Hannawin's Medical Hall was the first port of call for a highly distressed sister of mine. Her skin…read morehas been causing her a few issues, bless her, so she wanted to pop into a pharmacy to see if they could recommend anything for her. When we approached the first sales assistant (at the prescriptions section), she was anything but helpful, and directed us to the skincare aisle, where we'd just spent the last five minutes looking. Asking my sister what she'd had in mind, to which the reply came "anything", the sales assistant scoured the shelves and finally gave up, handing us over to another sales assistant. I was starting to wonder if this was a good idea after all... Well, it seemed it was. The second sales assistant, a younger, friendlier girl, was far more affable and helpful, asking questions about my sister's skin, giving her hints and tips, as well as recommending certain products. Ah, that was more like it. Unfortunately, Hannawin's didn't actually stock the acclaimed products (whoopsies), but Miss Cheerful sales assistant wasn't fazed. She simply referred us to another pharmacy, smiling all the while. Lovely jubbly. Extra star just for you lady. Hanna (whoever she may be) may have won with this super sales assistant, but more importantly, Lynne and sister also did. Not bad.

A handy chemist in city centre. Avoid the big prescriptions queue in Boots with this smaller,…read morepersonal service. The pharmacist is pretty friendly and offers lots of over the counter advice for minor ailments. For a small shop it's well stocked with lots of both sex toiletries, makeup and domestic products. There are always v good deals on things like toothpaste, facewipes and deodorants. Good selection of health brands like linwoods, biona, PhD and maximuscle. Protein bars like PhD, Quest and ON are from £1.49. Yankee candles also available. General chemist staff as helpful and friendly.

No it's not the predominant health care provider in the US but in fact a large chain of chemists…read moreand pharmacies across the north. This store does the usual plethora of over the counter products along with a full prescription pharmacy. I only noticed after walking around the city looking for the best place to buy whey protein. The time when muscle building was a prerogative has been and gone but back then it seemed fitting. Holland and Barrett was often the haunt of many looking to stock up on huge great tubs of the awfully flavoured nonsense, but prices here rivalled. £18 for a large tub of whey, banana flavoured. Loverly.

Even when I was younger I was a cynical one, frequently commenting on why a small place like…read moreSaintfield has 2 different pharmacies, and unfortunately this view has remained with me to this day. I am convinced that the only reason that this place continues to survive is because of the attached Post Office. Old people are the main pharmacy users, much like post offices, so the two combine into one substantial customer base. The post office in here is bog standard, with the usual blend of stationary items and surly service. The ladies in here are always really unhelpful for some reason, I don't know if its age-ism or if there is something about my face that annoys them, though that would be understandable! The rest of the chemist has your usual hygiene and healthcare products, but a more limited selection, higher prices and less special offers than the Gordon's chemist up the street. I got speaking to the pharmacist here one day and he was very nice indeed, but otherwise nothing else about the place is good except its proximity to the post office!

Superdrug is a really chemist popular chain store that sell a really wide range of personal care…read moreproducts. They have been opened in Northern ireland since 1991. They have a no animal testing charter, which is something that's really commendable these days. As a laydee I have reason to pop in to pick up all manner of hair and beauty products. I think this store are really good for finding bargains on things like shampoo and make-up ranges. I'm definitely a fan of this store as they offer a much cheaper alternative to boots.

Superdrug is undoubtedly the best UK high street health and beauty retailer. Their products are…read moreexceptionally excellent in quality and economically priced. Additionally all their own brand items carry the leaping bunny symbol indicating clearly they are certified by Cruelty Free International. I visit Superdrug frequently to pick up their exclusive range of 'B' makeup which is vegan. It's an amazing cosmetics range and outstanding quality with the B makeup Primer being the best I've ever tried. The lipsticks and nail polishes come in a vast array of colours too and the eyeshadows are beautiful to use. All Superdrug own brand products are clearly labelled, highlighting if they are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. In particular the Vitamin E skincare, sun care and dry skin ranges are awesome. An ethical super store!

