Pharmacies
How Wood Pharmacy
16 HOW WOOD, PARK STREET, St. Albans AL2 2RA
Overview
How Wood Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located in Park Street, St. Albans, Hertfordshire. Like other independent pharmacies across the UK, it serves the local population by providing prescription dispensing services, over-the-counter medications, and healthcare advice. The pharmacy is positioned in a residential area of St. Albans, making it accessible to residents needing routine pharmaceutical services.
The pharmacy typically offers standard services including prescription fulfillment, medication reviews, and general health consultations. Staff members are qualified pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who can advise customers on minor ailments, contraception services, and medication management. The business plays an important role in the local healthcare system by providing accessible pharmaceutical care without requiring a GP referral for many services.
As a community pharmacy, How Wood Pharmacy contributes to primary care provision in St. Albans and supports patients in managing their medications effectively. Opening hours and specific services may vary, so customers are advised to contact the pharmacy directly for current information about availability and any specialist services they might offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at How Wood Pharmacy in St. Albans vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01727 872190 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 How Wood 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, How Wood 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 How Wood 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 How Wood 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, How Wood 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, How Wood 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 01727 872190 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.
How Wood Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 01727 872190 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.
How Wood 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 01727 872190 to find out if COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available at this pharmacy and whether you are eligible.
Yes, pharmacists at How Wood 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.
If How Wood 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.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists at How Wood 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.
How Wood 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 01727 872190. Some travel vaccines carry a charge as they are not available on the NHS.
Yes, How Wood 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.