Public Health Pharmacy Flashcards

Under the NHS community pharmacy contractual framework in England, which public health service involves pharmacies providing advice and supplying nicotine replacement therapy without a prescription?

Answer: NHS Stop Smoking Service

The NHS Stop Smoking Service is a public health service commissioned through community pharmacies. Pharmacists can provide behavioural support and supply NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) products through a PGD or locally commissioned service without requiring a prescription. This is one of the key public health roles of community pharmacy.

A community pharmacist is providing the NHS seasonal influenza vaccination service. Which of the following patient groups is eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination?

Answer: Adults aged 65 and over

Adults aged 65 and over are routinely eligible for free NHS flu vaccination. Other eligible groups include those with chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease), pregnant women, carers, and frontline health/social care workers. Pharmacists can administer the vaccine under a national PGD or NHS service specification.

A young woman requests emergency hormonal contraception (EHC). She reports unprotected intercourse 48 hours ago. Which option should the pharmacist recommend as the most effective oral EHC at this time point?

Answer: Ulipristal acetate 30mg (effective up to 120 hours)

While both levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate are licensed for emergency contraception, ulipristal acetate (ellaOne) maintains its efficacy better over time and is considered more effective than levonorgestrel between 24-120 hours after unprotected intercourse. At 48 hours, ulipristal is the preferred oral option. A copper IUD would be even more effective if available.

What is the pharmacist's role in needle and syringe exchange programmes (NSP) as part of harm reduction for injecting drug users?

Answer: Provide clean needles/syringes, sharps bins, and advice on safer injecting practices to reduce blood-borne virus transmission

Needle and syringe programmes are evidence-based harm reduction interventions that significantly reduce transmission of blood-borne viruses (HIV, hepatitis B and C) among injecting drug users. Community pharmacies provide clean equipment, sharps disposal, and health advice without requiring engagement in treatment as a precondition.

A pharmacy is commissioned to provide NHS Health Checks. Which age group is the target population for this cardiovascular disease risk assessment programme?

Answer: Adults aged 40-74 without pre-existing cardiovascular disease

NHS Health Checks target adults aged 40-74 who do not already have a diagnosed cardiovascular condition (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease). The check assesses cardiovascular risk through measurements including blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, and lifestyle factors, with the aim of early intervention.

Under the public health agenda, what is the pharmacist's responsibility regarding antimicrobial stewardship?

Answer: Promote appropriate antibiotic use, advise patients on self-limiting infections, and support national campaigns to reduce antimicrobial resistance

Community pharmacists play a key role in antimicrobial stewardship by advising patients that many infections are self-limiting, recommending symptomatic relief, supporting the TARGET toolkit and Antibiotic Awareness campaigns, and ensuring appropriate antibiotic supply. This helps combat antimicrobial resistance, which the WHO identifies as a major global health threat.