Pharmacies
Merridale Pharmacy
MERRIDALE HEALTH CENTRE, 5 FULLHURST AVENUE, Leicester LE3 1BL
Overview
Merridale Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located at Merridale Health Centre in Leicester's LE3 postcode area. As part of an integrated health centre, it serves the local population by providing essential pharmaceutical services and healthcare support. The pharmacy operates within the NHS framework, dispensing prescribed medications to patients and offering professional advice on medication use and health management.
The pharmacy provides standard community pharmacy services including prescription dispensing, medicines advice, and health and wellbeing support. Staff members are trained healthcare professionals qualified to assist patients with queries about their medications and potential side effects. The location within a health centre means patients can access both pharmacy and wider healthcare services conveniently in one place.
The pharmacy serves the local Leicester community and surrounding areas, supporting patients of all ages who require prescription medications and pharmaceutical guidance. Operating as part of the broader healthcare infrastructure, Merridale Pharmacy plays an important role in ensuring residents have accessible healthcare provision within their neighbourhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Merridale Pharmacy in Leicester vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01162 825400 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 Merridale 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, Merridale 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 Merridale 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 Merridale 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, Merridale 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 Merridale 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, Merridale 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 01162 825400 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.
Yes, Merridale 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.
If Merridale 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.
Merridale Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 01162 825400 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, Merridale 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.
Merridale 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 01162 825400. Some travel vaccines carry a charge as they are not available on the NHS.
Yes, pharmacists at Merridale 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.