Tag Archives: pharmacy

Vitamin D Pharmacy’s YouTube Video Surpasses the 2000 View Mark as Winter Sets in and the Hours of Vitamin D Producing Sunshine Decrease

New Life Pharmacy in Glasgow is on a mission to raise awareness of vitamin D deficiency and in turn, reduce the number of people suffering from its related health issues.

In April 2012 Elizabeth Roddick, Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, pharmacist and owner of the New Life Pharmacy released a video on YouTube that explains the health risks of being deficient in vitamin D. Low levels of this important vitamin have been linked with diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism and cancer.

More recently, studies have found that a high level of vitamin D in women under the age of 75 can decrease the risk of macular degeneration and the loss of central vision, which is a main cause of partial-blindness in people over 50 years old (Qureshah, 2012). Vitamin D deficiency can also lead to health issues and diseases such as rickets, multiple sclerosis, depression and respiratory tract infections.

Vitamin D is produced when ultra violet (UVB) rays coming from the sun hit the skin. It is then absorbed through the liver where it is converted to calcidiol. It then works to check the calcium and phosphate levels in the blood, which are important for maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin D can also be found in some foods such as eggs, oily fish and fortified cereals.

It is common knowledge that all people’s vitamin D levels drop during the winter (November to March) as the sun is weaker during this time. A recent study (Qureshah, 2012) found that during the winter 28 percent of women had deficient levels of vitamin D, and 33 percent of women had insufficient levels. Being regarded as deficient means the level of vitamin D is less than 20ng/mL, insufficient is having 20-29ng/mL. Compare this with the summer statistics where only 5% are deficient in vitamin D and the contrast is clear.

According to Roddick, the skin needs to be exposed at the hottest time of the day (between 10am and 3pm) for about 15 minutes. These are the hours where the UVB rays are strongest and so vitamin D is most prevalent. This of course completely opposes the advice given out by skin cancer charities who urge sun bathers and holiday makers to stay out of the sun during these peak hours. Roddick does add, “It is of course very important than the skin does not burn since that can lead to skin cancer.”

Roddick believes that, “supplementation is required for most people. Also, because there are certain people who shouldn’t take vitamin D and a wide range of doses are available it can be confusing. Advice needs to be available when purchasing the products.”

Via EPR Network
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Big Mountain Pharmacy Launches a New Blog: Blogging the Drugs

One thing that has often been lacking from online Canadian pharmacies is information. Not only about the drugs on sale themselves, but also about illnesses and general news on the medical industry such as regulation and equipment.

That is what triggered Big Mountain Drugs to start their health information blog, which is now fully up and running on their website offering articles packed with information about common illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, erectile dysfunction (impotence) and acne. Not only that, they have also released articles giving useful information to help with particularly common issues. These include helping patients with poor eyesight by giving tips on how to identify medication safely, and giving family and friends of patients’ advice on how to tell the difference between dementia and depression.

Information like this is extremely valuable to patients, as they can learn more about the drugs that they are taking and the conditions that they are taking them for. The knowledge to patients increases safety as they can easily spot the symptoms of complex or potentially dangerous illnesses, and learn how to deal with the issues that come with many conditions. Blogging the Drugs from Big Mountain pharmacy, which can be found on their website, now lists many informative articles to help their customers. All of the information is free, and is written by medical professionals giving accurate and interesting information and facts.

One customer said: “Blogging the Drugs from Big Mountain pharmacy is extremely helpful and I’ve discovered a lot of new things about my illness that I didn’t know before, including information about the drugs that I am taking so that I can keep an eye out for side effects. It makes me feel much safer that I have more knowledge than I did before”.

Big Mountain Drugs commented “We wanted to add value to our customers by allowing them to make more informed decisions. Although they cannot buy most of the drugs without a prescription, it still gives them the opportunity to learn about the drugs that they are prescribed by their doctor so that they can speak with their doctor if they have any concerns. It also helps them to learn about their illnesses so that they can be aware of any issues such as symptoms of their conditions”.

