Pharmacies
High Street Pharmacy
HIGH STREET SURGERY, HIGH STREET, Lowestoft NR32 1JE
Overview
High Street Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located within the High Street Surgery building in Lowestoft, Suffolk. As a pharmacy integrated with a GP surgery, it provides convenient access to pharmaceutical services alongside primary care facilities. The pharmacy serves the local Lowestoft population and surrounding areas, offering essential medication dispensing and healthcare support.
The pharmacy typically provides a range of services including prescription dispensing, over-the-counter medicines, health advice, and consultations with qualified pharmacists. Many community pharmacies in this setting also offer services such as minor ailment advice, repeat prescription management, and medication reviews. Staff can assist patients with understanding their medications and potential side effects.
The location on High Street in central Lowestoft makes it easily accessible for residents. The pharmacy operates as part of the NHS community pharmacy network, accepting prescriptions from local GPs and other healthcare providers. Opening hours vary but typically align with the surgery's schedule. Patients can walk in for advice or contact the surgery reception for pharmacy-related enquiries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at High Street Pharmacy in Lowestoft vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01502 580002 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 High Street 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, High Street 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 High Street 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 High Street Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
High Street Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 01502 580002 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.
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.
High Street 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 01502 580002. Some travel vaccines carry a charge as they are not available on the NHS.
High Street 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 01502 580002 to find out if COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available at this pharmacy and whether you are eligible.
Yes, High Street 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.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists at High Street 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, High Street 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, High Street 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 01502 580002 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.
Yes, emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) is available from High Street 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, pharmacists at High Street 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.