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Sandwell Pharmacy Group
Private service

Back pain relief,without a GP appointment

A short consultation with our pharmacist and, if it’s right for you, a course of prescription-strength naproxen — the same anti-inflammatory a GP would prescribe.

Book or walk in →
Pharmacist consultation

How it works

A 15-minute consultation with a GPhC-registered pharmacist. Supplied under a Patient Group Direction — the same medicine a GP would prescribe.

01
Tell us about the pain

Where it is, how long it’s been there and what you’ve already tried. Anything that needs a doctor is picked up here.

02
Safety questions

A few questions about your stomach, kidneys, heart and other medicines — naproxen isn’t right for everyone.

03
Take your course home

Prescription-strength naproxen with clear instructions. Payment in branch.

Price
Confirmed in branch
pay on the day · consultation included
GPhC-registered pharmacist
Private consultation room
No GP referral needed
No charge if we can’t supply

Is this service right for you?

  • Adults aged 18 and over
  • Acute, uncomplicated lower back pain
  • Pain that has not responded to paracetamol or over-the-counter ibuprofen
Not suitable if
  • Under 18, or pregnant / breastfeeding
  • History of stomach ulcers or GI bleeding
  • Significant kidney, heart or liver disease
  • Already taking another NSAID, blood thinners or certain blood-pressure medicines
  • Numbness, weakness, bladder or bowel changes, or pain after a fall — these need urgent medical assessment

The pharmacist checks the full criteria at your consultation. If this service isn’t right for you, we’ll tell you what is — and there’s nothing to pay.

What we supply: Naproxen 250 mg or 500 mg tablets. Usual dose 500 mg then 250 mg every 6–8 hours, maximum 1,000 mg a day, shortest course that works.

Choose your branch and time

Only branches that offer this service are shown. Prefer to walk in? Just come to the counter — a booking guarantees the pharmacist is free.

Frequently asked

Is this the same naproxen a GP prescribes?

Yes — the same prescription-only medicine, supplied under a Patient Group Direction by a trained pharmacist.

What if I have red-flag symptoms?

Numbness, weakness in the legs, changes to bladder or bowel control, fever, or back pain after an injury need a doctor, not this service. Our pharmacist will tell you if that’s the case.

Can I have it if I’m on other medicines?

Some combinations aren’t safe (blood thinners, other anti-inflammatories, some blood-pressure and heart medicines). Bring a list and we’ll check.

Read more: Lower back pain: when the pharmacy can help and when it can’t · Naproxen vs ibuprofen for back pain: what the pharmacy can supply

0121 500 5756