RPSGB Looks To The Past And Present For Men's Health Week

Main Category: Men's health
Article Date: 03 Jun 2008 - 13:00 PDT

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The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) is encouraging people to visit one of its Museum displays as part of National Men's Health Week (NMHW) which takes place from 9 - 15 June. Part of the Museum's Developing Treatments series, the display explores interesting men's health treatments dating back as far as the 1700s, for conditions such as erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.

The display includes past treatments for hair loss including powdered bees and bears grease, alongside cantharides beetles and rhinoceros horn for impotence. Recent public health campaigns to persuade men to consult health professionals, such as pharmacists, are also featured.

Briony Hudson, Keeper of the RPSGB's Museum Collections, said "Our men's health display puts current issues in context, alongside some fascinating and bizarre remedies from the past. It's not often that you see seahorses and Viagra on the same shelf, but both have a part to play in telling the story of developing treatments for men."

The free display, on show until February 2009, is located in the RPSGB's reception area, and is open to all visitors Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. The display also looks at past and present treatments for women and children.

RPSGB staff will also be attending the NMHW launch event on 9 June where the Men's Health Forum (MHF) is holding a 'court case' where Man will be put in the dock for failing to look after his health. Dame Carol Black, National Director for Health and Work, will be the judge, with expert witnesses taking the stand and the audience forming the jury. Heidi Wright, RPSGB's Head of Practice & Quality Improvement, said:

"The RPSGB is fully behind NMHW. It is important that we encourage men to monitor their health more closely. Studies suggest that men are more likely than women to develop serious long-term illnesses such as heart disease, respiratory disease and circulatory disease.

"Pharmacists have an important role to play in men's health - men can drop into their local pharmacy for advice without making an appointment. Pharmacies can also offer services such as diabetes tests and blood pressure monitoring - pharmacists will also refer people to a GP if necessary."

Over 3000 events on the theme of Men and Work will be taking place across Britain throughout NMHW. To find out more about these events visit http://www.menshealthforum.org.uk or http://www.malehealth.co.uk.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) is the professional and regulatory body for pharmacists in England, Scotland and Wales. It also regulates pharmacy technicians on a voluntary basis, which is expected to become statutory under anticipated legislation. The primary objectives of the Society are to lead, regulate, develop and represent the profession of pharmacy. For more information, visit http://www.rpsgb.org.

National Men's Health Week

National Men's Health Week (NMHW) is an initiative organised by the Men's Health Forum (MHF). The theme for 2008 is Men and work and has two broad areas of focus:

- The workplace's potential as a setting for improving the health of men. There is good evidence that, even though men are reluctant to access mainstream health services, especially primary care, they will use services provided at work and take part in health improvement initiatives.

- The government's health, work and well-being strategy. MHF is a signatory of the Health, Work and Well-being Charter and is working within the government's strategy and using NMHW to promote it more widely.

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain