Pharmacies
Harlow Town Pharmacy
UNIT B, MAYFLOWER HOUSE, WYCH ELM, Harlow CM20 1FT
Overview
Harlow Town Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located in the town centre of Harlow, Essex. Situated in Mayflower House on Wych Elm, it serves the local population and surrounding areas with comprehensive pharmaceutical services. As an established healthcare provider in the town, the pharmacy plays an important role in providing accessible healthcare to residents.
The pharmacy offers a range of services typical of modern community pharmacies, including prescription dispensing, over-the-counter medicines, and health advice. Staff members are qualified pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who can provide guidance on medications, minor ailments, and general health concerns. Many community pharmacies in Harlow also offer services such as NHS prescriptions, smoking cessation support, and minor illness consultations.
The pharmacy is conveniently located in the town centre, making it easily accessible for local residents and those visiting the area. As a community pharmacy, it works closely with local GP practices and the NHS to ensure patients receive appropriate healthcare support and medication management in their own community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Harlow Town Pharmacy in Harlow vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 020 3278 5414 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 Harlow Town 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, Harlow Town 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 Harlow Town 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 Harlow Town Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
If Harlow Town 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, Harlow Town Pharmacy can help you quit smoking with free NHS support including advice from the pharmacist, nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers), a structured stop smoking programme with regular check-ins, and access to prescription-only stop smoking medications via your GP. Evidence shows you are up to 3 times more likely to quit with professional support compared to going it alone.
Harlow Town Pharmacy can provide travel health advice and some travel vaccinations. Common travel vaccines available at pharmacies include hepatitis A, typhoid, and cholera. Other vaccinations such as yellow fever require a specialist travel clinic. Book a travel health consultation at least 6-8 weeks before your trip by calling 020 3278 5414. Some travel vaccines carry a charge as they are not available on the NHS.
Harlow Town 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 020 3278 5414 to find out if COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available at this pharmacy and whether you are eligible.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists at Harlow Town 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.
Harlow Town Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 020 3278 5414 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.
Yes, Harlow Town 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, Harlow Town 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, Harlow Town 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 020 3278 5414 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.
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.