24/08/2005

Boots to provide free chlamydia screening

High Street pharmacy chain Boots has been awarded a government contract to provide free screening for chlamydia.

Boots the Chemists will provide the free and confidential service in all its London pharmacies from November. The service is part of a Department of Health initiative to make it easier for 16-24-year-olds to be tested for the disease. The screening and treatment service will also be available for the partners of those who test positive, regardless of their age.

Boots said that it expects to provide around 50,000 screenings per year and treatment consultations will take place in private areas. Test kits will also be available over the counter. The pilot scheme will be monitored over two years and if it is successful, it will then be rolled out nationally.

Pradip Patel, Boots Pharmacy Superintendent said: “Boots are delighted to have been awarded this tender, following a very rigorous bidding process. We believe that this is a fantastic opportunity for the pharmacy and offers customers improved access to chlamydia screening.”

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting as many as one in ten sexually active young men and women. It can easily be treated with antibiotics, however, if it is left untreated in women, it can cause Pelvic Inflammatory, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said: “With its hundreds of stores, in prime locations across the capital, Boots is ideally placed to provide the chlamydia screening and treatment for our two year pilot.

“By making this free service available in pharmacies on the high street, it will make it easier for people to call in for a screening test – helping to speed up both the detection and treatment of chlamydia.”

Chlamydia testing and screening is currently available in 26 areas of England under the National Chlamydia Screening Programme and is offered in a variety of healthcare and non-healthcare settings, including further education colleges, armed forces bases and prisons.

(KMcA/SP)

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