HERTFORDSHIRE LOCAL PHARMACEUTICAL COMMITTEE
Community Pharmacies and detection and control of Hypertension
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a huge issue in the UK with more
than one in four adults being affected. It is the second biggest risk factor
for premature death and disability, and only four in ten adults with high
blood pressure are both aware of their condition and managing it to the
levels recommended. Community pharmacies offer a range of services
which can help in detection, control and management of high blood
pressure.
 Medicine Use Review
 New Medicine Service
 Promotion of healthy lifestyle advice
 Blood pressure testing (selected community pharmacies)
Why does high blood pressure matter?
High blood pressure is often called the
‘silent killer’. Patients with high blood
pressure typically can have no symptoms.
However untreated high blood pressure
can lead to
 Heart attacks
 Heart disease
 Strokes
 Kidney disease
 Eye problems
Medicine Use Review
New Medicine Service
A medicines use review is a confidential discussion between
you and the pharmacist focusing on how you are getting on
with your medicines. It is free NHS service offered to
selected patients eligible for the service. Failure to take
blood pressure medication as prescribed and frequently
missed doses can increase your risk of a stroke and heart
disease. A major challenge of blood pressure is that it is
silent killer. Pharmacist can help to educate patient about
the dangers about untreated high blood pressure. The
meeting will:
Did you know that up to 50% of people do not take
medication correctly? The New Medicine Service is
a free NHS service, offered through your
pharmacy, to help you understand your condition
and get the most out of your new medicine. This is
a confidential conversation and will be provided in
a private area within the pharmacy or, if you
prefer, you could choose to have the discussion
over the telephone. The new medicine service is
offered to patients with selected conditions
including patients newly prescribed medication for
high blood pressure. The meeting or telephone
conversation will:
 Help support and empower you to make
informed and shared decisions about
your care.
 Help you to self-manage your condition.
 Help improve health outcomes and
make appropriate lifestyle choices.
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Help you to find out more about the medicines you
are taking.
Pick up any problems you are having with your
medicines.
Improve the effectiveness of your medicines. There
may be easier ways to take them, or you may find
you need fewer medicines than before.
Get better value for the NHS – making sure that
your medicines are right for you preventing
unnecessary waste.
Promotion of healthy lifestyle advice: This is an essential contractual requirement for all community pharmacies.
This means you can gain quick and easy access to information from expert health professionals on healthy eating
and lifestyle changes which can help you to lower your blood pressure. No appointment is necessary in a pharmacy
and all community pharmacy services are both comprehensive and discreet. Key modifiable risk factors for high
blood pressure include excess weight, excess dietary salt, excessive alcohol intake, lack of physical activity and stress.
Blood pressure testing (selected pharmacies): As many patients do not have symptoms of high blood pressure
offering blood pressure testing is an opportunistic way of detecting there is a problem. If pharmacist thinks you need
additional help they can signpost you to other health professionals, social services and voluntary organisations.