One concern however, is that online Canadian pharmacies as of recent times, are no longer allowed to advertise on Google unless it is in their own country, which will mean that many people searching for information on drugs online will not be able to find the blog unless they live in Canada if they use Google to search for it.

You can join the blog on Facebook (bigmountaindrugs) and Twitter (bigmountaindrug), some of the most popular social networking sites so it is always very easy to connect and check out any new information that is issued by Big Mountain Drugs. They also post videos on Youtube and you can subscribe by RSS feed so that you get information in new articles as soon as they are posted online.

Via EPR Network
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Study Reveals Worrying Results On Sexually Transmitted Infections

According to a new study of sexual health from Lloydspharmacy – 72% of men have never had an STI screen, compared to 62% of women. Lloydspharmacy also found men were almost twice as likely to test positive for certain STIs such as chlamydia.

13% of men buying chlamydia tests from Lloydspharmacy’s Online Doctor tested positive compared to just six per cent of women.

The research from the community pharmacy chain also found that men are placing themselves at greater risk of picking up an STI with 13% of men having had unprotected sex with more than one person over the last five years, almost double that of women (7%).

With the research revealing that men are more reluctant to be tested but significantly more likely to test positive than women, the findings fuel concerns that men may be delaying testing until they are showing symptoms and that real rates of infection are significantly higher than reported.

Although men are less likely to have had a face-to-face consultation for an STI screen, according to Lloydspharmacy sales of tests online are split almost equally between men and women. This suggests that men prefer the anonymity of the online channel.

Through its Online Doctor service the community pharmacy chain has launched a postal Platinum Test for men which screens for five genital infections; genital Chlamydia, genital gonorrhoea, mycoplasma, ureaplasma and trichomonas. This confidential postal service allows men to be tested and if found to be positive, treated without the need to visit their GP.

“The lower rate of face-to-face testing and higher incidence of positive results amongst men suggests that many men may be waiting until they suspect they have an infection before getting themselves tested”, said Clare Kerr, Lloydspharmacy’s head of sexual health. “This is particularly worrying as many STIs don’t have any obvious symptoms, so men could be putting both themselves and their partners at risk by delaying tests.”

“Embarrassment is a huge barrier to testing and so we hope that removing the need to see a GP or GUM clinic face-to-face will encourage men to test themselves regularly. We can provide accurate tests for a wide range of genital infections anonymously and discreetly through the Online Doctor.”

Via EPR Network
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Storm Warning For Hay Fever Sufferers

Hay fever sufferers could be about to experience the “perfect storm” in 2010, thanks to the gathering forces of Mother Nature, a leading UK pharmacy has warned.

The unusual combination of birch pollen levels peaking again this year, as part of a biannual cycle coinciding with a late spring, could cause mayhem for those with hay fever, according to The Co-operative Pharmacy.

Lisa McCreesh, Clinical Governance Pharmacist, at The Co-operative Pharmacy, says:“We are urging people to make sure they get effective treatment if they are suffering from common hay fever symptoms including a blocked or runny nose, sneezing and headache, as these could easily be confused with colds at this time of year.

“Most people associate hay fever with the summer months of May and June when grass pollen levels are high. But hay fever is also caused by being allergic to high levels of birch tree pollen in the atmosphere and other types of pollen including weeds and flowers.

“There are number of simple ways to manage hay fever – managing allergic triggers, suppressing the symptoms, or altering the way your immune system responds to the pollen spores. Avoiding pollen allergens can be difficult though, as the tiny spores are windborne and travel for miles on air currents.

“Keeping windows closed can help, particularly in the early mornings when pollen is being released, and in the evening, when the air cools and pollen begins to fall to the ground, as can wearing wraparound sunglasses.