The second of two chemists in Dromore (on exactly the same street, practically opposite each…read moreother), Johnston's could not be more different from its neighbour. In a good way. Light, airy and spacious, Johnston's is on a par with the bigger chain stores, and all three of these factors definitely make for a much more enjoyable shopping experience. I could have run round the chemist freely, unafraid of bumping into a hair accessories stand, or a random bundle of nappies (which I didn't, just in case you're wondering). The staff exuded cheerfulness, but in a very professional way, and even the baby in the buggy in front of me appreciated the staff, shouting "bye, bye lady" over and over again to the pharmacist. Bless him. When I came to pay, I was met with a polite smile, and an hello, which was really lovely. Johnston's isn't a particularly expensive either, despite having the look of a more up market chemist chain. Buying your toiletries in here certainly won't break the bank, and I even noticed a basket of Sure deodorants for £1.25...just one of the many decent prices. Yes, a rather pleasing choice of pharmacy indeed.

This is a little pharmacy within an estate community, the staff are a very pleasant and happy to…read morehelp you with anything you need. The pharmastist is happy to help you,to advise if its something they can help with via over the counter medicine or if you need to see a doctor. All in all a great family pharmacy.

Normally when I think of Boots I think of perfume, make-up and a chemist but the range of products…read moreand services boots offers has been growing at a phenomenal rate. It now offers photo development and even an opticians. It is becoming a one stop shop for everything. What I like about Boots is that it stocks major brands so you can be assured that what you are buying is the real deal in comparison to the likes of semi-chem. I recently called into the Boots in Castlecourt as I had really bad toothache and was going to pick up some gel for it. I went to the counter to pay when the girl advised me of a product they had that would work much better and was pretty much the same price. I bough the recommended gel and it worked wonders and I've recommended it to my friends. Purely because of the excellent customer service and advice I'd come back to this Boots of I had any ailments that could be sorted with over the counter drugs.

As a female, this Boot's store is great for make-up, hair products, make up brushes and other…read morerandom things that us girls have to fork out for for general upkeep! It really does offer excellent choice and stocks cool (but well overpriced) make-up brands like Urban Decay and Benefit- swooon! I also get my foundation in here which is Revlon Colurstay and works out about a tenner cheaper than when I buy it down south! Crazy! This particular one isn't stocked by many places, so I was delighted to find it in here. The make-up ranges are great and they also have every hair care prouduct you can think of. The John Frida Brilliant Brunette hair serum is only £6 and works wonders. Really recommended. Randomly they also offer a range of lunch sandwiches and pasta dishes for people popping in on their break. On the pharmacy end of things the staff are knowledgeable, helpful and polite. A great store, which has been recently refurbished, in a great location. Only thing is you're going to come out with empty pockets!

Medicare (Fiztroy) lower Ormeau Road is a prescribing pharmacist located right next door to Ormeau…read moreHealth Centre. Hence it's convenient for picking up prescriptions, however it can be extremely busy so be prepared for a wait on occasion. It's a very good Pharmacist and worth a visit to get advice and medicine for minor ailments before heading to your Doctor. Sells a range of cosmetics, perfume and beauty products as well.

With competition from veteran chains like Boots, Superdrug or Semi-Chem many have marvelled over…read morethe success of Medicare chemists. However, I have not. My first experience of the chain was within Queen's Student Union where I would gleefully walk in with a full student loan and come out brandishing goods from perfume, tweezers and face packs. I found it difficult to control my purchasing needs when I entered this store as everything was really cheap and scented beautifully. However, I have mastered the art of spending wisely which helps as my nearest store is located on the Ormeau Road just a few minutes from my house. This particular Medicare has much more to offer than the smaller unit in Queen's Student Union as it has a full pharmacy counter to deal with all illnesses and drug prescriptions. Yet, because of its greater range and pharmacy counter this store can be particularly busy so do expect a queue. Same goes if you're planning to purchase something you don't want others to see...could be embarrassing when most residents of the Ormeau Road can see what's in your shopping basket.

Small but useful branch of Boots in the shopping mall near the bus station. I went there a couple…read moreof times the other day. There's a good range of toiletries and beauty products, a pharmacy and medicines of course, confectionery and drinks, baby products and much more. I was served by Paul on one occasion and Aofie on another and found them, and another member of staff (whose name I don't know), very helpful.