Pharmacies
Metwest Pharmacy
UNIT 2, LISTER HOUSE HEALTH CENTRE, ABERCROMBIE WAY, Harlow CM18 6YJ
Overview
Metwest Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located at Lister House Health Centre in Harlow, Essex. The pharmacy serves the local population by providing essential pharmaceutical services and healthcare support to residents across the Harlow area. As part of a health centre facility, it operates in an integrated healthcare environment alongside other medical services, offering convenient access to pharmacy expertise alongside other healthcare professionals.
The pharmacy provides a comprehensive range of services typical of modern community pharmacies, including prescription dispensing, over-the-counter medication sales, and professional health advice. The team at Metwest Pharmacy is equipped to offer medicines management support, advice on medication usage, and can assist with various health concerns. Being situated within a dedicated health centre allows for good coordination between pharmacy staff and other healthcare providers, benefiting patient care.
Metwest Pharmacy serves residents seeking accessible, local pharmaceutical services in Harlow. The pharmacy is committed to providing professional, reliable service to its community and welcomes patients with NHS prescriptions and private requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Metwest Pharmacy in Harlow vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01279 420658 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 Metwest 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, Metwest 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 Metwest 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 Metwest Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
Metwest Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 01279 420658 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.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists at Metwest 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, Metwest 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, Metwest 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, Metwest 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, Metwest 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 01279 420658 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.
Yes, pharmacists at Metwest 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.
Metwest 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 01279 420658. Some travel vaccines carry a charge as they are not available on the NHS.
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.
If Metwest 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.