The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)'s new research (YouGov poll) revealed that one in five of UK adults (19%) keep their medicines in the bathroom.
The research revealed, "Almost one in two (45%) of UK adult keep their medicines in the kitchen, which could also cause problems.
RPS Chief Scientist Professor Parastou Donyai said: "It's important to store your medicines in the right place as this could affect how they work.
"Medicines should be stored in a cool, dry place and are particularly affected by heat and moisture. Keeping your medicines in the same place as where you have
baths and showers could make your medicines less effective or spoil them.
"Instead keep your medicines in another room, for example your bedroom or if you keep them in the kitchen, make sure this is in a kitchen cabinet, away from sources
of heat such as the hob, oven or windowsill. If you have small children or pets in the home, always make sure your medicines are kept in a lockable storage box
somewhere out of their reach and sight."
Storing your medication properly is important. Only if they have their place in the house will you and your family members always know where to find their supplements, pain relief medications, and others.
In this article, we'll try to give you some guidelines on how to manage your medication and develop a system that will work well for you and your family. Also, since medicine safety is so important, we'll share some simple tips on making sure all medications are good and when is the right time to toss them.
1. USE A BOX
2. KEEP YOUR MEDICATION IN A COLD AND DRY PLACE
3. COLOR CODE YOUR MEDICATION
4. DISPOSE OF MEDICINE
5. ORGANIZE YOUR MEDICINE ON THE GO
6. KEEP IT NEAT
Once you find a place where medicine won't experience extreme temperatures, humidity, and strong sunlight, get a nice set of boxes and take one afternoon to make it neat and organized. Even if you're taking specific medication, ask your pharmacist what's the best place to store them. Sometimes, it might turn out that it's your fridge, but a kitchen might also be a good place to start thinking about.
The Manchester Crown Court on Friday (9 December) sentenced three men, Cleave Lewis (35) and brothers, Denis Sutherland (58) and David Sutherland (59), to a
total of three years in jail after they pleaded guilty to the illegal sale and supply online of prescription-only medicines and controlled Class B and Class C
drugs, worth more than £1.5m.
They were found in possession of nearly 1.3m tablets of prescription-only drugs, including powerful sleeping pills, painkillers and anti-anxiety meds, when officers
from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Greater Manchester Police searched their residential homes and business premises in October
2017.
Following investigations by the agency, they also pleaded guilty to illegally making these medicines available online on three different websites for the public to
purchase without prescriptions.
The officials also recovered controlled medicines, over half a million (525,737) erectile dysfunction, slimming and herbal tablets, with an estimated value of
approximately £500k, from them.
A new Information Standard has been published to support improved medication and sharing of allergy information across healthcare services in England.
The move will standardise medication message content and help reduce medicines related errors and improve patient safety.
It will also allow efficient sharing of medicine information between NHS and social care organisations, including hospitals, GP practices, residential care homes, mental health trusts, and community pharmacies.
The Standard that came into effect in October "will save healthcare professionals valuable time accessing key medicines information, provide clinicians with access to a richer source of information, consistent across all care settings", said Shahzad Ali, NHS Digital clinical lead for the Interoperable Medicines Programme.
The Department of Health and Social Care aims to amend the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, thereby enabling pharmacy technicians to provide and administer
specific medicines through a patient group direction. In line with this initiative, the Department introduced a six-week consultation to assess whether registered
pharmacy technicians should be authorised to dispense medicines using a PGD.
The proposals, backed by all four Home Nations, apply exclusively to registered pharmacy technicians. Meanwhile, this coverage will extend to include pharmacy
technicians in Northern Ireland upon their achievement of registered professional status.
"The proposed statutory instrument, presently applicable in England, Scotland, and Wales would offer 'clear benefits,' especially in areas such as vaccination
and the provision of oral contraception and EHC," the DHSC said.
According to the Department, facilitating registered pharmacy technicians to execute PGDs might amplify their workload, yet it could simultaneously enhance
overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness for pharmacy teams by optimising the utilisation of skill diversity.
