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Pharmacies ‘could take over’ tasks from Denmark’s strained health system

Pharmacies could take on a number of healthcare tasks currently performed by hospitals and doctors, a government-appointed group has advised.

Published: 29 June 2023 17:02 CEST

Pharmacies ‘could take over’ tasks from Denmark’s strained health system

Pharmacies could be asked to take on additional tasks to give health staff more time for other aspects of their work. File photo: Asger Ladefoged/Ritzau Scanpix

An advisory group set down by the government has come up with six recommendations for easing the strain on health services after working on its assignment for one year, the Health Ministry said in a statement.

That includes pharmacies delivering dose-packaged medicines, modernisation of prescriptions and acting as a health telephone line.

“Pharmacies today are already an integrated part of the overall health service but we could benefit from them playing an even bigger role,” Health Minister Sophie Løhde said in the statement.

READ ALSO: What exactly is wrong with the Danish health system?

The expert group contains representatives from regional health authorities, the trade union for pharmacists Danmarks Apotekerforening, and the health ministry.

An example of the potential benefits would be time released to nurses and other health staff if dosed medicines were prepared by pharmacies, the group said.

While pharmacy staff are already able to give patients guidance on their medicines and condition, this service could be extended, the expert group said.

Meanwhile, a telephone helpline could be used by family members and care staff who need to speak to pharmacy staff about patients’ medicines, providing safeguards against incorrect medication and potential complications or hospitalisation related to this.

READ ALSO: The 7 over-the-counter meds Americans might want to bring with them to Europe

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Denmark registers first 2024 case of tick-borne encephalitis

Although the disease is very rare in Denmark, there are usually a handful of cases each year. The forested area around Tisvilde Hegn and elsewhere in northern Zealand are particular risk zones along with parts of Bornholm.

“Infection is usually linked to spending time in risk areas, and typically going off the paths, Peter H.S. Andersen, doctor and head of department at SSI, said in a statement.

“But there have also been cases of TBE where the patient has not demonstrated known risk behaviour by going into in woods or thickets,” he added.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about ticks in Denmark and how to avoid them

Earlier this year, it was reported that people in Copenhagen and surrounding areas of Zealand have increasingly sought vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) after an increase in ticks in parts of the countryside.

The risk of TBE remains small but case numbers have increased slightly in recent years. Some 11 cases were registered in 2023 compared with around 1 or 2 annually a decade ago.

Ticks (skovflåter) can be found all over Denmark in forests, meadows, and long grass. They are particularly active during the summer months and increase in number if the weather has been warm and humid.

In Denmark, the most common disease ticks transmit is Lyme disease, but ticks can also carry the very rare but dangerous TBE.

Only people who spend extended time in forests near Tisvilde Hegn as well as on the island of Bornholm should consider vaccination, SSI experts have previously said.

TBE is a viral brain infection caused by a particular tick bite. Flu-like symptoms can occur a week or more after the bite and can develop to include nausea, dizziness, and in around a third of cases, severe long-term problems or permanent neurological damage.

Denmark’s tick season last from spring until autumn.

In contrast to Lyme disease, the TBE virus infects its target quickly after the tick bite.

“That’s why it’s important to remove a tick as soon as you find it. Either with your fingers, a tweezer or a special tick remover,” Andersen said.

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