“A range of medication is available for hay fever sufferers including syrups – commonly used for children – tablets and nasal sprays which can help you breathe more easily and unblock your nose. Eye drops can also help to relieve itchy or watery eyes and certain eye drops should be used at least a couple of weeks before symptoms actually start, to minimise discomfort.

“There are a number of treatments available without a prescription and your local pharmacy will be able to advise you on an appropriate remedy,” adds Lisa.

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Report Says Young Women Becoming More Sexually Active

According to new figures released by the sexual health team at Lloydspharmacy*, today’s women have three times more sexual partners by the time they reach 24 than women of their grandmothers’ generation had by the same age.

The sexual health team’s results show that young women today have an average of 5.65 different sexual partners by the time they are 24. By contrast women of their grandmothers’ generation had an average of 1.67 and women of their mothers’ generation had 3.72 sexual partners by the same age.

Looking back over the decades since the War and the end of rations, the research shows that young women in the supposedly ‘Swinging Sixties’ had the least number of different sexual partners whilst young women in the ‘Noughties’ had the most.

Cancer Research UK statistics show that incidence rates of cervical cancer in women under the age of 25 have not decreased despite better screening**. Lloydspharmacy believes the increase in the number of sexual partners could be one reason why.

The last ten years have seen significant decreases in cervical cancer cases in women in older age groups but worryingly, diagnoses of the infection in women under the age of 25 have not followed the same trend**.

The community pharmacy chain is urging women of all age groups to get themselves protected against the human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection and one of the major causes of cervical cancer***.

“HPV infections are very common, especially in younger people”, said Clare Kerr, Lloydspharmacy’s head of sexual health. “If you are sexually active the cervical cancer vaccinations is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection with high risk forms of HPV.”

Women can receive cervical cancer vaccinations at 240 Lloydspharmacy branches throughout the UK. Other sexual health services available at Lloydpsharmacy branches or through the Online Doctor services on the website include genital Chlamydia and genital gonorrhea treatment.

Key research* insights for women between the ages of 18 and 24:
2000-2009 – women averaged over five different sexual partners, with 8% claiming to have had more than ten different partners
1990-1999 – women averaged under five different sexual partners
1980-1989 – 24% of women had three to five different sexual partners by the time they reached 24
1970-1979 – 24% of women had two to four different sexual partners by the age of 24
1960-1969 – almost 50 per cent had only one sexual partner by the age of 24

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Yeadon Pharmacy Backs National No Smoking Day

A Yeadon pharmacy is getting behind next Wednesday’s national No Smoking Day (10 March) by taking up temporary residence at two local health centres in a bid to help members of the community stop smoking.

Following the success of last year’s event at Yeadon Health Centre, staff from The Co-operative Pharmacy in High Street will extend their advice sessions to offer help on stopping smoking at Silver Lane Surgery.

In partnership with the two health centres, staff will set up a stand in the South View Road and Suffolk Court clinics between 10:00am and 5:00pm.

Open to patients from all neighbouring surgeries, visitors will be given advice and counselling on giving up smoking and invited to use a smokerlyser, which measures the amount of carbon monoxide in the lungs and blood.

Patients will also be able to book appointments for the three-month smoking cessation programme and can receive free samples of nicotine patches and gum.

The Co-operative Pharmacy branch manager, Sageer Sharif, said: “Last year’s event was extremely popular with visitors and we think that this year’s national theme – ‘Break free’ – developed with smokers themselves, will have a powerful effect.

Via EPR Network
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Pharmacy Warns On Sex Infections Danger

One of the UK’s leading pharmacies has issued a stark warning to older women about the dangers of unprotected sex – hot on the heels of a major national campaign to raise awareness of unplanned pregnancies among women over 35.

The Co-operative Pharmacy, which has nearly 800 branches, has seized on the “Conceivable?” campaign, launched by the Family Planning Association (FPA) last week, to highlight the fact that unplanned pregnancies are not the only issue facing older women – sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the 45-64 age group are also showing a worrying increase, with Chlamydia up 119%.1

“Any woman who thinks that these problems are faced only by teenagers must think again,” said Wendy Lee, Clinical Governance Pharmacist at The Co-operative Pharmacy.

