Research offers strategy for community pharmacy to strengthen its role

Community pharmacies could benefit from nutrition focused health promotion for pregnant women and new mothers, according to new research. A small study published in the journal Health Education Research identified pregnancy and the first year of an infant’s life as key opportunities for preventive action focusing on health and nutrition. Phone interviews of 28 mothers from across Queensland revealed that pharmacy was accessed for medicines or product related concerns, and there was an expectation that information and health advice be readily available. “Opportunities for nutrition promotion in pharmacy, as perceived by participants in this study, were primarily addressing determinants of nutritional health relating to mothers’ needs for advice and support during this life-stage,” the authors said. Consultant Pharmacist Jenny Gowan believes a category of mother and baby would be an important step in addressing common pre and postnatal nutritional concerns.