Pharmacies
Beaminster Pharmacy
20 HOGSHILL STREET, Beaminster DT8 3AA
Overview
Beaminster Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located in the heart of Beaminster, a market town in West Bay, Dorset. Situated at 20 Hogshill Street, it serves the local population and surrounding villages with essential pharmaceutical services. Like most UK community pharmacies, it provides prescription dispensing, over-the-counter medications, and health advice from qualified pharmacists.
The pharmacy is an integral part of Beaminster's healthcare infrastructure, supporting residents with their medication needs and offering professional consultations on minor ailments. The team typically provides services such as prescription management, repeat medication ordering, and general wellness advice. Many community pharmacies in small towns like Beaminster also offer services including blood pressure checks and medication reviews.
As a long-established community pharmacy, Beaminster Pharmacy is easily accessible to local residents and visitors. The convenient town centre location on Hogshill Street makes it a key healthcare resource for the community, complementing the services provided by local GP practices and other healthcare facilities in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Beaminster Pharmacy in Beaminster vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01308 862288 for current opening times. Many pharmacies open early (8am) and close late (6:30pm or later). Check the NHS website for verified opening hours.
Some medicines require a prescription from your GP or hospital doctor, while many others are available over the counter without a prescription. The pharmacist at Beaminster Pharmacy can advise you on which medicines are available without a prescription and can recommend suitable treatments for common conditions such as coughs, colds, headaches, hay fever, and minor infections.
Yes, Beaminster Pharmacy offers free NHS flu vaccinations each autumn for eligible patients including those aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people with long-term conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease), carers, and frontline health and social care workers. No appointment is needed at many pharmacies — walk in and ask. The pharmacist can check your eligibility on the spot.
Yes, you can collect a prescription on behalf of someone else from Beaminster Pharmacy. You will need to know the patient's name and date of birth, and you may be asked to sign for the collection. For controlled drugs, additional identification requirements may apply. If you regularly collect for someone, ask Beaminster Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
Yes, you can return unwanted, expired, or unused medicines to Beaminster Pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not flush medicines down the toilet or throw them in household waste as they can harm the environment. Simply bring them to the pharmacy and hand them to a member of staff. This includes tablets, liquids, creams, inhalers, and needles/sharps (in a sharps bin).
Yes, Beaminster Pharmacy can manage your repeat prescriptions for you. The pharmacy contacts your GP surgery on your behalf to order your regular medicines, so they are ready for you to collect without having to request them yourself each time. Ask about the Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) service, which allows your GP to authorise repeats for up to 12 months.
Yes, Beaminster Pharmacy offers Medicine Use Reviews (MURs) and the New Medicine Service (NMS) to help you get the most from your medicines. These free NHS consultations help you understand what your medicines are for, how to take them correctly, identify side effects, and resolve any problems. Ask the pharmacist if you take multiple medications or have recently started a new medicine.
Beaminster Pharmacy may offer a free prescription delivery service for patients who are housebound, elderly, or have difficulty visiting the pharmacy. Contact 01308 862288 to check availability and arrange delivery to your home in the Beaminster area. Some pharmacies use delivery apps or partner with delivery services for same-day delivery.
Beaminster Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 01308 862288 to confirm step-free access, accessible counter heights, and any other adjustments you may need. Under the Equality Act, pharmacies must make reasonable adjustments for disabled customers. A private consultation room is available for confidential discussions.
Beaminster Pharmacy may offer COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as part of the NHS vaccination programme. Eligibility depends on current NHS guidance. Check the NHS website or call 01308 862288 to find out if COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available at this pharmacy and whether you are eligible.
Yes, Beaminster Pharmacy has a private consultation room where you can speak to the pharmacist confidentially about your health, medicines, or any sensitive issues. All NHS pharmacy services including Pharmacy First consultations, medicine reviews, and vaccination appointments take place in the private room. Ask at the counter if you would like a private consultation.
Yes, emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) is available from Beaminster Pharmacy without a prescription. It is most effective the sooner it is taken after unprotected sex. Levonorgestrel (effective up to 72 hours) is available over the counter. Ulipristal acetate (effective up to 120 hours) may also be available. The pharmacist will have a brief confidential consultation. Emergency contraception is free on the NHS for women of all ages from most pharmacies.
You may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you are aged 60 or over, under 16 (or under 19 in full-time education), pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, have certain medical conditions (diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, etc.), receiving certain benefits (Universal Credit with no earnings, Income Support, etc.), a war pensioner, or hold an HC2 certificate. If you pay for prescriptions, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) can save money — currently about £30 for 3 months or £108 for 12 months, covering unlimited prescriptions.
Yes, Beaminster Pharmacy offers free NHS blood pressure checks for adults aged 40 and over. High blood pressure often has no symptoms but increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. The check takes about 5 minutes — walk in or call 01308 862288 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.