The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's public relations campaign on men's health (PJ, February 26, p327) has attracted considerable interest from the national and regional news media. In terms of media coverage, it has been one of the most successful in the series of campaigns held at regular intervals since June, 1997.
On February 29, the campaign was given national television coverage by BBC1's BBC Breakfast News, which carried an interview with the Society's head of professional and scientific support, Mr Roger Odd. On national radio, Mr Odd was interviewed by BBC Radio 4's You and Yours, Independent Radio News and Radio 5 Live. A report was also carried by Radio One's Newsbeat.
Regional radio coverage included interviews with Mr Odd on BBC Scotland and with Mr Peter Jenkins (the Society's regional communications officer for Wales) on BBC Wales. Coverage on a dozen other regional radio stations included interviews with regional communications officer Jeremy Clitherow on Radio Merseyside, branch public relations officer Gaz Clapinski on BBC Radio Stoke and local pharmacist Simon Lawson on BBC Radio Lincolnshire. The Society's chief scientist (Professor Tony Moffat) was interviewed on LBC.
Two national newspapers, the Independent and the Guardian, carried substantial reports on February 29. The Mirror had broken an embargo on the story and published a report on February 26.
Regional newspapers carrying the story included the Birmingham Post and the Lancaster Guardian. The campaign was also covered on BBC and Press Association websites.
Meridien TV is to interview Mr Odd about the Society's findings as part of its contribution to ITV's forthcoming health week.