PHARMACY AT HEART OF SCOTLAND’S £36M BID TO CUT BINGE DRINKING

Pharmacies in Scotland will deliver consultations on the dangers of binge drinking under the local Government’s £36m bid to tackle alcohol misuse.

Forth Valley and Grampian health boards have commissioned the alcohol interventions through local contractors.

The initiative sees pharmacists discuss drinking habits with patients and let them know the health risks which could be imposed.

The extent of pharmacy’s role in delivering interventions elsewhere in Scotland will be determined by local health boards- who have been allocated the £36m funding to cut excessive drinking.

Health boards will work alongside Alcohol and Drug partnerships to commission a range of measures to help prevent alcohol abuse.

A Scottish Government said it was up to local health boards to determine how funding is to be determined.

Announcing the initiative Scotland cabinet secretary for health Nicola Sturgeon stated: “Brief interventions are a key part of our strategy and they’re not only clinically effective but also costs effective.”