Community Pharmacy Can Deliver Vascular Risk Assessment

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 01 Apr 2008 - 14:00 PDT

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Commenting on the Department of Health's announcement on the new national vascular risk screening programme, Sue Sharpe, CEO, PSNC said:

"We are very pleased that the government is committed to developing community pharmacy's role in tackling vascular disease.

Pharmacies can play an important role in reducing the impact of vascular disease, by looking at risk factors, and advising on the measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of development of the condition.

We can use the network of pharmacies and their easy accessibility to provide this support to people in locations and at times that are convenient to them."

PSNC identified vascular risk screening as a target service for community pharmacy provision two years ago and has been lobbying the Department of Health and other key influencers to ensure inclusion of pharmacy within government plans. A draft Enhanced service specification has been developed and was submitted to the Department of Health for consideration last year.

Notes

1. The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) is the body that represents community pharmacy on NHS matters and seeks to secure the best possible NHS services provided by pharmacy contractors in England and Wales.

Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee