Brits are ignoring the potential for getting health advice from supermarket pharmacies, as research shows just one in 10 have turned to their local pharmacy for advice and information on lowering their risk of serious health conditions.
The survey – commissioned by Tesco with its charity partners the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK – suggests many people could be missing out on opportunities to access free advice via their local pharmacies that could help them make life-changing improvements to their health.
Tesco said it had been working to deliver specialist training to Tesco pharmacists and pharmacy colleagues to support their conversations with the public and that they were an untapped source of help at a time when GPs were facing huge pressures.
The survey found that, of those who had visited a pharmacist for health-related advice or checks, 43% said talking to a pharmacist had eased their concerns around wasting their GP’s time.
Meanwhile, nearly a quarter (24%) of those who had visited a pharmacist for health-related advice or checks found it easier to speak to someone in a pharmacy than in other healthcare settings. More than half (53%) identified not having to book an appointment as a benefit of using a pharmacy for information and advice about a health-related concern.
More than 7.6 million people in the UK are living with heart and circulatory diseases, while 4.9 million are living with diabetes – 90% of which are cases of type 2 diabetes – while it is estimated that almost three million people are living with cancer. The charities said around four in 10 cases of cancer, many heart and circulatory diseases and up to five in 10 cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented or delayed.
“Our Tesco pharmacy colleagues can provide information, resources and support on ways to help reduce your risk of developing cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease,” said Tesco head of pharmacy Paul Pilkington. “They are available for a private and confidential chat in our pharmacy consultation room, something 15% of people said was a benefit of visiting a pharmacy for information and/or advice about a health-related concern.”
Diabetes UK head of care Dan Howarth said: “Far more people could be taking advantage of the advice and support available to them from their Tesco pharmacy whilst they do their weekly shop. This includes tips and information on stopping smoking and weight management services.”
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