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Pharmacies serve as vital hubs for health information and community support, making cancer awareness campaigns particularly impactful within these settings. By utilising professionally designed cancer awareness poster templates, pharmacies can effectively educate customers, encouraging proactive health measures and fostering an informed community. These visually engaging materials are incredibly useful. They serve to inform and are instrumental in reinforcing the pharmacy's role as a trusted healthcare provider. This approach aligns with public health initiatives, ensuring that crucial information reaches a wide audience. The Importance of Cancer Awareness Campaigns in Pharmacies Pharmacies are strategically positioned to serve as cancer prevention and education centres. As accessible healthcare destinations, they provide a unique opportunity to reach individuals who may not regularly visit other healthcare facilities. By disseminating information on the importance of early detection and screening, pharmacies can significantly influence local health outcomes. For instance, posters that highlight the importance of regular mammograms for women over 40 can encourage patients to make appointments, directly impacting breast cancer survival rates.

Despite being the most common genetic disorder in the UK, sickle cell disease (SCD) remains significantly underfunded and underserved compared to other genetic disorders, according to a new report published by the PDA BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) Pharmacists' Network. The report also reveals that the disease is poorly understood within the healthcare system, including amongst pharmacists, pharmacy students, and foundation pharmacists in the UK. It emphasises the urgent need for increased awareness, funding, and improved healthcare access for SCD amongst these healthcare professionals. "A lack of education about SCD within the wider healthcare community, including pharmacy, greatly contributes to disparities in care. "Though the importance of SCD education for pharmacists and allied healthcare professionals is acknowledged, it remains unclear whether this topic is adequately addressed within the MPharm curriculum," the report said. The report further noted that in the absence of explicit guidance from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and without more comprehensive education surrounding SCD embedded within the pharmacy curriculum, pharmacists and future pharmacists may remain "ill-prepared to manage patients with this complex condition." As per the report, sickle cell disease is the most prevalent genetic disorder globally, impacting millions, including around 17,000 people in England.

Thanks to increasing environmental awareness among people worldwide, there's a growing commitment to sustainable practices across industries. The healthcare sector, including pharmacies, is no exception. Recognising the fact that 'climate crisis is a health crisis', 124 countries signed a new Declaration on Climate and Health at the first-ever Health Day at the United Nations climate change conference, COP28 Dubai, which was held on 3 December 2023. The declaration acknowledged the need to prepare healthcare systems to cope with climate change and accelerate actions to protect communities. Welcoming the declaration, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized the need to build "climate-resilient and low-carbon" health systems to protect the health of both the planet and people. Pharmacies play a crucial role in providing essential medications and healthcare services to the community, but their operations can have environmental implications.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has cautioned against buying weight-loss medicines without a prescription from beauty salons, unregistered pharmacy websites or social media platforms as such products could pose "serious health risks." Consumers are reminded that the only safe way to obtain genuine weight-loss medication is through a legitimate pharmacy, including licensed online pharmacies, with a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional. To combat the illegal sale of these medicines, the MHRA's Criminal Enforcement Unit is working closely with social media platforms, technology companies, the police and Border Force. Andy Morling, MHRA deputy director of Criminal Enforcement, highlighted the dangers of purchasing these medications from unverified sources: "At this time of year, with many of us thinking about shedding a little excess weight, we see people offering weight loss medicines for sale as a quick fix, without a healthcare professional's prescription, from beauty salons, websites and on social media. "These are not cosmetic treatments; they are powerful medicines that can only be legally and safely dispensed against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional."

