Free cholesterol tests offered by Moss Pharmacy
Free cholesterol tests are being offered to “at risk” customers at around 150 Moss pharmacies in a new initiative designed to combat coronary heart disease (CHD). Advice on lifestyle and money-off vouchers
for the recently launched Zocor Heart-Pro (simvastatin 10mg) will also
be available.
As part of the initiative, customers wanting to have their cholesterol
level tested will be asked to complete a risk assessment form. Those
identified as being at risk for CHD will be offered a total cholesterol
test. Having completed the test, if the customer’s total cholesterol
level approaches or exceeds 5.0mmol/L they will then be invited to have
their high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level measured.
Chris Street, health and pharmacy adviser for Moss Pharmacy, said: “The
service is targeted primarily at those customers with a moderate (10–15
per cent) risk of a cardiac event in the next 10 years (although we are
using it to highlight the issues surrounding CHD to all our customers).
Our healthy heart assessment will determine the customers who are likely
to be at risk and these will be invited to participate in the full service
to determine their risk.
“The customers who are ‘at risk’ will then be counselled
on lifestyle choices; the possibility of using an OTC statin will be
discussed
if appropriate. GP referrals will be made in line with national guidelines
or locally agreed protocols.”
A letter will be sent to the customer’s GP explaining why they have been
referred.
Tricia Kennerley, superintendent pharmacist and NHS services director, commented: “We
hope to make our customers more aware of the risks involved with having a high
cholesterol level and educate them as to how they can lower their cholesterol
levels, thereby reducing their risk of developing CHD.” The company is
also undertaking research to find out how much the public knows about cholesterol-related
health issues. “This will help to determine which geographical areas require
more information and education,” added Ms Kennerley.
The initiative is part of Moss Pharmacy’s heart health campaign. |
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