People who use pharmacies in parts of Pendle have suffered shortages or delays in buying prescription medicines such as insulin, councillors have been told.
In the Barnoldswick area, a number of pharmacies have been impacted and some councillors hope a new regional NHS organisation might look into the problems.
However, pharmacies in the neighbouring town of Nelson are facing shortages with other medicines. A pharmacists in Nelson Pharmacy told Pharmacy Business that he
was struggling to meet local demand for children's paracetamol due to ongoing shortages.
Pendle Council's West Craven Area Committee heard about the issues at its latest local meeting, held in Earby.
An agenda for the committee stated: "Pharmacy provision in West Craven. It is reported that there is an acute problem with people being unable to get prescriptions
filled, with Whitworth chemists suffering a breakdown in service. Previously, Well chemists has suffered similar problems."
Speaking at the meeting, Lib-Dem Coun David Whipp said: "It's quite an appalling situation where people are queuing 30 minutes to get a prescription filled but when
they get to the counter they are told it's not ready. They have to go home and come back at 5pm. It's an ongoing problem.
"It includes insulin, which is critical for people with diabetes. I know several people who have failed to get insulin, It's a very serious problem."
He added: "I think the committee should contact the local integrated care service. I think they are responsible for primary care which includes pharmacies. We need
to find out what's happening and improve things in future. "
There are several aspects that must be taken into account. There are instances where two different kinds of medicines lead to side effects, hence you must see how you are managing your medication. Let us have a look at some of the best methods to ascertain proper medication management:
LEARN ABOUT MOST COMMON MEDICATION MISTAKES
This is one of the first things that one should know about simply because when you know what can lead to mistakes, you do not make mistakes. Some of the mistakes that most patients make may be in the form of taking too much medication, mixing up home remedies with prescribed drugs, and non-adherence to medical requirements.
Evidence suggests that such mistakes lead to the ineffectiveness of medication, side effects, and overdose.
USE ORGANIZATION TOOLS
It may get very difficult to keep a track of the time and number of pills you need every day. It is especially true for elderly people who have a need for polypharmacy which is the use of five or more medications on a daily basis. Organization tools such as pill-box, alarm watch, and water bottle can be really helpful.
For example, a pill-box can be used to keep your medicines safely and separately as per their categories such as medicines for diabetes in one part and medicines for pain in the other. This would help you easily manage your medication routine without a miss.
Positive Solutions is set to launch its new, innovative, cloud-based medicines management system - HxCare which will be showcased in October at the Care Show.
HxCare will be free of charge to community pharmacies signing up to the HxCare Affiliate Programme (HxCAP) making it an ideal platform to support existing care home
business and attract new ones.
The cloud-based medicines management system aims to digitise workflows, reduce errors and free up care providers to spend more time delivering care to their residents.
Designed to be truly mobile, HxCare will be tablet based and has been developed by working closely with both care homes across the sector and their pharmacy partners
who relish the prospect of an eMAR solution that integrates into their Analyst PMR.
It is one of five new products being launched by Positive Solutions on the Hx platform this year.
HxConsult is already live supporting pharmacies looking to maximise their service revenue. HxIntel will deliver real-time dashboards, reports and insights into the
performance of pharmacy businesses of all sizes. My Health Hub will revolutionise patient pharmacy relationships whilst HxDispense is set to be the ultimate next
generation PMR system. This modular, cloud-based interoperable ecosystem takes healthcare technology to a new level.
Boots has partnered with Uber Eats to deliver beauty essentials and healthcare products to customers' doors in 30 minutes.
Medicines for minor ailments such as coughs, colds, hay fever, mild pain, rashes as well as COVID-19 test kits can be ordered through Uber Eats.
Boots is partnering with the doorstep delivery company with a pilot in 14 of its stores around the UK, with 13 of those stores giving customers within range
access to third-party doorstep delivery of Boots products for the very first time.
