Pharmacies should be developed as alternatives to doctors' surgeries to allow patients more choice in getting advice for treatment for common conditions, according to a survey by the School of Pharmacy, part of the University of London.

The survey of 6,000 people across Europe found those in the UK most strongly supported extending pharmacy based health care. 68 per cent of the UK public feel community pharmacists should be able to prescribe a wide range of prescription only medicines without having to go to a doctor. This compares with only 40 per cent in France and Germany.

Report author Professor David Taylor said:

'Traditionally, pharmacists have checked for safety and prescribing errors, supplied prescription items and treated minor conditions. But now there are important new opportunities for the direct provision of health services in community pharmacies, especially to support individuals who want to stay as healthy as they can as they go through adult life.'

www.pharmacy.ac.uk

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