Healthcare professional news

PCA at the pharmacy show 2019

Kirstin, our Health and Content Marketing Officer and Vicky, our IT & Digital Programme Manager will be attending the Pharmacy Show at the NEC Birmingham. We will be raising awareness of Pancreatic Cancer Action’s pharmacy e-learning modules on pancreatic cancer and our new Pharmacy of the Year Award!

Why are pharmacy teams so important to Pancreatic Cancer Action?

We strongly believe that community pharmacy teams have a vital role to play in the early detection of pancreatic cancer.

Pharmacists and their support staff are well placed to identify key signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer by engaging with patients and by the medications prescribed and bought over the counter. It is clear to us therefore that pharmacy plays a crucial role in aiding early diagnosis, which can significantly improve a patient’s chance of survival.

This is why we have made it one of our fundamental objectives to provide free resources to pharmacists, and pharmacy support assistants, to help diagnose pancreatic cancer early.

We have produced two e-learning modules, in conjunction with CIG Healthcare Partnership, specifically to help community pharmacy teams learn more about the most common risk factors and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

What is the Pharmacy of the Year Award?

Every November pharmacies across the UK have taken part in our Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month campaign, Turn it Purple, to help us raise awareness of the disease amongst their local communities.

Last year we saw a pharmacies across the UK really engage with the campaign on social media and in the local press, in particular, Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol.

This year, as a way of rewarding the effort of these pharmacies and saying thank you, every pharmacy that takes part in Turn it Purple 2019 will receive a certificate of recognition. Pharmacies can also apply for our new award – PCA’s Turn It Purple Pharmacy of the Year Award!

Why take part?

Pancreatic cancer is currently the UK’s fifth biggest cancer killer with one person dying every hour. However, new research shows that by 2026 it will become on the the UK’s top 4 cancer killers and by 2025, deaths form pancreatic cancer are predicted to be 25% higher than breast cancer in the EU.

Taking part in Turn it Purple is fun way to engage with the team and the local community and raise much needed awareness of pancreatic cancer. It can also help you meet the quality criteria to achieve and maintain a Healthy living Pharmacy status.

The winning pharmacy will receive an award, be featured on our website, social media and printed publications and will feature in leading pharmacy magazines which will be received by all UK pharmacies!

Click here to find out more about the award, entry criteria and how to enter and receive your free pack.