Pharmacists, along with workers from other public sector workplaces, marched on 8 September demanding that the Scottish government take all available action
to mitigate the biggest reduction in living standards workers will have experienced for generations.
Pharmacists Defence' Association (PDA) members participated in the Scottish Trade Unions Congress (STUC) march to let the government know that "Scotland demands
better".
Paul Flynn, PDA national officer, said: "Pharmacists will be unwelcomely familiar with diminished purchasing power and a squeeze on household budgets for patients,
colleagues and pharmacists but what we will see this year and into 2023 will make previous experience pale by comparison."
The march organised by STUC saw thousands of workers, activists and concerned individuals march through the centre of Edinburgh's Historic Old Town in good spirits
while bearing flags and banners, chanting, singing, and calling for change in Scotland.
To support the mental health and wellbeing of pharmacists, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is running its fourth annual Workforce Wellbeing survey, in
partnership with Pharmacist Support.
This year it's focussed on exploring some of the obstacles that prevent workforce wellbeing measures being implemented in practice.
It's vital that workplace supports good mental health and wellbeing and provides the right environment to help prevent the negative effects of working under intense
pressure.
RPS urges: "Please complete the survey as soon as you can. It's anonymous, open to pharmacists in all settings including students and you don't need to be a member
of RPS to take part."
"We'll take the results of the survey to governments across Great Britain, the NHS, and wider stakeholders to advocate for improvements to support the mental health
and wellbeing of pharmacists."
After struggling with COVID, Hemant Petal is back to good health, and now he is on a mission to reduce "health inequalities".
Speaking at the SIGMA Conference 2023, he spoke about his new role as Clinical Lead, Health Inequalities and Population Health Management, SE Essex Alliance,
Essex ICB.
"So, my new role is outside pharmacy, nothing to do with pharmacy. But it is important, I feel that I share some of my insights about the work that I'm doing that
might benefit you," he said.
Elaborating on the role of integrated care boards (ICBs), he said that they are designed to enhance coordination and collaboration across different healthcare
providers and settings.
The representatives from hospitals, community services, retail and social care meet on a monthly basis to "look at where there are issues to be resolved, perhaps
what can be done to improve the healthcare services."
David Webb has been appointed as the new chief pharmaceutical officer (CPO) for England.
He will take over from Dr Keith Ridge who steps down next month after serving the role for sixteen year.
Webb is currently chief pharmacist and clinical director for pharmacy and medicines optimisation at Guy's and Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust, London.
Sharing the news of his appointment on Twitter on Friday afternoon (January 7), he said he was "really delighted and honoured" to be named the CPO for NHS England
and that he was as the appointed Chief Pharmaceutical officer for "looking forward to working with pharmacy leaders, colleagues & teams across all sectors from February."
He also extended his gratitude to the outgoing CPO for his "outstanding contribution" who, in turn, congratulated Webb and said it was "an honour to be handing over to him".
In the same message, Dr Ridge thanked "all the great people I've worked with over the last 16 years for your support, friendship, good humour, great ideas & challenge. I wish you all well for the future."
January 1 2022, the No Surprises Act (NSA) went into effect, opting for more transparency in medical billing and requiring physicians to provide Good Faith Estimates. While a great win for patients, the arbitration it creates between provider and insurer could see many solo/private practices closed permanently.
The feet allow you to get around, give you balance and support body weight when you walk or run. Keeping feet well cared for is not just a matter of vanity.
Some simple daily care can prevent diseases caused by fungi and bacteria and pain in the soles.
To ensure smooth and healthy feet, some care is essential to maintain a good appearance and comfort. Do you want to know more about it? Continue reading and
discover four efficient tips to keep your feet well cared for.
SKIN HYDRATION
WATCH YOUR NAILS
WEEKLY EXFOLIATION
FOOT HYGIENE
As you can see, maintaining daily care is essential for those who want to have well-treated feet, regardless of their age or sex. After all, they play an essential role in your health, well-being, and quality of life. Therefore, they need attention so that you can walk safely and confidently.
Please ensure you make frequent visits to a healthcare professional to check your feet for sensation and pulses at least yearly.
When it comes to supplements, more and more people are starting to become interested in them. This is because supplements have a lot of benefits that can
improve a person's health in many ways. However, with the increasing popularity of supplements also comes an increase in the number of low-quality and ineffective
supplements on the market. Because of this, it is important for people who are interested in taking supplements to know how to choose quality ones that will be
beneficial to their health. In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to do just that.
