Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of making symptomatic faecal immunochemical testing available in community pharmacies for people with bowel cancer symptoms.

The United Kingdom Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is undergoing several updates to its standards aimed at improving coverage, accessibility, and early detection. This includes updated performance thresholds, and improved accessibility of bowel cancer screening faecal immunochemical test kits for people who are blind or partially sighted.

It is recognised that pharmacies frequently serve as the initial point of contact for individuals presenting with non-specific bowel symptoms. We recommend that individuals maintain a dialogue with pharmacists; however, those exhibiting potential signs of cancer are strongly advised to contact their GP practice to support earlier diagnosis. Therefore, no assessment has been made.