Parliamentary skin group calls for pharmacists’ views on services
Patients with acne may seek advice from pharmacists |
The All
Party Parliamentary Group on Skin has launched an inquiry into the current state of dermatology services and is calling for pharmacists’ views.
The group wants to identify where diagnosis, treatment and long-term
management of skin disease is taking place.
Christine Clark, a pharmacist and member of the APPG on Skin, said it
is important that pharmacists share their experiences. “Pharmacists
have to diagnose a lot of skin conditions and help people manage them
effectively,” she said. This could sometimes cause concern among
dermatologists, who may believe that diagnosis should be reserved for
specialists. “We’re seeing different ends of the same problem
and we need to reconcile,” she added.
Dr Clark believes that anxieties about diagnosis are understandable but
said: “We know that experienced community pharmacists are extremely
good at picking up warning signs for skin conditions where there is cause
for concern.”
She called on pharmacists to respond to the inquiry and to consider factors
such as who should take responsibility for diagnosis, where treatment
should take place, how self-management can be promoted and how pharmacists
see their role developing in this area, including the need for training.
Guidance on making a submission to the inquiry, which closes on 1 October,
is available from Jessica David of the APPG on Skin secretariat (tel
020 7591 4833). |
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