teaser
The body that offers guidance on promoting good health has recommended that community pharmacists in England should advise more consumers to fight off type 2 diabetes by taking up exercise.
The measure is one of 11 put forward by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as part of a strategy for stopping the development of diabetes in high-risk groups.
According to the proposal, pharmacists should join forces with local health service commissioners to help people achieve the recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five times a week. Pharmacists should also provide information on local, affordable, practical and culturally acceptable opportunities for becoming more active.
NICE has also called on health service providers to promote ways of people keeping a healthy weight by working with commissioners and other local groups. Local needs should be assessed by providers, according to NICE, while a strategy for preventing type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle-related conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, should be drawn up.
Officials at NICE are expected to draw up a second series of recommendations aimed at helping people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes next May.
Copyright © Press Association 2011
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
