A study of the potential role of the community pharmacist in health promotion

Abstract

This thesis explores the role of the Community Pharmacist " the Chemist" in health promotion programmes. Both pharmacy and Health Education are in dynamic situations and this study examines their potential interface. The hypotheses are that Pharmacists are competent to offer health promotion advice and screening procedures, and that the public readily accepts these services. Pharmacy practice has changed considerably and Pharmacists have become relatively "de-skilled" in the traditional role of dispensing and compounding medicines. The Pharmaceutical Society urges them to change their practice and to come “out front" to offer advice on the effective and safe use of medicines, and the public have been encouraged to seek such advice in a campaign mounted by the National Pharmaceutical Association. This thesis explores the ways in which this role may be extended to health promotion...