Pharmacies
Sands Pharmacy
11 LIAS ROAD, Porthcawl CF36 3AH
Overview
Sands Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located in Porthcawl, a popular coastal town in Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. As a typical high street pharmacy, it serves the local community and visitors to the area by providing essential healthcare services and pharmaceutical support.
The pharmacy offers a range of services including prescription dispensing, over-the-counter medications, and health advice. Staff are qualified to provide guidance on minor ailments and can recommend appropriate treatments for common conditions. Many community pharmacies like Sands also offer services such as flu vaccinations, health checks, and medication reviews to support patient wellbeing.
Located on Lias Road in the town centre, Sands Pharmacy is conveniently positioned to serve residents and tourists. The pharmacy operates standard business hours and accepts NHS prescriptions. It functions as an important part of the local healthcare infrastructure, providing accessible care alongside GP services in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Sands Pharmacy in Porthcawl vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01656 772443 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 Sands 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, Sands 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 Sands 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 Sands Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
Yes, Sands 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.
Sands 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 01656 772443. Some travel vaccines carry a charge as they are not available on the NHS.
Yes, pharmacists at Sands 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.
Sands 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 01656 772443 to find out if COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available at this pharmacy and whether you are eligible.
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, you can return unwanted, expired, or unused medicines to Sands Pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not flush medicines down the toilet or throw them in household waste as they can harm the environment. Simply bring them to the pharmacy and hand them to a member of staff. This includes tablets, liquids, creams, inhalers, and needles/sharps (in a sharps bin).
Sands Pharmacy may offer a free prescription delivery service for patients who are housebound, elderly, or have difficulty visiting the pharmacy. Contact 01656 772443 to check availability and arrange delivery to your home in the Porthcawl area. Some pharmacies use delivery apps or partner with delivery services for same-day delivery.
If Sands 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.
Yes, Sands 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, Sands 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 01656 772443 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.