Managing Minor Ailments: Your Home Pharmacy Kit

A sensibly stocked medicine cabinet lets you deal with most minor illness at home, without a trip to the GP or A&E. Here's what our pharmacists suggest keeping in.

For pain and fever: paracetamol and ibuprofen, plus children's liquid versions if you have young children. For stomach trouble: oral rehydration sachets, an antacid and loperamide. For first aid: plasters in a few sizes, sterile dressings, antiseptic cream and tweezers.

Coughs and colds are covered by a decongestant spray, throat lozenges and a simple cough syrup. Antihistamines earn their place too; they help with hay fever, mild allergic reactions and insect bites.

Go through the cabinet twice a year and bring anything expired back to the pharmacy. We dispose of old medicines safely; they should never go in the bin or down the sink. Keep everything out of children's reach in a cool, dry spot, which usually rules out the bathroom.

Not sure what your household needs? Ask us. And remember that under NHS Pharmacy First we can now assess and treat seven common conditions, including earache and sore throat, without a GP appointment.