The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) recognises International Self-Care Day (ISD) and acknowledges how pharmacists are helping consumers achieve optimal health outcomes.
Today, 24th July, is an opportunity to raise awareness of healthy lifestyle programmes and practices that encourage consumers to be more conscious of their wellbeing.
PSA has been a promoter of self-care and an advocate for improved heath literacy for many years and supports the Australian Self-Care Alliance’s Self Care Policy Blueprint, which promotes self-care as a core element of a sustainable National Health and Care Policy for Australia.
PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, explained the crucial role of pharmacists in self-care.
“In everyday practice, pharmacists are passing on their extensive knowledge and expertise to consumers, helping to them to better understand and manage their health.
“Medicines are our most common health care intervention and consumers place a high degree of trust in the advice that pharmacists provide on a daily basis – empowering them not only to use medicines safely, but also educating them on the raft of non-medicine, lifestyle and self-care approaches to better health.
“Self-care is an approach that activates consumer engagement in health care, helping consumers to understand what keeps them healthy – ultimately allowing them to take informed action to avoid preventable poor health.
“If COVID-19 has shown us anything, it is the importance of improving health literacy amongst the Australian population, by encouraging individuals to take greater responsibility for the management of their physical and mental wellbeing.
“PSA has been supporting Australian pharmacists for decades through the provision of evidenced-based, consumer focused self-care fact cards. These fact cards continue to evolve to meet the emerging needs of consumers and now includes a digital format – so that up to date, evidence-based self-care advice is readily available from Australian pharmacists all over the country.” A/Prof Freeman said.
