Community pharmacy invites 'pop ins' this Men's Health Week
Men’s Health Week runs 9–15 June, and to highlight the important role community pharmacy plays in supporting men’s health, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (the Guild) is calling on patients to “pop in for a chat”. “We know community pharmacists are skilled health practitioners operating in the most accessible frontline healthcare destination,” National the Guild President Professor Trent Twomey said.
“Community pharmacy is changing — across the country pharmacists are going back to the classroom to learn new skills and put it into practice for the benefit of patients across Australia,” Community pharmacist and founder of Men’s Health Downunder, Brad Butt, has specialised in men’s health, specifically urological health.
“Men are less likely to visit a GP and often delay their treatment,” Butt said. “We need to make it as easy as possible for men to access care — and community pharmacy can play a key role in that. On average, people visit a community pharmacy every three weeks.
“That means we are in a privileged position where we are able to have private conversations with patients to check in on their progress and identify where additional support may be helpful,” Butt added. “All men should know that there is support out there for sensitive or ‘embarrassing’ issues — they are not alone. It all starts with a conversation.”
A key focus of Butt’s work has been providing education and resources to other community pharmacies, those in rural and remote areas particularly. “Men should be able to access treatment and care wherever they live. Too often recovery from significant urological surgeries is left to chance — but we know that with the right care we can optimise outcomes for patients.”
Echoing Butt’s sentiment, Twomey said: “The ability to have discreet conversations at community pharmacy about medication, devices, continence support, erectile function and testosterone management can help men access the care, support and treatment they deserve.”
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