Pharmacies
Chipping Ongar Pharmacy
205 HIGH STREET, CHIPPING ONGAR, Ongar CM5 9JG
Overview
Chipping Ongar Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located in the high street of Chipping Ongar, a historic market town in Essex. The pharmacy serves the local population and surrounding areas, providing essential pharmaceutical services to residents of all ages.
The pharmacy offers a range of standard services typical of independent community pharmacies, including dispensing prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and health advice from qualified pharmacists. They stock a wide variety of health and wellness products to support the healthcare needs of their community. The pharmacy team is knowledgeable about local patient needs and provides personalized service.
Based on its high street location, Chipping Ongar Pharmacy is conveniently positioned for foot traffic and serves as an accessible healthcare resource for the town's residents. Like most community pharmacies, they may also offer services such as repeat prescription management and general health consultations, making them an important part of the local primary healthcare infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Chipping Ongar Pharmacy in Ongar vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01277 362567 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 Chipping Ongar 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, Chipping Ongar 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 Chipping Ongar 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 Chipping Ongar Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
Chipping Ongar Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 01277 362567 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.
Chipping Ongar Pharmacy may offer a free prescription delivery service for patients who are housebound, elderly, or have difficulty visiting the pharmacy. Contact 01277 362567 to check availability and arrange delivery to your home in the Ongar area. Some pharmacies use delivery apps or partner with delivery services for same-day delivery.
If Chipping Ongar Pharmacy is closed, check the rota for the nearest late-night or duty pharmacy — pharmacies take turns providing out-of-hours cover on evenings, Sundays, and bank holidays. You can find the nearest open pharmacy on the NHS website or by calling NHS 111. In a medical emergency, call 999.
Yes, Chipping Ongar 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 01277 362567 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.
Yes, Chipping Ongar 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.
Yes, emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) is available from Chipping Ongar 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.
Yes, Chipping Ongar 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, pharmacists at Chipping Ongar Pharmacy can now prescribe for certain common conditions under the NHS Pharmacy First service. Conditions covered include sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. This means you can get treatment without seeing a GP. The pharmacist can also supply emergency contraception and some other medicines under Patient Group Directions.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists at Chipping Ongar Pharmacy to assess and treat seven common conditions without a GP appointment: sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated UTIs in women. The pharmacist can supply NHS medicines for these conditions free of charge if you are exempt from prescription charges. This saves you waiting for a GP appointment.
Yes, Chipping Ongar 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.