As winter approaches, healthcare experts are urging the public to support the NHS by embracing self-care and turning to pharmacies for minor ailments and injuries to help ease the strain on the healthcare system. New research from PAGB, the consumer healthcare association, has revealed that nearly a quarter of Brits still don't consider self-care as a first option for easy-to-treat conditions. The research found that many younger adults lack the confidence in self-care that older adults possess. About 23 per cent of those aged 25 to 34 admitted they would seek a GP appointment for minor ailment or injury they could treat themselves, compared to just nine per cent of those aged 65 or older. For common conditions, 56 per cent visit their GP for a UTI, 27 per cent for thrush, 20 per cent for acne and 20 per cent for conjunctivitis. Michelle Riddalls, CEO of PAGB, emphasised that while awareness of the benefits of self-care, for both consumers and the health service, has increased as a result of educational outreach and activities such as Self-Care Week (18th-24th November 2024), there is still significant room for improvement. The PAGB data shows that only 18 per cent of people could recall seeing a news story or campaign promoting self-care in the previous year, though this rises to 29per cent for young adults (ages 18-24).

"Raise awareness of pharmacies as places of primary health care provision," advocates the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), emphasising the need for universal recognition of pharmacists as essential healthcare professionals. Despite significant advancements in pharmacy practice, many policymakers and members of the public still view pharmacies primarily as commercial enterprises rather than essential providers of healthcare services. The FIP is leading a campaign to change this perception, advocating for pharmacies to be recognised as vital components of primary health care. Primary health care is crucial for achieving "health for all." In 2018, the Declaration of Astana saw governments recommit to strengthening primary health care to achieve universal health coverage. FIP, a signatory to this declaration, has since been dedicated to enhancing the role and impact of pharmacies in primary health care.

The annual UK-wide public awareness campaign, Ask Your Pharmacist Week, organised by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), has begun today (4 November). The campaign theme, "Professional and Convenient Healthcare, from Your Local Pharmacy Team", aims to highlight the skills and knowledge of community pharmacists and the wider pharmacy team, and their track record of safely delivering clinical services. Furthermore, it emphasises that community pharmacists work closely with GPs and the rest of the local healthcare team to make sure patients get the best possible care. The central message of this year's campaign is: "Your local pharmacy team is highly skilled and well equipped to provide convenient clinical care, including treatment for common illnesses, as part of the wider local NHS team." Throughout the week, pharmacies across the country will promote their expertise and services, including NHS-supported treatments for common ailments.

For young people up and down the country, there will become a time in their life when they need to start thinking about their future career. For many it may begin with a professional footballer, actor or popstar. In fact, these days it's more likely to be influencer. But of course, for most, it doesn't quite end up that way. However, many also dream of entering the healthcare profession and becoming a doctor or nurse and today, more than ever, there's a real drive for healthcare recruitment from the top down. As young people start to hit the end of secondary school, it can be a good time to start exploring the journey of becoming a professional in an area and if your child has shown an interest in becoming a doctor, here's what they need to know about starting that pathway… Understanding the Educational Pathway The journey to becoming a doctor does usually start in secondary education, so it is important to make young people aware of this. You generally need to achieve good GCSE results, particularly in sciences, while that's also the case at A-level too, with the likes of biology, chemistry and mathematics all relevant subjects to study. A medical degree is required to become a doctor, with medicine often the most common way to become a General Practitioner. Securing a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery provides a good route, albeit a competitive one. In many cas

Awareness weeks, such as National Self-Care Week (18-24 November 2024), are crucial for spreading important public health messages. At the Self-Care Forum, we believe these weeks are essential for encouraging better health choices. Pharmacists: Key Players in Self-Care Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to support self-care. They can provide advice on managing common ailments, medication adherence, and lifestyle changes. During National Self-Care Week, pharmacists can promote self-care practices and educate the public on preventive health measures. And the Self-Care Forum has a variety of free self-care aware fact sheets that are perfect resources to support people's health. Impact of Preventable Illnesses Preventable illnesses significantly impact lives and healthcare systems: In 2021/22, there were 125,612 avoidable deaths in England and Wales. Cardiovascular disease causes 168,000 deaths annually in the UK. Preventable conditions consume 40 per cent of the NHS budget. Long-term sickness cost the UK economy £21 billion in 2022/23.