CHOOSE SUPPLEMENTS FROM A REPUTABLE COMPANY
Finally, one of the best ways to ensure that you're getting a quality supplement is to choose one from a reputable company. There are many different supplement
companies out there, but not all of them are created equal. Some companies are more interested in making money than they are in providing their customers with safe
and effective products.
Therefore, when you're looking for supplements, it's important to do some research on the different companies that sell them. See if there have been any complaints
filed against the company or if their products have been recalled by the FDA. Also, look for customer reviews of the company's products to see what other people
have thought about them. As explained by the folks from Supplement First, A good supplement company will have no problem providing you with this information and
will be happy to answer any questions you have. Doing some research on the company beforehand can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
To curb the supply issue of HRT medicine, the government has taken a further action by issuing SSPs for Oestrogel, Ovestin cream, Lenzetto transdermal spray and Sandrena gel sachets - with appropriate alternatives.
The move aims to allow community pharmacists to supply specified alternatives to the prescribed HRT products without needing to seek authorisation from the clinician
who has prescribed the medicine.
The regulator said that the availability of Premique Low Dose has impoved 'thanks to SSPs issued on 29 April to restrict dispensing for Oestrogel, Ovestin and Premique Low Dose to three months' supply'.
"Since these measures were implemented, further deliveries of all three products have been made, with Premique Low Dose returning to good availability this week. The manufacturers of Oestrogel and Ovestin, as well as suppliers of alternative HRT products, are taking action to increase UK supply."
It added, "SSPs restricting prescriptions to a maximum of three months' supply will also be issued for substitute products, as a precautionary measure to ensure the supply of those substitutes is maintained."
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has advised self-isolation for people diagnosed with monkeypox to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
Household members are at the highest risk of becoming infected from a case within their house. The new guidance advises people with monkeypox infection to take steps to try and limit transmission within the household.
"Monkeypox infection mainly spreads between people through direct, skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact. Infection can also be spread via contaminated
objects such as linen and soft furnishings," said UKHSA.
The guidance advises that, where possible, cases are encouraged to sleep and eat in a separate room and use a separate bathroom to their household if possible. Good hygiene measures, to follow at all times, have also been set out.
It suggests, "Where the use of a separate room isn't possible, cases should avoid physical contact and keep at least three steps (one metre) away from all household
members. It is particularly important that they avoid close contact with young children, pregnant women and immunosuppressed people as they may be at higher risk of serious illness."
The Omicron variant of coronavirus is less likely to cause long Covid than previous variants, according to the first peer-reviewed study of its kind from the UK.
Researchers at King's College London, using data from nearly 100,000 people who logged their Covid symptoms via an app, found the odds of developing long Covid
after infection were 20 per cent to 50 per cent lower during the Omicron wave in the UK compared to Delta. The figure varied depending on the patient's age and the
timing of their last vaccination.
Long Covid, which includes prolonged symptoms ranging from fatigue to 'brain fog', can be debilitating and continue for weeks or months. It is increasingly being
recognised as a public health problem, and researchers have been racing to find out if Omicron presents as big a risk of long Covid as previously dominant variants.
The study from King's is believed to be the first academic research to show Omicron does not present as great a risk of long Covid, but that does not mean long
Covid patient numbers are dropping, the team said.
While the risk of long Covid was lower during Omicron, more people were infected, so the absolute number now suffering is higher.
"It's good news, but please don't decommission any of your long Covid services," lead researcher Dr Claire Steves said, appealing to health-service providers.
We all know that clothes can make us look and feel good. But did you know that they can also be used to relieve some common health issues? That's right - by
choosing the right fabrics and materials, you can help alleviate conditions like skin irritations, back pain, and even headaches. So the next time you're feeling
under the weather, reach for your wardrobe first - it just might hold the key to feeling better.
COMPRESSION SOCKS FOR DIABETES
Compression socks for diabetes have become an invaluable tool for people with diabetes to keep their lower legs healthy. Wearing compression socks can help increase
circulation in diabetic patients, which is incredibly important for the health of their feet and ankles. Additionally, if the patient suffers from swelling or poor
blood circulation - compression socks can help reduce those negative side effects. As a result of wearing these specialty socks, many diabetics are kept more
comfortable and experience less fatigue in their legs throughout the day. With many different sizes and varieties available - it's easy for anyone suffering
from diabetes to find the perfect pair of compression socks to suit their specific needs and lifestyle. There are various diabetic stockings designed for men and
women. Take the time to find the right pair for you.
