Good medicine shopA pharmacy (also called drugstore in American English or community pharmacy or chemists in Commonwealth English) is a retail shop which provides prescription drugs, among other products. At the pharmacy, a pharmacist oversees the fulfillment of medical prescriptions and is available to give advice on their offerings of over-the-counter drugs. A typical pharmacy would be in the commercial area of a community.The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy recommends that consumers choose a pharmacy at which they can have a consulting relationship with the pharmacist.Anyone using drugs benefits when they have easier access to a pharmacist Being timely includes both processing the request quickly and having drug stock available to fill the prescription.Some consumers need drugs delivered to their home, perhaps by mail, and may select a pharmacy which offers that service.Different pharmacies may charge different prices for the same drugs, so shopping for lower prices may identify a pharmacy offering better value. In addition to fulfilling prescriptions, a pharmacy might offer preventive healthcare services like vaccinations.Up-to-date technology at a pharmacy can assist a patient with prescription reminders and alerts about potential negative drug interactions, thereby reducing medical errors.In the English NHS there are 438 million visits nationally to community pharmacies a year for health related reasons. More than 1 billion prescription items were dispensed in 2012. More than £14 billion is spent on prescribed drugs annually.[6] Under the 2005 NHS Community Pharmacy contract all community pharmacists in England and Wales provide:[7]Dispensing ServiceRepeat Dispensing Service: This allows the patient to collect regular repeat prescription medicines for an agreed period of time, without having to go back to their GPDisposal of Unwanted Medicines.Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles.Signposting to other Services.Support for Self-Care: advice on treating minor illnesses and long term conditions.Widely available Advanced Services:Medicines Use Review & Prescription Intervention.New Medicine Service. For patients who have been given their first prescription for a medicine to treat Asthma and COPD, Type 2 diabetes, Hypertension or Anticoagulant Therapy.Appliance Use Review Service.Flu Vaccination.Enhanced Services which are not available unless locally commissioned:Minimising Adverse Effects and Admissions Related to Medicines.Discharge and Transfer Planning.Managing Dental Pain.