“As more adults begin new relationships later on in life, they are not always thinking about the consequences of unprotected sex.”

Research also shows that nearly a third (32%) of 45-54 year olds believe that it is unlikely or very unlikely that they would be at risk of getting an STI if they had unprotected sex with a new partner or someone other than their current partner.2

Lee explains: “Some STIs don’t cause any symptoms, especially in women and if these go undetected this can cause more widespread health problems later on.

“There are a number of contraceptive options available and these generally suit all age ranges. However, male condoms provide the most effective protection against STIs.

“All options should be discussed with a healthcare professional and they will be able to provide the relevant support and guidance, including advice on emergency contraception.”

All branches of The Co-operative Pharmacy offer advice on contraception and STIs as well as many other prescription services and hayfever treatments.

To find your nearest Co-operative Pharmacy and for further information visit:http://www.co-operative.coop/pharmacy/.

Via EPR Network
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Stevenage Co-operative Pharmacy Staff Help Man Who Falls On Ice

Staff at one of The Co-operative Pharmacy’s Stevenage local pharmacy branches came to the rescue of a passer-by when he slipped on the ice and hit is head during the ‘big freeze’ last week.

Stevenage Co-operative Pharmacy Staff Help Man Who Falls On Ice

After being alerted to the incident by a customer, supervisor, Sue Spicer, called an ambulance as the man had fallen over a low wall, injured his head and was losing blood.

Dispensing assistant, Sarah Day, calmly followed the instructions of the emergency services operator and alongside pharmacist, Hiral Patel, waited with the injured individual and made sure he was comfortable until the ambulance arrived.

As additional pharmacy staff looked after the Broadwater Crescent branch, Sarah and Hiral minimised the patient’s blood loss and provided blankets to keep him warm.

Hiral said: “We were just glad to have been on hand to help until the ambulance service took over. Most credit should go to Sarah who was extremely composed and efficient. It was a cold 20 minutes while we waited but then it was back to the branch and business as usual.”

Via EPR Network
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Online Sexual Partners Calculator

According to new research released by Lloydspharmacy, the typical British adult has slept indirectly with 2,811,024 people.

The leading community pharmacy chain has developed an online calculator which allows people to work out the number of indirect sexual partners they have had.

The sexual partners calculator has been developed to help people understand the risks of unprotected sex. According to the Health Protection Agency, cases of sexually transmitted infections rose last year by 0.5%, to 399,738 and cases of Chlamydia increased by eight per cent between 2006 and 2008.

The average British man claims to have had nine sexual partners while the average women claims 6.3 partners, giving an overall average of 7.65. However, as the new calculator demonstrates, they are potentially exposed to the sexually transmitted diseases of hundreds of thousands of others.

The calculator, which uses data collected from more than 6,000 UK adults, is called Sex Degrees of Separation, a reference to the famous theory first proposed by Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy which states that no one person is more than six steps removed from another.

When people enter the age range of each partner, the calculator raids its database to work out how many previous sexual partners people within that age range have had on average. It then repeats this process for five further ‘generations’ of partner. This is added together to give a Sex Degrees of Separation total.

The launch of the calculator coincides with the introduction of Lloydspharmacy’s Relationship Screen, an online postal service which allows people and their partners to have a Chlamydia test – the most common STI in the UK – Gonorrhoea test and HIV test before committing to full intimacy.

Clare Kerr, head of sexual health at Lloydspharmacy said: “When we sleep with someone, we are, in effect, not only sleeping with them, but also their previous partners and their partners’ previous partners, and so on. It’s important that people understand how exposed they are to STIs and take appropriate precautions including using condoms and getting themselves checked out where appropriate.

