WHEN you next get a sniffle and become fed up with reaching for the paper hankies don't call the doctor, just pop into the nearest chemist and ask the pharmacist what he or she recommends.

That's the advice of the Wiltshire Health Authority, which says many people do not realise that the chemist shop provides a first line of defence against minor ailments.

Highly qualified pharmacists can often recommend proprietary cures and medicines without the need to take up valuable GP time.

At Terry's chemists in the Little Brittox in Devizes, pharmacist Sue Rugg has been taking part in the Pharmacist First campaign which encourages people to take their minor ailments to the pharmacist for advice in the first instance.

Her husband Andy, who manages Terry's, said: "Doctors are so busy these days you might get an appointment for a couple of weeks time unless it's an emergency, whereas you can pop in and see your pharmacist any time.

"Come and see us first and nine times out of ten we can suggest something. If we think you ought to go to your doctor we will even phone the surgery for you and because they realise we are recommending that you see your doctor you can even get an earlier appointment under a fast track scheme."

Jill Loader, pharmaceutical adviser for the WHA, said more people should realise that pharmacists are a vital part of health care services. Many people who go to their chemists with prescriptions do not realise that the pharmacist who makes up their pills, powders and potions can give up to the minute advice on minor health issues without the need for a doctor's appointment.

Mrs Loader said: "Because of their extensive training, now a four year degree, pharmacists are experts on medicines and how they work. They can answer questions you have about choosing the right medicine and can help you decide if you really do need to see your doctor."

She emphasised that antibiotics are not effective in treating coughs and colds.

Besides studying for four years to gain their Master of Pharmacy degree, pharmacy students have to spend a further year working with a qualified pharmacist before taking their final exams.

Last year Mrs Loader and her team carried out the Pharmacy First pilot study using six GP practices and five pharmacies.

Results showed that almost 80 per cent of people were happy with the information and advice they received, and even more said they would go straight to the pharmacist next time they felt ill.

Dr Christopher Dunn, secretary of the local pharmaceutical committee which represents pharmacists in Wiltshire, said more potent medicines were now available from pharmacies which could only be obtained previously on a GP's prescription. He said: "The chances are that for most minor illnesses and injuries you can get appropriate medicines from your local pharmacy where you will be well looked after."