very old or chronically ill person who looks unwell

In an emergency, tell the person to go to the nearest emergency service now, and help them get there.

The firm line

Do not sell antibiotics or other prescription-only medicines without a valid prescription. The customer may be kind, in a hurry, or a friend of a friend. The rule is still the rule. It protects the customer, and it protects you and your licence.