 At this time of year many people have colds and sore throats...and as a consequence they seek out remedies from pharmacies, because pharmacists and their staff are ideally placed to provide medication, and advice, to ease the suffering from minor ailments.
A lot of cold medication contains honey as an ingredient...and honey has been used in such medication for thousands of years - even the ancient Egyptians used honey to treat catarrh. Indeed one such remedy, from those far off days, involves painting the nose for 4 days with lead ore, dry incense and honey to drive out the catarrh! Not recommended these days (for obvious reasons!), but honey is still included in many over the counter products today - often for its pleasant taste, or soothing properties. Another of the big benefits of honey found in antiquity was its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and in ancient times the product was applied to treat wounds. In modern times honey is still used sometimes in chronic wound management - although the evidence for its use is sketchy... Whatever the evidence, honey is a delicious substance and has been used throughout history to sweeten foods; and in medication...and I like it on toast!
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 I'm feeling absolutely delighted today.
I've checked the Flu vaccination numbers and we're well up on last year. Well done to all those pharmacists who trained up; and offered this service to the vulnerable patients of Gateshead & South Tyneside - helping our GP colleagues (through access and choice) to reach the targets set by the DOH. Giving flu vaccinations from pharmacy really is a worthwhile public health service; and it's good news on so many other fronts. Firstly, it shows that the public really do value this clinical service from pharmacies - they're voting with their feet; and the post immunisatrion evaluation forms show this also! Secondly, this helps to change the mindset of the public to expect clinical services from Pharmacies - reminding patients that we do more than count tablets! Thirdly, the fact that pharmacies are covered in flu information helps to raise the public awareness of why a flu vaccine is important. Finally, and perhaps most importantly for contractors, is the fact that commissioners - having seen how well we are vaccinating for flu - may consider using pharmacy for shingles, pneumonia, hepatitis B and pertussis vaccinations. Now that really would be a shot in the arm for community pharmacy! |
David CarterChairman of Gateshead & South Tyneside LPC gives you his thoughts of the day Archives
July 2015
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