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Expert pharmacists get the go ahead
 

Pharmacists with Special Interests (PhwSIs) are to offer care and advice about diabetes, and long-term conditions on patients doorsteps

Patients with long-term conditions will soon be able to manage their diabetes or heart disease when they pop to the shops thanks to a new breed of 'expert pharmacists'

Working principally in the community, experienced pharmacists will now be given the option to become 'experts' in long-term conditions like Parkinson's Disease, skin disorders or by managing medicines like anticoagulation drugs, which help prevent strokes and heart disease.

Pharmacists will have to undergo extra competency based training beyond their core professional role, and become accredited, in order to demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills before becoming a 'Pharmacist with a Special Interest'.

Once qualified, PhwSIs will be able to deliver more services to patients such as holding specialist diabetes clinics with patients to help them manage their medicines and illness, working closely with other health professionals involved in their care.

Health Minister Andy Burnham said: "All pharmacists play a valuable role in helping patients manage their medicines, as well as contributing to public health. Pharmacists with Special Interests will give patients more choice about where, when and from who they seek healthcare advice and treatment for things such as sexually transmitted infections, substance misuse and diabetes, or heart attack and stroke prevention through monitoring anticoagulation medicines."