World Aids Day
Monday, 1st December 2008
Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland Urge Chief Medical Officer to Make Best Use of Pharmacy Workforce in Tackling HIV
Expressing concern at figures published today by the Chief Medical Officer showing a sharp rise in the diagnosis of new cases of HIV in Northern Ireland, the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland is urging the Department of Health to ensure the skills of Northern Ireland's pharmacists are fully utilised in efforts to improve sexual health promotion.
Society President Raymond Anderson said:
"Pharmacists are trusted health professionals, located in the heart of their communities, and available to see without an appointment. They are therefore ideally placed to spearhead increased efforts to improve sexual health promotion in Northern Ireland.
With the return of devolution now is the time to start thinking about how we can use pharmacists differently here to meet our particular local needs. We look forward to working with the Chief Medical Officer on these issues and will be preparing a fuller response to him shortly on the opportunities available to put this worrying rise in HIV diagnosis into reverse."
Ends
For further information please contact Mark Neale, Head of Public Affairs at the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, on 02890 267 932 or 07854 004 884
Notes to Editors
1. The Chief Medical Officer this morning issued a statement of concern at a 16% rise in HIV diagnosis between 2006 and 2007 in Northern Ireland
2. Sexual Health services that can be provided through pharmacies include:
a. Supply of contraception;
b. Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC);
c. Chlamydia testing;
d. pregnancy testing; and
e. general information on sexually transmitted infections
3. A Department sponsored-scheme in Northern Ireland called the "Building the Community Pharmacy Partnership" has pioneered new ways of using pharmacist skills to educate members of the public on a diverse range of health schemes including sexual health. The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland can see strong merit in enhancing the sexual health elements of the Partnership programme in order