Community pharmacy is ideally placed to raise awareness of the benefits of adopting a healthier lifestyle. They can provide expert advice and guidance and are accessible at a time to suit, making it easier to access than GP surgeries and hospitals. Pharmacy teams are encouraged to use every opportunity to raise healthy living and wellbeing messages, playing their part in reducing health inequalities and also supporting people who present with long term conditions.

The number of pharmacies across England accredited as a Healthy Living Pharmacy (HLP) is increasing and the framework has also been adopted in Northern Ireland (Health + Pharmacy). HLPs are champions of health by encouraging positive behaviour change and supporting their customers with living a healthier lifestyle and promoting self-care. For Scotland and Wales, there is no formal quality framework however it is good practice to promote the principles of healthy living within the pharmacy.

If you are a pharmacy in England looking to achieve HLP Status, please take a look at our support pages on Numark Net.

Need more information on becoming a Health+Pharmacy in Northern Ireland, take a look at our pages on NumarkNet