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Pharmacists dispense healthier hearts

July 2008

Pharmacists in Altona, Werribee, Terang and Camperdown will take a lead role in patient's heart health this July by participating in the Healthy Hearts in Pharmacy research project.

The Healthy Hearts in Pharmacy project, facilitated by Monash University's Kevin McNamara, aims to demonstrate the health benefits that can occur when community pharmacists take a greater, more specific role in cardiovascular health care. The pharmacies will recruit volunteers to participate in the study targeting patients at risk of heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the greatest public health challenges in Australia today and accounts for more than one in three adult deaths.

As part of the project, community pharmacists will review participants' heart disease risk and provide five short counselling sessions, all at no charge. They will also assist participants to make the best use of their medicines and inform them about a healthy diet and lifestyle, and the support services available.

Local GPs will be informed about their patients' involvement.

The pharmacies participating in the project are:

  • Borrack Square Pharmacy and Tom Sarros' Pharmacy in Altona;
  • Grant Picone Pharmacy in Terang;
  • Murray Fry Amcal Pharmacy in Camperdown; and
  • Health Information Pharmacy Wyndham in Werribee.

This research is a collaboration between Monash University, the Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health (Warrnambool), and the University of Tasmania. This program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing as part of the Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement through the Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement Research and Development Program managed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.