NPA calls for participation in new HLP Pathfinder scheme

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has called for community pharmacies to participate in a Healthy Living Pharmacies (HLP) scheme developed by NHS Portsmouth.

A search has begun for viable sites to take part in the new HLP Pathfinder initiative, which will aim to demonstrate that the HLP framework can function and deliver benefits on a national scale.

As HLPs, pharmacies can assume a larger role in the health and wellbeing of their communities by offering an expanded range of services, including guidance on stopping smoking, alcohol use and sexual health.

The model is backed by the NPA and other national pharmacy sector regulators, with the aim being to create at least 100 more HLP sites by March 2012.

Deborah Evans, HLP project manager, said: "Becoming an HLP pathfinder is a great opportunity to play an important role in the collection of data and evidence and shape the potential future for community pharmacy."

This comes after the NPA stated last month that authorities in Wales should seek to utilise pharmacies in efforts to improve smoking cessation services in the nation.