NPA and Alcohol Concern to provide free training session

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is allying with charity group Alcohol Concern to hold a free training session on how to engage customers in conversations about safe alcohol use.

To be held on October 18th 2013, the teleconference will take place ahead of Alcohol Awareness Week in November and will be open to all NPA members, highlighting the importance of identification and brief advice in promoting safe drinking.

This recognises the role that community pharmacists can play in identifying existing or potential alcohol abuse problems, as well as their ability to open conversations about behaviour change if necessary.

Stephen Fishwick, head of communications at the NPA, said: "The evidence base for this is building gradually. We're sure that there will be plenty of interest in this event and the other strands of our joint work with Alcohol Concern."

Alcohol Awareness Week will run from November 18th to 24th and will see Alcohol Concern launch its Dry January 2014 campaign, which aims to encourage people to go alcohol-free for a month.

The theme of this year's event is prompting conversations about alcohol usage and its associated health risks and problems.