The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7224 p705
16 November 2002

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Angus Local Health Care Co-operative (more)

Angus LHCC newsletter promotes local pharmacy

Angus Local Health Care Co-operative in Tayside has produced a newsletter to promote pharmacy services to the public in its area. Almost 100,000 copies have been sent out for distribution.

The newsletter carries articles about treating headlice, asthma, palliative care and the Direct Care at the Chemist pilot scheme for providing non-prescription medicines to patients who are exempt from prescription charges. The work and training of pharmacists is covered in a series of "Did you know?" fact panels.

The LHCC has distributed 65,000 copies of the newsletter to local pharmacies, hospitals, GP surgeries and libraries. A further 30,000 copies have been sent directly to residential addresses. A questionnaire to evaluate the newsletter is included in 10 per cent of the distribution.

David Gill, lead pharmacist for Angus LHCC, told The Journal that the newsletter had been designed as a one-off but as the initial feedback had been positive it might be repeated once or twice a year. Neighbouring LHCCs have also expressed an interest in printing their own versions. Funding for the newsletter has come from national prescribing scheme monies, the pharmaceutical care scheme (to fund the evaluation) and the Direct Care at the Chemist scheme. Mr Gill described the newsletter as team effort to which many pharmacists had contributed.