Pharmacies
Higginbottom Pharmacy
11 MAIN STREET, Ferryhill DL17 8LA
Overview
Higginbottom Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located on Main Street in Ferryhill, County Durham. As a neighbourhood pharmacy, it serves the local residents of Ferryhill and surrounding areas by providing essential pharmaceutical services and healthcare support.
The pharmacy offers a comprehensive range of services typical of UK community pharmacies, including prescription dispensing, over-the-counter medications, and health advice from qualified pharmacists. The team assists patients with managing their medications, understanding dosage instructions, and identifying potential drug interactions. They also stock a variety of health and wellness products to support everyday healthcare needs.
Higginbottom Pharmacy plays an important role in the local healthcare system, working closely with GPs and NHS services. The pharmacy is conveniently positioned on Main Street, making it easily accessible to residents. Like most community pharmacies, they provide a professional, confidential service and are committed to helping patients maintain good health through quality pharmaceutical care and expert guidance from their experienced pharmacy staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Higginbottom Pharmacy in Ferryhill vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01740 651200 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 Higginbottom 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, Higginbottom 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 Higginbottom 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 Higginbottom Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
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, Higginbottom 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 Higginbottom 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.
Yes, Higginbottom 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.
Yes, Higginbottom 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.
Higginbottom Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 01740 651200 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.
Higginbottom Pharmacy may offer a free prescription delivery service for patients who are housebound, elderly, or have difficulty visiting the pharmacy. Contact 01740 651200 to check availability and arrange delivery to your home in the Ferryhill area. Some pharmacies use delivery apps or partner with delivery services for same-day delivery.
Yes, Higginbottom 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 Higginbottom 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.
Higginbottom 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 01740 651200. Some travel vaccines carry a charge as they are not available on the NHS.