Men's Health Week 2026
How Pharmacies Can Support
Men's Health
This week is Men’s Health Week, and this year Men’s Health Forum are advocating for the increased use of pharmacies for healthcare information.
Since its inception in the UK in 2002, Men’s Health Week has been observed annually in an effort to increase conversations surrounding men’s health. Men’s Health Forum are releasing a new report titled ‘An Unfilled Prescription’ looking at men and pharmacy, and how we can improve their relationship, which will in turn aim to improve men’s health. (Men’s Health Forum, 2026)
This year’s theme of ‘Men and Pharmacy’ highlights pharmacies as an easily accessible resource for people to use when they have questions regarding healthcare.
Pharmacies are generally open later than GPs.
For many, it is difficult to find time to visit a GP due to varying open hours, which can lead to neglected wellbeing, but many pharmacies, including some found in supermarkets, offer much later closing times, allowing customers to visit them in their own time.
Trustworthy advice.
Pharmacists have an extensive knowledge of health conditions and medicines and can help patients decide if they need to book an appointment with their GP. They can advise you of possible side-effects and can offer wellbeing services such as taking your blood pressure. Pharmacists in the UK must complete a Master of Pharmacy degree at an accredited UK university and are expected to continue their learning throughout their career by attending courses offered by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).
You do not need to make an appointment to visit a pharmacy.
Being able to walk into a pharmacy without needing to book an appointment is a significant advantage, giving patients a sense of freedom and autonomy. It also allows people to get access to healthcare, even if they are away from home.
Over-the-counter medicine.
Pharmacists are able to offer over-the-counter medicines for a variety of health conditions, including hay fever medication and sore throat remedies. Being able to buy over-the-counter medicines helps to ensure patients get relief quickly and saves unnecessary trips to the GP. Many pharmacies can offer some prescription medicines without you needing to visit a GP practice – such as birth control and earache remedies.
Mental Health
die before they reach 65.
have a long-term health condition.
in the UK are men.
Men’s Health Week encompasses all aspects of men’s health, including both physical health and mental. In the UK, 1 in 5 men dies before he reaches the age of 65.
The leading cause of death in men under 50 is suicide. In recent years, mental health has become an openly discussed topic, but it is still considered to be surrounded by stigma. Men are statistically less likely to ask for help than women. According to NHS England, ‘Around 40% of people with depression and anxiety disorders also have a long-term condition (LTC) such as cardiovascular disease, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and musculoskeletal disorders’. (NHS England, 2026).
Men’s Health Week is an important tool to help bring awareness to the benefits of pharmacies and will help to ensure that healthcare is accessible to everyone. This will, ideally, have a long-term effect on patients, improving physical health, mental, and general quality of life.
To find out more about Men and Pharmacy, and Men’s Health Week, check out Men’s Health Forum’s Jim Pollard discussing ‘How Can Pharmacies Support Men’s Health?’ by clicking here.
References
Available at: https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw
[Accessed 17th June 2026].
NHS England, 2025. Men’s Health Strategy for England. [Online]
Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mens-health-strategy-for-england/mens-health-a-strategic-vision-for-england-accessible-version
[Accessed 17th June 2026].
NHS England, 2026. Long term conditions and medically unexplained symptoms. [Online]
Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/mus/
[Accessed 17th June 2026].
PharmX, 2026. How to Become a Pharmacist in the UK. [Online]
Available at: https://pharmx.co.uk/blog/how-to-become-pharmacist-uk/
[Accessed 17th June 2026].
