Pharmacies
Virens Chemist
560 HERTFORD ROAD, EDMONTON, London N9 8AG
Overview
Virens Chemist is an independent pharmacy located on Hertford Road in Edmonton, North London. Like most community chemists across the UK, it provides essential pharmaceutical services to local residents and patients. The business operates as a retail pharmacy, dispensing prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and health and wellness products to serve the Edmonton community.
As a neighbourhood pharmacy, Virens Chemist typically offers services including prescription dispensing, medication advice, and consultations with qualified pharmacy staff. Many independent chemists in this area also provide services such as repeat prescription management and general health and wellbeing support to their customers. The pharmacy serves as an accessible healthcare resource for the local population.
The location on Hertford Road makes it convenient for residents across Edmonton and surrounding areas to access pharmacy services without requiring a hospital visit. Like other community pharmacies, Virens Chemist plays an important role in the local healthcare network, providing professional expertise and convenient access to medicines and health products for the area's residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Virens Chemist in London vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 020 8804 1932 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 Virens Chemist 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, Virens Chemist 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 Virens Chemist. 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 Virens Chemist about setting up a nominated representative.
Yes, Virens Chemist 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.
Virens Chemist aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 020 8804 1932 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.
Virens Chemist 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 020 8804 1932 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.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists at Virens Chemist 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, Virens Chemist 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, Virens Chemist 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.
Virens Chemist may offer a free prescription delivery service for patients who are housebound, elderly, or have difficulty visiting the pharmacy. Contact 020 8804 1932 to check availability and arrange delivery to your home in the London area. Some pharmacies use delivery apps or partner with delivery services for same-day delivery.
Yes, Virens Chemist 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 Virens Chemist 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.