Pharmacy Public Health Improvement

Approximately 1 in 8 men and 1 in 24 women have some degree of alcohol dependence. Excess drinking puts long term health at significant risk. Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of a range of illnesses that collectively contribute to a massive impact on morbidity and mortality.  Please see Alcohol Consumption Questions and the Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST) 

For more information visit

• Drinkaware A Charity promoting responsible drinking.
• Alcohol Focus Scotland – is the national charity working to reduce alcohol harm.
• DrinkSmarter  A Scottish Government practical website with many handy tools, supporting healthier drinking habits. 
• Glasgow Council on Alcohol (GCA) Providing support, counselling, advice, information, group work and training for those affected by alcohol misuse. 
• Alcohol Concern   A charity campaigning for effective alcohol policy and improved services for people whose lives are affected by alcohol-related problems. 
• Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking, regardless of whether that person is still drinking or not.

 Key points for community pharmacy

• Offer advice on sensible drinking
• Give advice on prescription and Over the Counter (OTC) medicines about interactions with alcohol.
• Signpost patients to local services offering support
• Further Information, Resources and Support (including “Alcohol Before, During and After Leaflet) Alcohol and Pregnancy Leaflet 

Some pharmacies may

• Offer alcohol brief interventions using a FAST tool

It is estimated that 1 in 3 people in Scotland will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.

This is a wide ranging topic and there are many different types of cancer. Some are more likely to occur in females e.g. cervical and breast cancer while others in men e.g. prostate cancer.

Many forms of cancer can now be successfully treated if they are identified in their early stages and we now have screening for the commonly occurring breast, bowel and cervical cancers.

Some cancers such as melanoma (skin cancer) may be prevented by health protection measures such as avoiding the sun and using sunscreens. Smoking cessation remains one of the most important health improvement measures to avoid developing cancer.

For more information visit

• Scottish Cancer Index provides links to cancer related websites specific to Scotland.  
• Cancer Research UK  Helpline 0808 800 4040  Mon – Fri 9-5pm
• Bowel cancer UK providing support and advice. Telephone: 020 7940 1760
•  Encourage completion and return of Bowel Screening Kits information at this website
• Breast Cancer Care providing information and assistance for those affected by breast cancer. Freephone Helpline 0808 800 6000.  
• Cancer Support Scotland  Cancer Support Scotland offers counselling, support groups and complementary therapies to anyone affected by cancer, including family members and carers: before, during and after treatment.
• Sun Smart   This Cancer Research UK website provides a wealth of information including, information on skin cancer, sunburn and how it damages your skin, advice on protective measures to take – applying sunscreen, staying in the shade, wearing protective clothing and sunglasses, and advice on protecting children from the sun.    
• British Lung Foundation provides advice on all diseases affecting the lungs including lung cancer. 
• Leukaemia Care provides support for people with leukaemia, lymphomas and related disorders. Tel: Helpline: 08088 010 444 or chat via WhatsApp on 07500068065
• Lymphoma Action provides support for those affected by Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Tel. Helpline no: 0808 808 5555
• Macmillan Cancer Support is a national charity providing expert care and support for people living with cancer. Tel. Helpline: 0808 808 0000
• Maggies Centre provides support organisation for those affected by cancer. One of the centres is in Glasgow.   
• Marie Curie Cancer Care. Dedicated to the cure of people affected by cancer and the enhancement of their quality of life through its caring services, research and education.  Telephone Support Line: 0800 090 2309
• Oesophageal Patients Association Telephone: 0121 704 9860 (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm)
• Orchid: Fighting Male Cancer  Good range of leaflets on testicular and prostate cancer.  National male cancer helpline: 0808 802 0010
• Prostate Cancer UK Telephone:  Helpline: 0800 0748383 

 Key points for community pharmacy

• Signpost patients to appropriate support organisations.
• Many quality, free resources can be ordered to support from Quick Guide for Community Pharmacies on where to access Patient Resources 
• Be alert to red flag symptoms such as a persistent cough which might suggest a patient should be referred to their GP for investigation.
• Encourage patient’s participation in national screening programmes e.g. cervical screening whenever possible.
• Only sell a minimum of SPF 15 sun protection products. 

Many factors go together to improve an individual’s health. Their health needs change through life as they get older and different issues might impact on men’s and women’s health. However, a healthy lifestyle is important at any stage of an individual’s life.

Diet and nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation and managing alcohol intake are modifiable lifestyle factors that can be addressed to improve health.

Other factors may not be readily addressed by individuals but rely upon society working together to promote healthy living and working environments.

Health inequalities arise when individuals or communities are not empowered to make healthy lifestyle choices.

