Pharmacy ‘can play greater role in mental health’

A leading pharmacy sector organisation has called for greater responsibility in tackling mental health problems to be handed to community pharmacists.

Pharmacy Voice has responded to A Manifesto For Better Mental Health, a paper released last week by leading mental health organisations, by voicing concern that no mention has been given to the potential role that pharmacists can play.

It was noted that pharmacies are located in the heart of communities, with more than 1.2 million people visiting their local pharmacy for health-related reasons every day. This makes them well-placed to dispense basic advice and direct people to specialists or community mental health teams where necessary.

Moreover, they can help diagnosed patients to get the most from their medicines, manage adverse events and offer general health living advice.

Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice, said: "Our collective attitude to mental health problems is shifting and we must build on this momentum to ensure we maximise care for the vulnerable members of our society."

This comes after a Durham University study earlier this month revealed that 89 percent of the UK population has access to a community pharmacy within a 20-minute walk from their home.