Proper drug storage is essential to ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and those around you. This is especially important if you are taking multiple
medications and need to keep track of them all. Knowing how to store drugs correctly can help prevent misuse or accidental ingestion by children or pets. Here are
six important guidelines about proper drug storage that everyone should follow:
1. KEEP ALL MEDICATIONS IN THEIR ORIGINAL, LABELED CONTAINERS:
Using alternative storage containers can make it difficult to identify medications or keep track of expiration dates. Keeping medications in their original containers
also prevents accidental misuse and helps ensure that the correct dosage is taken. In addition, it's important to store all medications out of reach of children and
pets. Also, keep medications in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. For example, a medicine cabinet in the bathroom or kitchen is a good option.
2. DISPOSE OF EXPIRED MEDICATIONS:
Expired medications can be less effective and even potentially harmful if taken, so it's important to regularly check expiration dates and get rid of any outdated
medications. The best way to dispose of old drugs is to take them to a drug collection site. If no such sites are available, mix the medication with something like
coffee grounds, put it in an opaque container, and then throw it away in your trash bin. Never flush expired medication down the toilet unless instructed by your
pharmacist or healthcare provider!
3. STORE DRUGS IN A COOL, DRY PLACE:
Extreme temperatures can cause medications to break down and become ineffective. To avoid this, keep all drugs away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and moisture.
A medicine cabinet or drawer in the bathroom is an ideal spot for storing most drugs, but some require special storage conditions (more on that below). Different
medications should also be separated from one another to avoid confusion and stored differently. For example, if a
While Northern Irish business groups has welcomed the certainty a new EU-UK deal on post-Brexit trade rules for the region provided, the pharmaceutical
industry too has expressed cautious optimism.
In his speech on the Windsor Framework on Monday (February 28) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the agreement "delivers a landmark settlement on medicines".
"From now on, drugs approved for use by the UK's medicines regulator will be automatically available in every pharmacy and hospital in Northern Ireland," he
announced.
The National Pharmacy Association's Northern Ireland manager Anne McAlister expressed a sense of cautious optimism.
She said: "While the devil may yet be in the detail, the Windsor Framework would appear to be good news for pharmacies in Northern Ireland. It seems to address
the main concerns we have expressed about medicines supplies to NI, but we want to examine the small print to ensure the new arrangements meet the needs of our
members and the patients they serve.
Representatives from the national community pharmacy bodies will brief the MPs on the severe challenges facing community pharmacies on Tuesday (21 March) at a
roundtable summit.
The roundtable summit will include discussions on the urgent action needed to address the current severe challenges being faced by community pharmacy, as well as the
sector's role in the upcoming Primary Care Recovery Plan, said PSNC.
The Parliamentary event this week has been coordinated by PSNC as part of the joint #SaveOurPharmacies campaign which exceeded 30,000 signatories in a week.
The Association of Independent Pharmacies (AIM), the Company Chemists' Association (CCA), the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and PSNC will take part at the
event.
A spokesperson for the #SaveOurPharmacies campaign group said: "30,000 signatures in a week indicates a high level of underlying public support for community pharmacy
and it's a good start to the #SaveOurPharmacies campaign. A petition by itself won't change the world, but it works as a kind of drumbeat for the campaign, giving
forward momentum, and it's a really easy way to express your opinion.
We hope the new window poster - along with all the resources available at saveourpharmacies.co.uk - will help as many pharmacies as possible to drum up support from
their patients, and we're really grateful to Communications International Group for helping us to print and distribute this.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has welcomed the new research guidance published by NHS England for the integrated care systems.
The guidance is said to reflect the benefits of delivering research, for patients, staff and healthcare system performance, including the economic benefits for the
NHS.
Jennifer Harris, ABPI's Director of Research Policy, said: "This guidance is clear on what good research practice looks like and it's great to see it out and
available for the NHS to use.
"A research-active NHS delivers huge value to patients, staff and the system itself. We hope that putting this guidance into action will help Integrated Care Systems
realise the huge benefits that research can offer, and help make the UK once again a destination of choice for developing the medical breakthroughs people need."
The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp) has appointed David Vanns as its non-executive Chairman following the retirement of its long serving
Chair Peter Cattee. Vanns will take up the role from April 2023.