For more information visit

 Child Health

• Breast Feeding Network  Offers advice and support to breastfeeding mothers
• Immunisation

 Health in older age

• Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Connect support line T: 0333 150 3456
• Carers UK or Carers Scotland (part of Carers UK)
• Parkinson’s UK or telephone 0808 800 0303
• Age UK  

 Healthy Living 

• BMI calculator a useful tool to calculate body mass index
• Scottish Slimmers and WeightWatchers  Both offer successful programmes for weight loss.
• Alcohol and Drugs – NHSGGC
• Stop Smoking Support – Quit your way – NHSGGC

Community Pharmacy – Signpost patients to appropriate support organisations.

Beware of your patients particular needs. Check out your locality’s health profile.

The effective management of long term health conditions (LTHC) can greatly improve a patient’s health and wellbeing. Examples of these conditions include epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, diabetes asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In addition to taking appropriate medication LTHC patients are often asked to make lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation or alcohol reduction. But at the same time they may be struggling with psychological issues caused by the impact of their diagnosis.

So in addition to understanding the clinical management of patients and the guidelines that are in place for these it is important to consider the patient as a whole and understand their attitudes to their condition and its management.  

For more information visit

• The British Heart Foundation  
• British Hypertension Society    
• Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland
• Stroke Association  
• Epilepsy Scotland
• Diabetes UK
• Thyroid UK
• Asthma UK
• British Lung Foundation

Key points for community pharmacy

• Signpost patients to appropriate support organisations.
• Know when to call for medical assistance in the event of a heart attack and how to deliver basic resuscitation (CPR) for patients who have collapsed. Details of suitable courses may be found at St Andrews Ambulance Brigade
• Advise on use of inhaler devices for asthma and COPD patients

 Some pharmacies may

• Offer health screening such as blood pressure or glucose monitoring

Mental health is a complex topic affecting a significant percentage of people in the UK at any one time. Issues might include depression (including postnatal depression) bipolar affective disorders, stress, anxiety disorders, phobias, eating disorders, schizophrenia and others. Some individuals may suffer from a combination of symptoms.

The management of patients suffering mental health problems may range from self help approaches to in patient care at a psychiatric specialist hospital or facility.

Regardless of how patients are managed, good mental health is underpinned by a healthy lifestyle. Good diet, smoking cessation, exercise, sleep hygeine and alcohol management will not necessarily cure a patient but they will significantly contribute to their recovery.

For more information visit

• Heads Up – Mental Health Support – NHSGGC For extensive information on mental health care available in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.   
• NHS24 Tel 111. Can provide or source help for a patient in crisis when their GP is not available
• Breathing Space Scotland Tel: 0800 83 85 87. Free, confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
• Mind Tel 0300 123 3393. Mental Health Charity aimed to ensure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn to for advice and support, and offer useful leaflets and publications.
• Samaritans Provide confidential emotional support 24/7 to those experiencing despair, distress or suicidal feelings.

Key points for community pharmacy

• Signpost patients to appropriate support organisations
• Support patients on long term medication such as lithium by ensuring they undergo appropriate blood monitoring.
• Provide appropriate relaxation and sleep hygiene advice (click on links below)o    Help with Sleep – Information for Carerso    Relaxation  Guideo    Sleep Guide

This service is provided by a network of 70 pharmacies across the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde area. These pharmacies maintain

• a stock of specific core medicines
• provision of advice and useful contact numbers for specialist palliative care advice
• a support network to other pharmacies within their localities. 

Some participating pharmacies are available to dispense out-of-hours urgent prescriptions. This can be arranged through NHS 24. A courier service protocol is available to ensure timely supplies of medicines to palliative care patients in emergencies. The aim is for the first pharmacy contacted (regardless of being a part of the Palliative Care network or not) to ascertain the urgency of the prescription and resolve any supply issues, in order to avoid patients, carers, or nurses needing to phone or visit multiple pharmacies. All community pharmacies are provided with a list of the network pharmacies for this purpose and the specific core medicines list. For more details on the Palliative Care Service, click here  or contact: Palliative Care Specialist Pharmacists on the below telephone numbers: 07876 478140 or 07880 786659 or 07775 012560

NHSGGC are responsible for a wide range of tobacco projects including the “Quit Your Way” Pharmacy Service.

Suitable pharmacotherapy (Nicotine Replacement Therapy [NRT] or varenicline) together with personalised advice and support is provided from the community pharmacy for usually up to 12 weeks.

For further details, please contact any participating pharmacy or the Quit Your Way Pharmacy Team (T:0141 201 4945 or e: pharmacyhit@ggc.scot.nhs.uk)

• List of Pharmacies involved in Quit Your Way.
• Guidance Notes for Service Delivery.
• Quit Your Way Questions & Answers (for Community Pharmacy)

View and order resources