Pharmacies
Reliance Pharmacy
1 SOUTH ROAD, South Ockendon RM15 6NU
Overview
Reliance Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located in South Ockendon, Essex, serving the local population with essential pharmaceutical services. As an independent or small chain pharmacy, it provides a crucial healthcare function in the community, offering prescription dispensing, over-the-counter medications, and health-related advice to residents in the area.
The pharmacy typically stocks a wide range of medicines, vitamins, and health products to meet everyday healthcare needs. Staff members are qualified pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who can offer expert guidance on medication use, potential side effects, and general health concerns. Many community pharmacies like Reliance also offer services such as prescription repeat ordering, medication reviews, and health screening.
Located on South Road in South Ockendon, the pharmacy is conveniently positioned to serve local residents, including families, elderly patients, and those with chronic conditions requiring regular prescriptions. Reliance Pharmacy serves as an accessible first point of contact for healthcare advice and plays an important role in the primary care system within the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Reliance Pharmacy in South Ockendon vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01708 856627 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 Reliance 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, Reliance 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 Reliance 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 Reliance Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
Yes, emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) is available from Reliance 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.
Reliance 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 01708 856627 to find out if COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available at this pharmacy and whether you are eligible.
Yes, Reliance 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, Reliance 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 01708 856627 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.
Reliance 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 01708 856627. Some travel vaccines carry a charge as they are not available on the NHS.
Yes, Reliance 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, Reliance 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.
Reliance Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 01708 856627 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.
If Reliance 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 Reliance 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.