Role of community pharmacy

Community pharmacies can offer a blood pressure monitoring service for undiagnosed patients and also the advanced case finding service recently specified in the contractual framework. Understanding local need may help to target services at those who could benefit the most. 

Ideally, any blood pressure readings, even if normal, should be communicated (with the patient’s permission) to the GP for inclusion in the clinical record. An agreed method for doing this should be in place with the GP practice. 

It is also important to consider how pharmacists can communicate with a person whose blood pressure is found to be high on testing in the pharmacy or after ABPM/HBPM measurement in order to put this into context, while at the same time delivering lifestyle messages and discussing if referral to the GP is needed (and what this may involve). 

Most pharmacies now sell blood pressure monitors. These should be models approved for use (see BIHS list overleaf). Pharmacy teams can advise patients to purchase a monitor, with the correct cuff size, and support people in the correct use of the monitor at home. 

People visiting a pharmacy may not be aware of this service, so pharmacists should think about how they might promote it. Examples include:

• Have a blood pressure stand in the pharmacy and make sure there are patient information leaflets from reputable sources clearly on display (e.g. the British Heart Foundation, Blood Pressure UK or the Stroke Association)
• Have stickers or leaflets to go into prescription bags
• Link with other pharmacy health promotional activities, where the blood pressure monitoring service could also be offered
• Consider how to identify potential users through the pharmacy flu or Covid vaccine service
• Promote the service on the pharmacy’s website or via social media platforms.

Regardless of the blood pressure readings obtained, these interactions offer an opportunity to discuss lifestyle modifications that may have an impact on blood pressure and/or on the person’s overall cardiovascular health. These interventions should already be well known to community pharmacy staff.