4/11/2005

Local healthcare staff in West Gloucestershire will be targeting local shoppers and patients during the second week of November, encouraging people to 'Ask About their Medicines', as part of a major national campaign.

In support of the awareness week (November 7-11), which aims to help people understand medicines better, local health experts are setting up exhibitions and handing out advice leaflets and special bags to give people the chance to return unwanted medicines to their community pharmacist.

NHS staff will be at the following venues:

Lloyds Pharmacy, Bell Walk, Gloucester (Monday, 7th November)
Asda Pharmacy, Gloucester (Tuesday, 8th November)
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester (Wednesday, 9th November)
Co-op Supermarket, Lydney, (Thursday, 10th November)
Lloyds Pharmacy, Bell Walk, Gloucester (Friday, 11th November)

About 70% of us are taking medicines at any given time, but half of the medicines for long term conditions are not taken as prescribed. The local 'Ask about Medicines Week' campaign is aiming to:

. encourage patients and carers to ask questions about medicines, and to play an active role in decisions about different treatment options
. promote the availability of good information to enable patients and carers to make those decisions
. support health professionals in helping people make choices.

In a recent national survey for 'Ask About Medicines Week', only half the people who had been prescribed medicines said that they knew enough about other possible choices of treatment.

The campaign in West Gloucestershire will also encourage people to return unwanted or unused medicines so that they can be disposed of safely.

Local Gloucester GP, Dr Stephen Steinhardt said:

"For many reasons not all medicines are used and get put aside and forgotten. Medicines may not have been taken because they were considered unnecessary, or there were worries about taking them."

"We are encouraging people to return unwanted medicines to their community pharmacist and at the same time we also want to use this campaign to listen and respond to questions that members of the public may have about treatment options and use of their medicines."

Leaflets about 'Making the Most of Medicines' will be available from local pharmacies, GP surgeries, at the roadshow events and on the PCT's website at: www.westglospct.org.uk.

The Week includes other national and local events across the country.

Public enquiries concerning 'Ask About Medicines Week' can be referred to the PCT's Medicines Management Team on 01452 389418.

More information about 'Ask About Medicines Week' can be found at: www.askaboutmedicines.org.


PCT Chief Executive to open Pharmacy

West Gloucestershire PCT, Chief Executive, Mr Stephen Golledge is to officially open the newly relocated Lloyds Pharmacy in Bell Walk, Gloucester on Monday 7th November, 12 noon.