Pharmacists to be recruited to new study tackling alcohol misuse
Alcohol consumption can be reduced through advice, screening and
referral |
Pharmacists in Glasgow are to be recruited to a new study that will examine how feasible it is for community pharmacists to provide structured interventions to people who drink too much alcohol.
The interventions will include advice, screening and referral. This has
been shown to reduce alcohol consumption but has not yet been tested
in a pharmacy setting.
The study, which is being funded by the Alcohol Education and Research Council, is being led by Niamh Fitzgerald, Derek Stewart and Dorothy
McCaig at the Robert Gordon University school of pharmacy, Aberdeen.
“Having spent some time working with the addiction team at Greater
Glasgow NHS Board, I realised that while pharmacists were already active
and
well known for their roles in relation to smoking cessation and methadone
provision, as a profession, we weren’t very active in addressing
alcohol misuse,” said Dr Fitzgerald. “We are not aware of
any other project of this kind in the UK and, given the extent of excessive
alcohol consumption in Scotland, we believe it offers a valuable opportunity
for pharmacists to do their part in tackling the issue.”
Dr Fitzgerald explained that the study will provide practical information
on how best to deliver interventions and what training is needed for
pharmacists and staff. “It is also hoped that this project will
raise awareness of alcohol issues among the community pharmacists involved,
and perhaps stimulate others to think about their role in relation to
alcohol misuse.” Pharmacists will be recruited to the study in
February and March. Results are expected at the end of the year. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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