Pharmacy bone density tests find 50% of patients at risk of osteoporosis

Nearly 50% of patients who took part in pharmacy brand Discount Drug Stores’ bone density clinics, which ran in over 100 of its pharmacies during August, have been found to be at risk of osteoporosis.

Over 2,000 Australians took part in the clinics, which aimed to better educate customers about osteoporosis, a serious condition that can increase incidences of fractures, potentially resulting in chronic pain, hospitalisations and even premature death.

Discount Drug Stores’ Professional Services Manager, Casey Clark says the brand is proud that its clinics have helped so many people to identify their risk and to take preventative action against bone disease, before it’s too late.

“Bone disease is often referred to as the ‘silent disease’ because it shows no symptoms,” she said. “That’s why regular testing is so important and I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to get through to so many people and to really raise awareness of this debilitating condition that has no cure.”

Discount Drug Stores’ clinics enabled customers to take a simple and quick ultrasonic bone density test and consult with a clinician about their results, personal risk factors and the preventative measures and treatments they should be taking.

In addition, customers were also advised on lifestyle measures they could take to reduce their chance of bone disease with Ms Clark stating this was just as important as physically testing a person’s bone density.

“It wasn’t just about testing a customer’s bone density to see if they had or were at high risk of developing osteoporosis,” she said. “It was also about evaluating lifestyle and diet factors such as if they had low vitamin D levels, low calcium intake, were smokers or were on any medications that may increase risk of osteoporosis.

“This assessment was just as important as the bone density testing itself because it’s here where people can take real preventative action against the disease and where we can help them to make positive lifestyle changes before it’s too late.”

A debilitating condition that can result in a loss of functionality and independence, osteoporosis predominantly affects Australians over the age of 50 and is caused by bones losing their density, thereby increasing risks of fractures.

Currently more than one million Australians are affected by the condition but Ms Clark says she hopes the community focused pharmacy brand’s clinics have helped to raise awareness of the disease and of the importance of regular bone density testing.

“Many of our stores clinics were fully booked and some even had to hold additional clinics in order to meet customer demand,” she said. “It’s an incredibly positive result and I hope that they’ve prompted widespread discussion and awareness of a disease that is not often spoken about or promoted.”

For more information on Discount Drug Stores and its bone density clinics, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.

Media enquiries: please contact Suzanne Ross on 0488 441 589 or 07 3250 9406 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au.