The Community Pharmacy Health Champion Programme (CPHCP), formerly known as Pharmacist Health Ambassador Programme (PHAP), was initiated in October 2006.
The programme serves to reach out to the masses and functions as a platform for pharmacists to share their knowledge to empower people to cope with chronic ailments and/or help them undergo healthy lifestyle modifications. Such aliments range from minor conditions such as allergic rhinitis and eczema to more serious chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol. Assisting the community in smoking cessation was also a major goal for the pharmacists in this programme.
Figure 1. Incidence of patient follow-ups related to types of chronic diseases
*Others include GERD, gastric ulcers, eczema, stroke, epilepsy, weight management, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and migraine.
Since its launch, the programme continues to run successfully. From September 2014 to July 2015, a total of 36 community pharmacists participated in this programme. A total of 774 patients were counselled and 1381 follow-up reviews were rendered.
On top of that, 45.8% of all followed ups led to an improved outcome for the patient while 32.9% of all patients followed up maintained their good health. On a special note, out of all smoking cessation follow ups conducted, 87.5% of all smoking cessation follow ups resulted in positive outcomes (patient remain smoke free).
Figure 2. Patient-reported outcomes resulting from counselling by community pharmacists under CPHCP
Data collected demonstrated that the objectives of the programme were met. Firstly, community pharmacists proactively follow up patient’s conditions and enhanced outreach efforts. More importantly, health counselling sessions conducted by community pharmacists resulted in patients achieving higher rates of healthy lifestyle adoption as well as improved patient outcomes.
Moving ahead, community pharmacists in Singapore will continue to provide this invaluable service to the community, enhancing the overall health of the residents of Singapore.
To appreciate and encourage active participation of community pharmacists, the top ten contributors for CPHCP were recognised during Gala Dinner, which was held on 12th Sep 2015 at Hotel Fort Canning, in conjunction with the 25th Singapore Pharmacy Congress.
From left to right: PSS President Ms Miko Thum and the top 10 contributors for CPHCP, Ms Nelley Toh, Ms Grace Kng, Ms Hong Jiemi, Ms Foo Lee Sun, Ms Cai Ziqin, Ms Soong Lai Leng, Ms Chanida Jindasook, Ms Lee Wai Fong, Mr Anson Lim, Mr Muhammad Riduwan
