Pharmacy Voice has called for a greater role for pharmacy in managing mental health problems, following the publication of A Manifesto for Better Mental Health, which fails to mention pharmacy. Compiled by leading mental health organisations, the manifesto suggests recommendations for the next Government to improve care for people suffering from mental health issues. While Pharmacy Voice welcomes the increased discussion around the topic, it argues that community pharmacy can play a more prominent role in signposting people to mental health services and supporting them to take their medication correctly.

“Embedded in local neighbourhoods, community pharmacies are often part of the daily routine for people with mental health problems and pharmacists are therefore ideally placed to offer basic advice and signpost to a specialist or the community mental health team if they are concerned,” said Rob Darracott, Pharmacy Voice chief executive. He added that the NMS should be extended to include antidepressants in agreement with the recent NMS evaluation.