There's a "clear lack of awareness and understanding" of women's reproductive health conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis and heavy menstrual bleeding among primary healthcare practitioners, despite their widespread prevalence in the UK, according to a new report by the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC). This is causing considerable delays in diagnosis and treatment, leaving women and girls to "suck it up" and endure pain and discomfort, it stated. The report identifies pervasive stigma associated with gynaecological and urogynaecological health, a lack of education and 'medical misogyny' as factors contributing to poor awareness of these conditions. Labour MP Sarah Owen, chair of the Committee, said: "Our inquiry has shown misogyny in medicine is leaving women in pain and their conditions undiagnosed." "Women are finding their symptoms dismissed, are waiting years for life changing treatment and in too many cases are being put through trauma-inducing procedures. All the while, their conditions worsen and become more complicated to treat."

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), released survey data today (30 October) which suggests Britons have a higher regard for community pharmacies than retail settings. It also highlighted the level of awareness of pharmacies' healthcare duties, which range from NHS medicines consultations to monitoring blood pressure. The survey conducted by Research Without Barriers involved 1680 adults in England from 20-23 October 2023. The data showed that over 90 per cent of adults in England are aware that pharmacies offer each of these services. The survey also suggested that 56 per cent of respondents find it appropriate to ask their local pharmacies for help to quit smoking, and 63 per cent would ask for a blood pressure check.

Pharmacists, who are working on the frontline of healthcare, can play an important role in raising awareness about mental health and helping those experiencing poor mental health. With this belief, the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) is encouraging its representatives at Boots to participate in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training offered by the company. Nicola Rees, PDA Rep and Boots pharmacist from Solihull, who has recently undertaken training as a Mental Health First Aider, said that trained pharmacists can help in reducing the stigma associated with mental health and identifying the early warning signs that someone may be experiencing poor mental health. Mental Health First Aid training enables pharmacists to "support individuals and signpost to sources of advice and support." Rees expressed that becoming a mental health first aider has empowered her and greatly increased her confidence in being able to support someone dealing with a mental health issue, such as having thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has advised healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate patient counselling takes place and patients are aware of the missing information on the patient information leaflet (PIL) of Decongestant Tablets and Decongestant with Pain Relief Tablets. The advise came after Boots has identified an error with the printed PIL provided with batches of the tablets. Check the website for more information.

The future of community pharmacies is in danger. With some 639 local pharmacies closing in England since 2016, action is clearly needed to ensure their longevity and maintain their rightful place on the high street. With increasing pressure on the NHS, which is suffering from healthcare backlogs and long waiting lists following the harsh impact of the pandemic, pharmacies have an opportunity to create a more substantial contribution within the healthcare industry. To ensure that pharmacies are able to embrace this opportunity, they need to be equipped with the necessary tools to enable them to meet the needs of an increasingly digital population. One way of doing this is to support pharmacies online, by providing them with a means to connect to patients via mobile, tablet or desktop. In turn, the UK population needs to be more aware of the services that can be provided by a pharmacist - many of which would save them from visiting a GP.

A massive global technology outage on Friday has disrupted essential services, including healthcare, airlines, banks, and broadcasters worldwide. The outage, attributed to a flawed update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, has also affected the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, with several hospitals and GP practices losing access to their computer systems. Community pharmacies are also facing significant disruptions. Services such as accessing prescriptions from GPs and medicine deliveries have been affected, causing inconvenience to patients and healthcare providers. An NHS spokesperson said: "The NHS is aware of a global IT outage and an issue with EMIS, an appointment and patient record system, which is causing disruption in the majority of GP practices." The spokesperson assured that the NHS has long-standing measures in place to manage such disruptions, including the use of paper patient records and handwritten prescriptions, and the usual phone systems to contact GPs.

Pharmacy First has demonstrated the enormous value of community pharmacy in providing accessible front-line care. However, pharmacists continue to face several challenges in delivering the service. "Pharmacy First is a success, but it needs proper support to reach its full potential," said Numark chairman Harry McQuillan. In the first year alone, community pharmacies in England delivered an incredible 2 million consultations, highlighting the vital role pharmacists and their teams play in supporting the NHS. "This significant number shows the high demand for accessible healthcare and the trust patients place in their local pharmacy teams. It's clear that when empowered, community pharmacy delivers," McQuillan told Pharmacy Business. Key challenges in providing the service While Numark members have embraced Pharmacy First, McQuillan pointed out several challenges that persist: "Workforce capacity continues to be a concern, with patient demand sometimes outpacing available resources. "The administrative burden, particularly around IT interoperability, data capture, and reimbursement processes, adds complexity." "Additionally, some geographical areas are still struggling with public awareness, meaning more work is needed to ensure patients understand when and how they can access Pharmacy First."