Cattee, one of the co-founders of AIMp took up the role as its Chairman in 2000. He is also a non-CCA representative on the PSNC. Despite retiring as chairman Cattee
will remain on the AIMp board.
Commenting on his retirement Cattee said: "It's been my great good fortune to work with almost all of the owners of pharmacy groups throughout England, Scotland and
Wales over the years and many other talented people throughout the sector. It's been during a period of increasing consolidation, something which our own business
has reflected, and the original founders and Board members Yakub Patel, Kirit Patel, Steve Williams and David Vanns have all been instrumental in shaping pharmacy
negotiations to better reflect the views of our natural constituency - pharmacy group owners.
A spokesperson for AIMp said: "We thank Peter for his services and dedication to AIMp throughout the years. Our organisation has grown to be a diverse and dynamic
organisation representing and supporting pharmacy groups of all sizes, small and large. Our main identity and what unites us in AIMp, irrespective of the size of
the pharmacy group, is being Independents, and we are very proud of our identity. We look forward to continuing our work in representing and supporting our members
in the best way possible."
If you have low testosterone levels, there is a good chance you have felt some physical side effects from that. You may have heard that certain physical
activity helps combat the depletion, and there is truth in this. There is a link between increasing and fine-tuning an exercise agenda and raising testosterone
levels. Below, the relationship is explored in more detail.
WHAT DOES TESTOSTERONE DO?
There is more to the function of testosterone than just in relation to your sex drive. Of course, that is important, but it also impacts muscle building, strength,
energy levels, hair growth, and red blood cells. When levels are low, there are big consequences for anybody from hair loss to weak muscles and even exhaustion too.
TESTOSTERONE AND OBESITY
One of the biggest things that affects testosterone is being overweight. If you are carrying a few extra pounds, it would be beneficial to try to get into some
healthier habits if you want to promote an organic increase in T-levels.
HOW EXERCISE PLAYS A ROLE
Exercise seems to be a natural inhibitor of testosterone, especially when you focus on particular strategies and workout styles such as strength training. Levels
have been shown to rise immediately after exercise for anything from fifteen minutes to an hour plus. While it is different for everyone, the link is clear.
Maintaining good personal hygiene is among the most effective defenses against gastrointestinal and infectious disorders such as the flu, and the common cold.
By using soap and water to wash your hands, you can prevent the spread of germs that can make you sick.
When it comes to your own health, basic personal hygiene can also assist protect you from infecting others. A typical personal hygiene consists of following habits:
Every day, washing your face and body
Washing your hands after using the bathroom with soap
Twice daily cleaning of the teeth
When you sneeze or cough, using a tissue (or your sleeve) to cover your mouth and nose
After touching pets and other animals, cleaning your hands
Here's what you can do to reduce the spread of infection through a basic personal hygiene:
Keeping Food In A Safe Environment
Before and after cooking, wash your hands. Thus, you won't be able to contaminate food and won't get sick or spread bacteria from food, such as raw meat
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Enhertu for people with advance breast cancer.
"There is not enough evidence yet to show how much longer people live with Enhertu compared with trastuzumab emtansine because the clinical trial is still ongoing.
This means the cost-effectiveness estimates are highly uncertain and Enhertu cannot be recommended for routine use in the NHS," said NICE.
The independent appraisal committee concluded that Enhertu could be cost-effective if further evidence from the ongoing trial and from NHS practice can show how much
longer people live with treatment.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said: "Today's draft guidance is good news for people with this type of advanced breast cancer, who often
experience severe and debilitating symptoms.
The aging process can bring with it physical, emotional, and financial changes that can impact elderly parents. As children of aging parents, it is important
to be aware of their changing needs and help them adjust to these changes. With the right support, elderly parents can maintain a high quality of life in their senior
years. Here are some suggestions on how to help older parents.
1. NURSING SERVICES
Nursing services can help aging parents manage their physical needs and provide peace of mind for them and their families. They can help with personal care, assist
with medication management, and provide guidance on diet and exercise. Additionally, getting home care nursing services can also provide elderly parents with a sense
of companionship and reduce their risk of social isolation. If your parent is in need of nursing services, be sure to research options in your area and look for an
experienced provider who will treat them with respect. It's also a good idea to visit them regularly and check in with the nurse to ensure that your parent is
receiving quality care
