A professor in MUN’s school of Pharmacy is touting the important role that pharmacists can play in sexual health.

Dr. Debbie Kelly explains that when people think of sexual health their minds often go to negative places, but really it is an extension of overall health and self care.

Kelly cites a national survey that reveals that 40 per cent of Canadians accessed sexual health services last year. However, 42 per cent experienced barriers to such help, and over 70 per cent experienced embarrassment or fear of judgement.

She says pharmacists can provide help in a number of ways, such as by providing advice and education, and by prescribing contraception.

Kelly says they have something called the Approach Study that is helping to address some of the barriers people have and the way pharmacists can help.

Through the program, they’re offering testing for a variety of infections such as HIV, Hepatitis C, and syphilis.

She says the program isn’t just about testing and finding out one’s status – it’s about education. She says results have been overwhelmingly positive, with over 90 per cent of people saying they don’t feel stigmatized when going through the pharmacy.