The Way Ahead For Chlamydia Screening, UK

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 28 Jul 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The report (BBC 24 July 2008) that the national chlamydia screening programme has only reached a third of the people it should have is frustrating news for community pharmacists - who are able and willing to contribute to improving sexual healthcare and who can provide a particularly convenient point of access.

Pharmacies have long provided sexual healthcare. The recently published White Paper - Pharmacy in England - shows that the Department of Health intends to make chlamydia screening more widely available by making better use of community pharmacy and has said that they will ask Strategic Health Authorities to ensure that pharmacies are included in local schemes.

John Turk, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association, the trade association for community pharmacy owners, said: "Community pharmacy is uniquely placed to provide chlamydia screening - and many other services besides - because pharmacies are particularly accessible and convenient. 79% of people in Great Britain have a community pharmacy within two thirds of a mile of their home and 47% have one within 500 metres. Often open long hours they could be described as the original 'walk-in centres'. Now that many have consultation areas where you can have a confidential discussion with your pharmacist I believe that people will be much better served in future and find community pharmacy their preferred option for chlamydia screening."

National Pharmacy Association

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