Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a debilitating, distressing and long-term condition that affects a surprisingly large proportion of the population. Despite its prevalence, customers may be embarrassed about discussing such an issue in the pharmacy, so pharmacy teams need to work out how to best support customers in dealing with this highly sensitive issue. 

Diagnosis and treatment of IBS is particularly challenging because symptoms vary from person to person and people can respond differently to treatments. But the pharmacy team is in an ideal position to talk to people about bowel health and to identify customers who might be self-medicating to ease bowel symptoms when other strategies €“ either seeing a GP or tackling lifestyle issues €“ might be a better way forward. You can advise customers on how to keep their bowels in good working order through attention to healthy living and, where appropriate, over-the-counter treatments for short term use.