Cardiovascular disease should be the domain of community pharmacies, MPs were told at an event this week organised by the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA).

More than 50 MPs attended the parliamentary reception on Monday 12 May.

Speaking at the event, IPA chief executive Dr Leyla Hannbeck called for greater Government backing and investment in the sector, and suggested that vaccination services and management of long terms conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, should be the domain of community pharmacies.

This could form part of the government's stated aims to focus on prevention and bring care closer to communities, Dr Hannbeck told attendees.

Expanded community pharmacy delivery of vaccinations and long term conditions management has long been an ask of the sector.

At the IPA event, MPs also had the opportunity to take part in blood pressure monitoring and lipid testing, run by a panel of healthcare professionals.

Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock also spoke at the event, where he praised the pharmacy sector 'for its essential contribution to the NHS and local communities', the IPA reported.

A recent randomised controlled study showed that reducing high blood pressure significantly lowers the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.