MPHM15: Public Health and Pharmacy in the UK

Study Notes

The course covers public health aspects through pharmacy
Examines the UK's public health issues, including determinants of health, tobacco, cardiovascular health, screening, harm reduction, communicable diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, sexual health, health protection, and public health consultation skills
Public health is defined as the science and art of promoting and protecting health and well-being, preventing ill-health, and prolonging life through organised efforts of society.
This is a two-semester course
The course's key themes include:
- Introduction to UK Public Health & Pharmacy
- Determinants of health
- Tobacco
- Cardiovascular Health
- Screening
- Harm reduction
- Communicable diseases
- Antimicrobial stewardship
- Sexual Health
- Health protection
- Public health consultation skills

The UK faces a range of public health issues, including poor lifestyle choices leading to long-term health conditions.

Funding for public health in the UK originates from patients and the public (general taxation), Parliament, and the Department of Health
There are several routes to funding, including public health departments based in local authorities, integrated care systems (ICS), GPs and primary care contractors, community health services, and secondary care.

The Community Pharmacy Contract categorises services into Essential, Advanced, and Enhanced services, each with a specific commissioning source (NHS or Non-NHS).
Services are locally commissioned by the NHS and/or non-NHS bodies such as local authorities.

Opportunistic advice on healthy lifestyles for patients with prescriptions (e.g., diabetics, smokers, heart disease)
NHS England-led health campaigns
National campaigns on topics like Stoptober or Be Clear on Cancer
Leaflets and prompts to encourage staff to give health advice

Disposal of unwanted medicines is an important public health aspect of pharmacy.
Pharmacovigilance is the process to monitor and prevent adverse medication effects.
Clinical governance ensures high standards in the provision of services, including patient and public involvement, clinical audits, risk management, clinical effectiveness, information governance, education, and training, and staff management

Commissioned by Local Authorities
Includes services like sexual health, harm reduction, cardiovascular screening, smoking cessation, and weight management.

Initiated in Portsmouth in 2010 and has expanded
Aimed to improve public health by highlighting activities within community pharmacies
Utilises services and staff for a healthy living approach
Was acknowledged in governmental reports
Mixed research results, with a trend towards increasing public health interventions within pharmacies

The UK faces extensive public health challenges.
Public health in the UK is a collaborative effort of multiple agencies and professions.
Public health is increasingly important within community pharmacy, which offers further opportunities for public health intervention.