Uber Eats customers within range of participating Boots stores can choose from more than 900 products available for delivery straight to their homes or workplace,
including toiletries, medicines for minor ailments, food and drink options, and best-selling beauty and gifting options perfect for a last-minute gift or treat.
Paula Bobbett, Chief Digital Officer at Boots said: "We are hugely excited to be launching our partnership with Uber Eats. As the first health and beauty retailer
on its platform, we can offer an extensive range of product options to customers for delivery straight to their door. Whether it's medicines for mild illnesses or
last-minute gifts, beauty items or top-ups of a favourite skincare brand, we can meet all our customers' needs both quickly and conveniently."
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is refreshing its Professional Standards for Homecare Services and will be shared for consultation in August to allow
comment and input on the updated content.
The final version is expected to be completed in the autumn.
The standards were originally published in 2013 and are a framework to support teams providing and commissioning homecare services. Homecare medicines services
deliver medication, and any necessary associated care, direct to the patient's home with their consent.
The standards help patients experience a consistent quality of homecare services, irrespective of provider, will protect them from avoidable incidents and help them
get the best outcomes from their medicines.
Jennifer Allen, The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer's Clinical Fellow leading the refresh at RPS said: "It has been 10 years since the first set of Homecare Standards
were published, so it is important that they are reviewed and brought up to date to reflect current service design, medicine pathways and delivery models to ensure
patients receive safe and effective medication supply and associated care."
Health technology pioneer Invatech Health has sold its care homes electronic medication administration record (eMAR) system Atlas to care home management
specialists Person Centred Software (PCS).
Following the transition of Atlas to new ownership, Bristol-based Invatech Health will concentrate solely on further growth of Titan, its cutting-edge software for pharmacy management.
Invatech Health CEO Tariq Muhammad, a pharmacist who started working on care homes back in 2002, first conceived the concept of electronic medicines system for care homes in 2006.
Muhammad said he was proud to see his purpose-driven business given an opportunity for further progress. "It's a bit like being at a child's graduation," he said,
after the completion of the acquisition which marked the end of a 20 year journey for him with Atlas.
"I set up Atlas to tackle a dire need in the care homes sector for a system which could prevent incorrect dosing, mismanagement of prescriptions and administration errors of important medication.
Are you looking to start a career in the medical field but don't know where to begin? There are many different paths to choose from when it comes to entering
the medical profession. It can be daunting trying to figure out which one is right for you. But with some research, planning, and dedication, you can find your way
into this rewarding and fulfilling industry. Here are 8 tips that will help get you started on your journey toward becoming a successful healthcare professional.
1. ONLINE PROGRAMS
If you have already decided on a career path and need to obtain additional qualifications or knowledge, there are many online programs available for medical
professionals. These courses provide students with the opportunity to learn from home and gain experience in their chosen field without sacrificing the quality of
education. You can find an online medical assistant programs, medical biller and coding programs, lab technician training, and more. It's important to research each
program and make sure it's accredited before enrolling. While online programs may not offer the same hands-on experience as a traditional school, they can be an
affordable and convenient way to get your foot in the door.
2. VOLUNTEERING OR WORKING IN A CLINICAL SETTING
Volunteering or working part-time in a clinical setting is an excellent way to gain experience and decide if the medicine is the right profession for you. Even
volunteer work can provide invaluable insight into how the medical field works, allowing you to network with professionals, observe procedures and treatment methods,
and develop skills from patient interaction. Additionally, any volunteer work or job experience related to healthcare that appears on your resume establishes you as
a serious candidate for a career in medicine. While you are likely to find many volunteer opportunities, be sure to do your research and only take positions in
reputable organizations.
Brits are increasing relying on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to prevent or treat common ailments, as the 'care at home trend' has become prominent
amongst UK households following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Almost three-quarters of Brits (71 per cent) now choose to treat minor ailments at home rather than visit their GP or pharmacist, according to new research.
The self-care message promoted by the government and NHS during the pandemic has led to a new generation of consumers who continue to take control of their own
health and treat minor ailments themselves.
