The Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Scottish Department has issued a briefing
paper on the pharmacist’s role in improving public health.
The paper is the third in a series designed primarily for the use of members
of the United Kingdom and Scottish Parliaments. The first two briefings covered
health care in the high street and emergency hormonal contraception (PJ, April
22, p616).
The new briefing paper explains how pharmacists in their day-to-day practice
improve public health by providing appropriate information, advice and support
to a wide range of people on subjects ranging from contraceptive advice to medicines
and alternative treatments.
It points out that, as well as offering health protection and treatment, pharmacists
also play a vital role in directing patients to other appropriate health care
professionals.
The paper says that if community pharmacy was further integrated into the National
Health Service in Scotland it could make an even greater contribution to improving
public health.