Disorders of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Patients with symptoms of pain and discomfort in the upper gastrointestinal tract account for a high proportion of requests for advice on self-medication in the community pharmacy. About 10% of the population suffer symptoms every week. In fact, most people suffer at one time or another from minor stomach complaints such as heartburn or indigestion, and the community pharmacy is the convenient first port of call for patients wanting relief. Even patients who have been, or are currently being, treated by a doctor often ask the community pharmacist for advice about relief of breakthrough, persistent or recurring symptoms. It is important that the medicine counter assistant should refer the patient to the pharmacist and that the pharmacist refers the patient back to their GP if appropriate. The community pharmacist is well-equipped to provide patients with information about conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, and advice on how to alleviate and prevent symptoms. The pharmacy stocks a wide range of medicines to suit the needs of each patient. These include H2 antagonists previously only available on prescription, which have been available for sale in pharmacies since 1994. Domperidone maleate is also available as a pharmacy-only medicine for the treatment of motility disorders.