Additionally, the research, commissioned by Lanes Health, revealed that public awareness about preventative treatment has increased, with 70 per cent of Brits
claiming that they do their best to prevent the spread of common illnesses since the pandemic.
The UK government has announced plans to update legislation to enable more services and individuals to provide take-home supplies of naloxone - a life-saving
opioid overdose antidote - over the next few weeks.
Naloxone can immediately reverse the effects of an opioid overdose by reversing breathing difficulties. The medicine can be administered by anyone in an emergency.
However, current legislation allows only drug and alcohol treatment services to supply it without a prescription to individuals for future use.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) confirmed on Tuesday (14 May) that more professionals, including nurses, paramedics, police officers, probation
officers and pharmacy professionals, will be able to supply the medicine without a prescription to save lives.
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins warned that opioid addiction can ruin lives and it accounts for the largest proportion of drug-related deaths
across the UK.
Well Pharmacy, a subsidiary company of Bestway Group is donating US$400,000 worth of medicines to help the victims of those impacted by the recent flooding in
Pakistan.
The Bestway Group has raised funds to the tune of $2.3 million, which will be deployed urgently on the ground in Pakistan.
The monies raised has been pledged to build homes (or shelters) for 5,000 families, provide usable water for more than 100,000 individuals and provide food and
medical supplies to over 20,000 people.
In addition to appealing for donations, the Group held a fund-raising event (23 September) at London's Intercontinental on Park Lane, which was attended by over
650 guests including the Lord Chancellor, the Deputy State Bank of Pakistan, UK Cabinet Ministers, and Members of Parliament in addition to leading City' figures
and business community.
The Lord Chancellor Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP said that the British Government has committed funds of £16.5 million for Pakistan and we are dealing with wider climate
change issues as well and we are committing to that effort.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has updated the Professional Standards for Homecare Services to ensure high quality care for patients receiving
medicines and associated services in the comfort of their own homes.
Originally published in 2013, these standards provide a comprehensive framework to support teams involved in planning, commissioning, and delivering homecare
services.
The RPS said that these standards were updated to ensure that they align with the needs and expectations of recipients of homecare services, as well as
commissioners and providers.
Changes were made based on responses received through a consultation process, which was participated by representatives from the National Homecare Medicines
Committee, the Association of Pharmacy Technicians, the Pharmacy Forum of Northern Ireland, and the Royal College of Nursing.
In a recent announcement, the British supermarket chain, Asda has launched its first online prescription service becoming the first self-serving shop
to offer prescribed medicine supply at the doorsteps through its latest healthcare accessibility venture.
The NHS certified online pharmacy service, Asda Online Pharmacy, is set to offer patients a digital platform designed to simplify the prescription process for
patients, offering the convenience of online management and home delivery with their partnership with Pharmacy2U.
Effective immediately, new patients can register for an account on the platform via pharmacy.asda.com.
Once registered, they gain access to a seamless prescription ordering system that facilitates home delivery, along with the ability to monitor the progress of
their orders.
Prescriptions submitted through Asda Online Pharmacy will undergo rigorous scrutiny by qualified pharmacists before being dispatched directly to patients'
doorsteps, all without any additional charges.
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A pharmacy in Derby is to reopen a year after its closure sparked more than 600 worried residents to sign a petition demanding it stayed open.
An old LloydsPharmacy store on Main Drive in Chaddesden is to be the new home for Vision Pharmacy which currently has a branch at nearby Nottingham Road.
Vision Pharmacy, which has been based in Chaddesden for nine years, is to move to Main Drive from the beginning of December.
It means that Chaddesden will once again have a pharmacy right next to The Park Medical Practice - one of the main GP surgeries in the area - making it ideal for patients as they will simply have to just visit next door to collect prescriptions and medicines.
Huge banner signs can be seen on both the existing Vision Pharmacy store and its new Main Drive premises saying the move will take place from December 1.