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YESTERDAY Guild President Kos Sclavos helped launch the National Stroke Foundation’s ‘Know Your Numbers’ program at Delahunty’s Cost Less Chemists in Brisbane. The program targets the almost four million Aussies over 25 who suffer high blood pressure, the most significant modifiable risk factor for stroke – with many unaware of their blood pressure numbers. ‘Know Your Numbers’ program is provided to patients free of charge and involves blood pressure testing, a questionnaire and a talk about modifiable risk factors. This year 119 of the participating pharmacies will also offer a diabetes check to help patients identify if they are at risk of both stroke and type 2 diabetes. At risk patients will be referred to their GP for further treatment. Also attending the launch was Queensland Minister for Health, Geoff Wilson, who urged Australians to make use of both the stroke and diabetes checks, saying that with around 80,000 Queenslanders visiting pharmacies each day “they are great places to deliver these services” “Being able to have a free risk check in a local pharmacy means more Queenslanders can take advantage of this great service, close to where they live,” he added. Pictured above at the launch is Dr Bruce Bolam, Stroke Foundation; Bridget Delahunty, Pharmacist; Geoff Wilson, Qld Minister for Health; Kos Sclavos, Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Michele Trute, Diabetes Qld. |
