Pharmacies
Williams Dispensing Chemist
139A WENNINGTON ROAD, Rainham RM13 9TR
Overview
Williams Dispensing Chemist is an independent pharmacy located in Rainham, Essex, serving the local community with professional pharmaceutical services. Like most community pharmacies in the UK, it provides prescription dispensing services, over-the-counter medications, and health advice from qualified pharmacists. The pharmacy is conveniently situated on Wennington Road in a residential area of Rainham, making it accessible to local residents for their everyday healthcare needs.
As a dispensing chemist, Williams offers essential services including the supply of prescribed medicines, repeat prescription management, and general health consultations. The pharmacy typically stocks a range of common medications and remedies for minor ailments. Many community pharmacies like this one also provide additional services such as NHS health checks, medication reviews, and advice on minor illnesses.
The business serves Rainham residents and surrounding areas, providing a vital local healthcare resource. Opening hours and specific services can be confirmed by contacting the pharmacy directly at the Wennington Road location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Williams Dispensing Chemist in Rainham vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01708 524015 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 Williams Dispensing 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, Williams Dispensing 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 Williams Dispensing 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 Williams Dispensing Chemist about setting up a nominated representative.
Yes, Williams Dispensing 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.
Yes, Williams Dispensing Chemist 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 524015 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.
Yes, emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) is available from Williams Dispensing 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.
Yes, you can return unwanted, expired, or unused medicines to Williams Dispensing Chemist 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).
Williams Dispensing Chemist may offer a free prescription delivery service for patients who are housebound, elderly, or have difficulty visiting the pharmacy. Contact 01708 524015 to check availability and arrange delivery to your home in the Rainham area. Some pharmacies use delivery apps or partner with delivery services for same-day delivery.
Williams Dispensing Chemist 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 524015. Some travel vaccines carry a charge as they are not available on the NHS.
Williams Dispensing 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 01708 524015 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, Williams Dispensing 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.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists at Williams Dispensing 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.