Sexually Transmitted Diseases Report Updated, UK

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 11 Apr 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) has published its updated 1997 Report of the Working Party on the prevention of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C and sexually transmitted diseases - a document which examines the place of pharmacists in the fight against these illnesses1.

Ten years after the original report, the recommendations have been reviewed by members of the RPSGB/National Treatment Agency (NTA) Substance Misuse Working Group. This updated version, available on the RPSGB's website, applies equally to pharmacists and registered pharmacy technicians and contains additional recommendations relating to the role of pharmacy staff in public health and the provision of sexual health services.

Sadia Khan, the RPSGB's Lead Pharmacist for Self-Care, said:

"The recommendations in the 1997 report have been brought up-to-date and take into account the responsibilities of both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Sexually transmitted diseases are a major public health issue - the treatment and advice customers receive at their community pharmacy plays an important role in the management of these conditions and the quality of their lives."

In addition to the updated report, the RPSGB/NTA Memorandum of Understanding is available to download from the RPSGB's website, http://www.rpsgb.org.

Notes

The original 1997 Report of the Working Party on the prevention of HIV / AIDS, hepatitis B and C and sexually transmitted diseases was published in The Pharmaceutical Journal 2007: 258: 13-16 (January 4)

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain