The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7227 p801
7 December 2002

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Barnet pharmacists advise on effects of diet and medicines on osteoporosis

Pharmacists working for Barnet Primary Care Trust gave information to the public on osteoporosis and the effects of diet and medicines during a recent Diwali event at Alexandra Palace, north London.

Samixa Shah, practice support pharmacist, Barnet, told The Journal that the PCT had been invited to have a stall at the event only a few days before it started. The stall, which was part of the health care zone, was manned by the PCT's two practice support pharmacists and a specialist osteoporosis nurse.

The event, run by the Hindu Youth Organisation and attended by around 10,000 people, had been a good opportunity to talk to elderly Indian women, Ms Shah said. Information sheets about the amounts of calcium and vitamin D in different foods, geared towards a vegetarian diet, were distributed and visitors to the stand were given advice on osteoporosis, the menopause and the role of pharmacists in medicines management. A prize quiz about osteoporosis was run and colouring books and crayons were given to children so that their parents could spend time talking to a pharmacist or the nurse.

Ms Shah said: "Our recommendations to others embarking on similar projects would be to find out in advance exactly what space is available for the display, what else will be present in the same area and whether the organisers have any particular issues they want addressed. It is a good idea for pharmacists to have links with local community groups so that they are aware of forthcoming events and are able to promote pharmacy or other health care areas at these."