How pharmacy can help

Pharmacy teams can contribute to both the mental and physical health of people with schizophrenia. Because of the increased risk of cardiovascular illness and death, pharmacists can intervene to support smoking cessation, while the new national hypertension case finding service in England will enable community pharmacies to identify and refer customers for treatment. These two interventions will save lives.

Pharmacy professionals also have an important role in ensuring medication for the treatment of schizophrenia is used effectively and safely. Other contributions include:

• Educating staff and the public around the stigma associated with mental health especially schizophrenia
• Providing information about support groups
• Contributing to the prevention of suicide
• Discussing with patients how they feel about their medicines and support them to have honest discussions about non-adherence
• Ensuring medication is:
  • Used within the recommended dosage
  • Correctly recorded (clozapine and depots may not appear on GP prescribing systems)
• Giving advice on side-effects and how to minimise or treat them
• Monitoring physical health
• Providing lifestyle advice particularly in the areas of:
  • Smoking cessation (be aware of the risks if the patient is on clozapine)