“A simple sexual health test will give both partners in a relationship peace of mind. The majority of STIs are easy to rectify, but if left untreated, the long term implications can be very serious.”

The Sex Degrees of Separation calculator, and more information about Lloydpharmacy’s sexual health services, can be found at online.

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Co-operative Pharmacy Offers Free Hearing Tests

The Co-Operative Pharmacy has pledged to provide free hearing tests at a number of their branches throughout the UK. The proposal is a part of a new audiology service being trialled in selected branches in the UK as an effort to help those with hearing problems get the treatment they need.

Many UK patients do not notice any deterioration in their hearing and it is hoped that by having these sessions made available that the Co-Operative Pharmacy can help identify who may need a hearing aid.

If after taking part in the free hearing test that the patient is identified as having hearing difficulties then they will then be offered advice on purchasing a hearing aid, either privately or being referred to a GP if they wish to get one via the National Health Service.

For patients opting to purchase privately they will be able to have their hearing aid fitted within 3 weeks and free follow up appointments to make sure everything is fine at their pharmacy.

The Co-Operative aims to have the service in 80 of its branches nationwide with fully qualified audiologists available twice a month for consultations by September 2009.

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Lloydspharmacy Campaign Against The Threat Of Coronary Heart Disease Joined By Royle Family Star Ricky Tomlinson

Actor Ricky Tomlinson has warned British men against the threat of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) as part of a new campaign for Lloydspharmacy. Ricky freely admits that he did not take his heart health seriously in the past and paid the price in 2007 when he was diagnosed with heart disease after his wife insisted that he went to the doctor for a check-up.

A quadruple bypass and a significant amount of weight loss later, Ricky says he is a new man. He admits that if his wife hadn’t mentioned to his doctor that he had been a little breathless, he would probably be either very ill now, or worse.

Tomlinson’s campaign, ‘Ten Years Longer’, is designed to encourage men who are at risk of CHD to get their hearts checked out. “Men think illness is the same as weakness and it’s not very manly to be ill,” said Ricky. “The trouble with that is that if you ignore your health then you are more likely to get very ill indeed.”

He continued, “If women will go on a TV show to look ten years younger, then men can go to a pharmacy to live ten years longer.”

According to a new study by Lloydspharmacy, CHD will rob British men of more than 16.5 million years of life, although early detection of cardiovascular problems could lead to 4.3 million of those years being saved. That’s an average of 4 years per at-risk individual, but for some the number of additional years could be much greater.

Andy Murdock, Pharmacy Director for Lloydspharmacy said: “Most men can manage to keep the appointments that they think are important. They get their cars serviced, get to meetings on time and remember to file their tax returns. The one appointment they can’t seem to make is for a health check up.”

Lloydspharmacy offers cholesterol and heart checks at 625 of its pharmacies across the UK. The Lloydspharmacy cholesterol and heart check removes many of the excuses men typically give for not getting themselves checked out. No appointment is necessary so they can just walk into the chemist off the street at a time which is convenient.

Dr David Grainger, a heart disease researcher at Cambridge University and British Heart Foundation Senior Fellow, who compiled the Lloydspharmacy study, said, “When my father died suddenly from a heart attack at the age of 55, he had no idea there was any problem with his heart. But this study emphasises that despite improvements over the last decade, heart disease still has a huge impact on the health of the UK population, and men in particular. The first step to avoiding a heart attack is being aware of the risks.”

About The Lloydspharmacy Heart Healthcheck
The 15 minute Lloydspharmacy Heart Healthcheck checks cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose and body mass index as well as giving a full lifestyle assessment. Based on these results a percentage risk score of developing heart disease over the next ten years is estimated. Everyone who uses the free service will receive a personal action plan and summary of the test results. For high-risk customers a support pack is supplied and referral to the GP is recommended.

The Heart Healthcheck was trialled in 122 Lloydspharmacy outlets across the country last year and results show approximately 40% of those who had a check were referred to their GP.

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