SLEEP & STRESS:
A PHARMACIST’S GUIDE

SUPPORTING THE PHARMACY TEAM AND CUSTOMERS

Approximately 41 million people in the UK (78%) suffer from either sleep or stress-related issues; however, only 36% seek treatment.¹ Poor sleep and prolonged stress can have a severe impact on both physical and mental health, including an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and depression.² You have a vital role to play in improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of complications.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Support your team to have confident sleep and stress conversations
Recognise medicines and medical conditions that commonly affect sleep so you can support customers appropriately
Educate others about the difference between addiction, dependence and tolerance, and how to identify and support customers at risk
Collaborate with other HCPs to improve patient outcomes through medicine optimisation conversations.

There are many ways in which you, as a pharmacist, can support customers struggling with sleep and stress issues, including:

Educating customers about the link between sleep and stress and the long-term risks associated with them
Offering sleep hygiene and lifestyle advice so that they can adopt healthy behaviours
Demonstrating leadership by empowering your team to advise confidently and refer to you when they are unsure or spot red flags
Identifying OTC products that may help your customers and determine their suitability
Using your professional judgement to identify and support customers who may be at higher risk of dependence or misuse
Escalating and referring customers when OTC treatments are not appropriate and other services may be more beneficial
Actively communicating with other HCPs to improve treatment outcomes and provide better support to those suffering with sleep and stress issues
Always providing patient-centred care to ensure patients’ safety and wellness