Know Your Numbers

This year’s Blood Pressure Association’s (BPA) ‘Know your numbers week’ was supported by a new name in independent pharmacy.

All About Health, recently launched by AAH Pharmaceuticals is a major new approach to support independent pharmacies by empowering patients to manage and monitor their own wellbeing.

The company worked with the BPA this year to support the campaign (September 7 – 13) which takes place every second week in September to raise the awareness of what has become known as the ‘silent killer.’

All About Health teamed up with the BPA as part of the launch of the new campaign promoting blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol and diabetes screening services provided by pharmacies to the UK consumer. A first of it’s kind for the industry.

Furthermore, All About Health sponsored the Association’s mobile screening units which carried livery on the back and sides as it ventured into areas of high footfall in and around London.

In addition, leaflets and flyers were handed out to promote the use of pharmacies as an easy, local and accessible place for the public to have their numbers read amongst other screening services like cholesterol and diabetes and lifestyle advice on weight management and smoking cessation.

Ajit Malhi, pharmacist and head of marketing services for AAH said: “For the pharmacist, the new campaign offers marketing and exposure that they wouldn’t normally have the time or resource to manage themselves. As part of the initiative patients can use the new and unique on line health checks and pharmacy finder to locate their nearest pharmacy (www.allabouthealth.org.uk).

“In addition, we will work to support patient groups such as the BPA as we are all after the same goal, and that is to engage with patients and help them to manage their own wellbeing.”

It is estimated that 16 million people are living with high blood pressure in the UK, of which only a third are aware and often only find out once they have suffered a stroke or heart attack.

Mike Rich, executive director for the BPA said: “It’s imperative that we cover every angle possible when highlighting the importance of blood pressure monitoring and knowing one’s numbers and the potential pitfalls if ignored.

“The new All About Health campaign reaches all corners of the UK, particularly the rural and remote areas. Health and wellbeing management must start with the individual and pharmacies are ideally placed to advise, test and treat.”