The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain is this week issuing new guidance for pharmacists on how to assist patients in managing hypertension.

The existing guidance has been updated to reflect the changing role of community pharmacists as they take on more clinical responsibility.

The Society worked alongside the National Prescribing Centre (NPC) to make the update in accordance with guidelines set by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and national best practice.

Pharmacists are urged to make full use of this new guidance which is available on 3 May to download from the Society's website rpsgb or by calling 0207 572 2412.

Heidi Wright, the Society's Head of Practice, said: "As the role of pharmacy expands and pharmacists play more of an active role in screening and diagnostic testing, such as vascular checks, it is important to ensure that professional guidance is relevant and robust.

"This guidance signposts community pharmacists to resources they can use and puts the information into an easy and readable format."

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain