The NPA is raising awareness of the Allergy Screening Service by asking its members to promote it within indoor allergy week from 17 to 21 November. The NPA has created materials to help promote the service which are available to download on the NPA members’ website.

A template press release which members can modify and send to their local press has been created as well as a template invite letter for members to send to their local MP asking them to undergo an allergy test. In addition a Question and Answers document is now available to help pharmacists answer any questions they may receive from the local media.

Neal Patel, NPA Head of Communications said: “Around 90 pharmacies in England now offer the allergy screening service and indoor allergy week provides an opportunity to show how pharmacists are improving access to high quality services.”

All pharmacists have received extensive training from Allergy UK and the Centre for Postgraduate Pharmacy Education to provide the Allergy Screening Service. The service involves the pharmacist taking full allergy clinical history and discussing various aspects of the patient’s life style. If required, a ‘pin prick’ allergy test can be performed which involves the pharmacist taking a drop of blood from the patient to determine the allergen.

Members can access all NPA ‘allergy’ materials by logging on to www.npa.co.uk/members.

ENDS