Pharmacists need to advise public about allergies
Treatments such as Epipens are often needed in stressful circumstances
so patients have to know how to use them |
Pharmacists can play a crucial role in providing the public with high-quality
information about allergies, a Department of Health review of allergy
services has concluded (PDF 540K).
The review highlights the role community pharmacists can play in providing
advice on allergy symptoms, especially for respiratory problems, skin
conditions, eye and ear problems and childhood conditions, such as nappy
rash and viral rash. It also considers expanded roles for pharmacists
with special interests in allergy, although it makes no specific recommendations
about this.
The National Allergy Advisory Group, which conducted the study, concludes
that national, rather than local, levers will change allergy services
in the future. “In the light of local priorities, local health
commissioners will need to consider … how to include: patient choice
in allergy; high quality information about allergy for the public; increased
investment in the expert patient programme as it relates to allergy;
and practice-based commissioning for services for allergy,” the
report says.
Ursula Collignon, senior pharmacist, emergency medicine at Guy’s
and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and UKCPA representative on
the review team, commented: “Pharmacists are often the first point
of contact for patients with allergies. They are accessible and well
placed to help patients manage common allergy symptoms.”
She pointed out that pharmacists can identify more severe symptoms and
ensure patients are referred appropriately. In addition, recording allergy
status within patient medication records ensures pharmacists clarify
a patient’s allergy to medicines and medically related products
before dispensing.
Pharmacists can also provide patients with advice and support on how
and when to use medicines, such as Epipens, she added. “Pharmacists
should ensure that patients, carers and other health care staff are familiar
with these products especially as they are likely to be used in stressful
circumstances,” she said.
Ms Collingnon also said that, because allergic reactions to medicines
or medical products are often under-recognised, pharmacists need to be
alert to these, for instance by ensuring that latex-free vials are available
and that patients with nut allergies are not given products which contain
arachis oil. |
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