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched new guidance to highlight the latest safety advice on the steps to take during anaphylaxis. On the start of World Allergy Week (19 June), an annual initiative led by the World Allergy Organization, aiming to raise awareness of allergies, their management and prevention, the MHRA has collaborated with allergy awareness advocates to share an easy step-by-step infographic guide and video outlining the latest advice from the CHM's working group on the safe and effective use of AAIs. Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said: "A severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening. One in five people in the UK suffer with at least one allergy, so it's vital people are equipped with the knowledge to keep themselves safe. Adrenaline auto-injectors - also known as AAIs or by their brand names such as EpiPen - are highly effective and convenient for the immediate treatment of anaphylaxis. If you have been prescribed one, please carry it with you at all times and make sure you are up to date on the latest safety guidance - it could save your life."

When you visit a hospital, one of the last things that come to mind is worrying about legal aspects and what rights you might have - or lack. But these issues and your understanding of them are more important than ever. Knowing exactly what hospitals can legally and cannot do to you is an essential part of ensuring your protection as a patient when going in for care. In this blog post, we'll break down the legal details behind being treated at a hospital so that you can feel more confident when making healthcare decisions. Let's dive into the legal aspect of visiting a hospital, outline what hospitals can and cannot do to us, discover our rights as patients, and review any other considerations worth keeping in mind! OVERVIEW OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW AND HOW IT RELATES TO VISITING A HOSPITAL When going to a hospital, concerned patients and their families should be aware of the legal risks posed in medical malpractice cases. These potential issues can have life-altering consequences if misdiagnoses, wrong medication administration, or improper treatment occurs. Now, whether you seek damages for your injuries at Staten Island University Hospital or in a different hospital in your hometown, it is important for visitors to understand that the law has set forth regulations regarding acceptable standards of care expected by our nation's hospitals. Those regulations can include procedures of qualified professionals that protect patients from financial exploitation and physical or emotional distress caused by medical negligence. Understanding how this information applies to you will help you protect yourself legally if your rights are violated while visiting a hospital.

As the Easter holiday draws near, pharmacies across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are readying themselves to provide essential healthcare services to residents. Operational throughout Good Friday (March 29), Easter Sunday (March 31), and Easter Monday (April 1), these pharmacies stand poised to offer vital support to those in need. NHS England has raised awareness by releasing a comprehensive list of pharmacies scheduled to operate during the holiday period. Hampshire residents, including those in Southampton and Portsmouth, can access detailed information about open pharmacies on the NHS England website, along with separate listings for the Isle of Wight. However, it's important to note that opening times may vary, prompting individuals to confirm details before visiting, as schedules are subject to change. Beyond merely dispensing prescriptions, pharmacies are equipped to provide expert advice on minor illnesses and administer treatments for common conditions. This includes addressing issues such as shingles, sore throats, infected insect bites, earaches, sinusitis, impetigo, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) under the Pharmacy First scheme.

Community pharmacy could play an important role in proactive detection of heart valve disease (HVD), which remains under-recognised and under-detected in England, suggested a new report published by Wilmington Healthcare. Pharmacy bodies, including Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and Community Pharmacy England (CPE), have also endorsed the report, which encourages Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to consider the innovative approach of detecting HVD with the help of community pharmacists. Despite HVD detection being a priority listed in the NHS Long Term Plan, a large number of people with HVD remained undiagnosed and untreated in the country due to lack of awareness of the disease prevalence. In June 2022, a pilot study was launched in Farnborough Primary Care Network (PCN), Hampshire, to evaluate the feasibility of using e-stethoscopes (digital auscultation) to detect this heart condition by a community pharmacist.