NEWS NEW
BOSS FOR NUMARK
Numark have announced that, with effect from 1 February, Jeremy Meader will succeed John D’Arcy as managing director of the organisation.
Jeremy joined PHOENIX three years ago in the capacity of Sales Director after a successful career with GSK and Alliance Healthcare. He brings to the role many years of experience, combined with a unique understanding of the Numark membership, having headed up the Pharmacy Development team for a number of years. During that time,
membership growth reached an all- time high in both existing and new channels.
John D’Arcy will remain a strong ambassador for Numark in his capacity as Non-Executive Chairman, where he will continue to be a vocal advocate for community pharmacy.
VITAMIN D ADVICE UPDATED
THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT HAS UPDATED ITS ADVICE ON VITAMIN D IN LINE WITH THE REVISED RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUED LAST YEAR BY THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON NUTRITION (SACN).
Following a comprehensive review of SACN’s recommendations, the government has now announced that everyone (all adults and children ) aged five and above should consider taking a daily supplement of 10μg of vitamin D, particularly during the winter months (October -March).
The government has advised that, between late March/early April and September, the majority of
VIDEO LOVES THE
PHARMACY STAR! Santa isn’t the only one who will be getting some expert self help this winter. A new campaign from NHS Lanarkshire is encouraging people to visit their local healthcare experts for advice and treatment - without the need to visit a GP or emergency department.
The Meet the Expert campaign, which showcases all the services that patients can turn to when they’re ill, features pharmacists, community opticians, dentists, the self-referral
16 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST
people aged five years and above will probably obtain sufficient vitamin D from sunlight when they are outdoors alongside foods that naturally contain or are fortified with vitamin D.
From October to March, however, everyone aged five and over has to rely on dietary sources of vitamin D, but, since vitamin D is found only in a small number of foods, the government considers that it may be difficult to get enough from foods that naturally contain vitamin D and/ or fortified foods alone, and so are recommending a supplement.
It is also advising that children aged between one and four should be given a daily supplement containing 10μg vitamin D.
physiotherapy service and minor injuries units.
The campaign kicked off on Tuesday 28 November with pharmacy and featured a video starring Wishaw pharmacist Chris Johnstone.
‘A lot of people don’t realise how easy it is to get treatment at their pharmacy,’ Chris said. ‘It’s always worth going to the pharmacy first for advice first as we may be able to save them a trip to their GP or A&E.’
To view the videos visit nhslanarkshire. org,uk/services/know-who-to-turn-to for more information.
VIAGRA MOVES FROM POM TO P:
ARE YOU READY? In what is potentially the biggest POM to P switch ever, Pfizer have announced that the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted the reclassification of Viagra Connect (sildenafil) as a P medicine for the treatment of the symptoms of erectile dysfunction in men aged 18 and over.
Viagra Connect is the first medicine for erectile dysfunction to be reclassified from Prescription Only Medicine (POM) to Pharmacy (P) status in the UK. (Viagra 25mg, 50mg and 100mg film-coated tablets will remain available as a prescription medicine.)
Viagra Connect, which is indicated in adult men with erectile dysfunction (ED), contains the active ingredient sildenafil, which belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) inhibitors. It works for men with ED by helping to relax the blood vessels in the penis, allowing blood to flow into the penis when sexually stimulated.
Pfizer is currently working on plans for the launch of Viagra Connect in the UK in the spring of 2018. In the interim, the company will be implementing an extensive training and education programme within pharmacies. When available, supply of the product will depend on your
assessment of its suitability for each man presenting with symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED).
In order to purchase Viagra Connect, men aged 18 and over will need to answer your questions about their symptoms, their general health, and any other medications they are taking, so that you can determine whether Viagra Connect is suitable for them.
You should also advise men to follow up with their doctor at their earliest convenience within six months of first being supplied the product, so that any potential underlying conditions or risk factors associated with erectile dysfunction can be investigated. In cases where you believe the product is unsuitable for clinical reasons, you should advise men to see their doctor for further assistance.
In addition to Viagra Connect, Viagra
‘The availability of Viagra Connect in pharmacies from next year,’ said Dr Berkeley Phillips, UK Medical Director at Pfizer Ltd, ‘will offer men who are eligible for the product a new and convenient way to access sildenafil, a commonly-prescribed treatment for erectile dysfunction[i]. We understand some men may avoid seeking support and treatment for this condition, so we believe giving them the option to talk to a pharmacist and buy Viagra Connect could be a real step forward in encouraging more men into the healthcare system.’
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