Page 26 - P4403.59-V70_Numark Pharmacy Magazine_November 25 PRINT

Opinion
Opinion

Pie
Piece
e
c

Self-care and
community pharmacy

I’ve just got back from the World Congress of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (FIP),
where I was representing the UKs Self-Care
Forum as a trustee of the charity. The World
Health Organisation defines self-care neatly
as: “The ability of individuals, families and
communities to promote and maintain their
own health, prevent disease, and to cope with
illness – with or without the support of a health
or care worker.” And let’s be clear—self-care
doesn’t mean no care. It’s about people having
the knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage
their health, while knowing when to reach out for
professional advice.
The International Self-Care Foundation has boiled this
down into seven pillars:
1. Health literacy and knowledge
2. Mental wellbeing, self-awareness, and agency
3. Physical activity
4. Healthy eating
5. Risk avoidance or mitigation.
6. Good hygiene
7. Rational and responsible use of products, services,
diagnostics, and medicines
For us in community pharmacy, these aren’t just lofty
ideas. They’re things we see every day at the counter, in
consultation rooms, and when we’re out in the community.
Patients come to us for advice on coughs and colds,
long-term conditions, and how to stay well. Embedding the
pillars into our practice helps us not only support patients
but also take pressure off GPs and the wider NHS.

Trevor Gore
Trustee of The Self-Care
Forum and Associate
Director at the Institute
for Collaborative Working.

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