Innovative trial in WA pharmacies

Chemmart Pharmacy has begun trialling a new health service in Western Australia called ‘Spotcheck’.

This service enables customers to get skin spots of concern photographed using a ‘handyscope’ at a Chemmart Pharmacy and sent away for analysis by Australian medical practitioners with an interest in skin cancer.  

The analysis during the trial will be undertaken by Dr Tony Dicker, MBBS PhD, a current member of the AMA and founder of ‘Spotcheck’, and Dr Gary Pellizzari, MBBS FRACGP Dip RACOG, Nepean Family Medical Centre and owner of The Skin Detective. 

The ‘Spotcheck’ service provides assessment of up to three moles or skin spots that are of concern.  If the customer has more than three spots of concern, it will be recommended they see their GP.

Once assessed, a report from the doctor is provided to the customer and pharmacist within 48 hours and if any spots of concern are discovered, the customer is advised to see their GP for further advice.  In addition, a customer can email their report onto their GP.

Chemmart is very excited about this new service and plans to gradually roll it out across Australia to help reduce the number of deaths caused by melanoma. 

Click here for more information on ‘Spotcheck'.

Source: ww.guild.org.au/news-events/forefront/volume-4-number-4/innovative-trial-in-wa-pharmacies, Wednesday 19 February 2014