UK to expand the role of pharmacies

The UK Department of Health has issued a White Paper which would pave the way for expanding the role of pharmacies in England. This extended role will see many more pharmacists being able to prescribe for and deal with minor ailments on the National Helath Service, as well as promoting good health, supporting those with long-term conditions and preventing illnesses through additional screening and advice.

Under the new proposals, pharmacies will, among other things: be able to prescribe certain common medicines and be the first port of call for minor ailments - saving every general practitioner around one hour a day; provide support for people with long-term conditions - like high blood pressure or asthma - 50% of whom may not take their medicines as intended; be able to screen for vascular disease and certain sexually-transmitted infections, such as chlamydia; and play a bigger role in vaccination.