Pharmacists Play Important Part In Stroke Services

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Stroke / Neuroprotection
Article Date: 15 May 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The English Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain welcomes the government's emphasis on stroke treatment, as outlined in the recent announcement by the Department of Health to boost funding for stroke services.

The number of patients receiving anticoagulation therapy has increased over the last years.

Warfarin, which is used to prevent and treat the formation of harmful blood clots within the body by thinning the blood and/or dissolving clots, plays an important part in part in stroke treatment. Pharmacist management of anticoagulation is routinely offered in many hospital departments and increasingly being carried out by community pharmacists.

Paul Bennett, Chair of the English Pharmacy Board, said: "The government announcement to increase funding for stroke services will improve the support available for stroke survivors and their carers. Specialist pharmacist involvement and pharmacy-run anticoagulant clinics can effectively resolve many of the complex issues in anticoagulant therapy."

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain