new ‘best in class’ hand sanitiser


NPA IN FOCUS


Flu season has finally hit us and nPa members are reminded of the various resources they have at their disposal. We know community pharmacies have been reintroducing vaccination services in a risk-managed manner.


(L-R): Stephen Mullan, Torax Biosciences Laboratory Technician; Harry Dunlop, Director of HDM Marketing; Jarlath Hegarty, Director of HDM Marketing and Dr Lawrence McGrath PhD, MSc, TD, Torax Biosciences Managing Director.


Torax Biosciences has launched a revolutionary new, clinically-approved hand sanitiser proven to kill 99.99 per cent of bacteria and viruses.


ToraSan is formulated and developed by scientists to meet internationally- recognised quality standards. Products are manufactured under strict laboratory conditions at the company’s headquarters in northern Ireland, led by Managing Director, Dr Lawrence Mcgrath PhD, MSc, TD.


ToraSan’s unique formula provides a minimum concentration of 75 per cent isopropyl, certified by the World health Organisation to provide the optimum level of protection against bacteria and viruses. Many hand sanitisers only provide between 60-70 per cent alcohol concentration, which can be incapable of killing viruses.


‘ToraSan products are manufactured to the World health Organisation’s recommended formulation and are independently tested and verified to ensure the integrity of antibacterial and antiviral properties,’ explains Dr Mcgrath. ‘ToraSan is formulated using isopropyl, which is the gold standard in antibacterial and antiviral defence. not only does isopropyl provide optimal protection but it’s also kinder to skin. ethanol-based sanitisers, whilst being potentially less effective, can also cause dry and cracked skin, or lead to more severe skin conditions with prolonged use. ToraSan also contains Tea Tree Oil, which helps protect the skin, providing its own well-known anti- inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial qualities.


In a major move for the company, leading medical supply distributor hDM Marketing, based in Tobermore, recently signed a new deal with Torax Biosciences to supply ToraSan hand sanitiser to 300 pharmacies across the island of Ireland.


‘Since the beginning of the pandemic, consumer awareness of hand sanitisers has not only increased, but we are seeing a switch now to more educated consumers actively researching products to ensure they are buying the best, most effective formulations on the market,’ added harry Dunlop, Director of hDM Marketing. ’Safety is at the forefront of everyone’s minds and, for us, ToraSan is leading the way in providing that reassurance we all need as the pandemic continues into the autumn and winter months.’


not only does ToraSan offer the highest levels of protection on the market, but the light-weight mist formula ensures quick drying on the hands without any residual stickiness and its fresh aroma and slick design makes this a first-class product. For us, no other hand sanitiser compares. ToraSan is available as an Instant hand Sanitiser Spray in a range of volumes, from 50ml handbag bottles to 500ml desk bottles. In addition,


ToraSan is available in 5 litre quantities as a liquid or adapted gel for commercial use.


If you are interested in becoming a distributor or stockist, please contact neil gillies at neil@torasan.co.uk or on +44 7919 493 797. For more information visit www.torasan.co.uk.


all resources within the nPa vaccination services pack have been designed or adapted to include cOVID-19 specific measures.


They can be used to support delivery of both nhS and private vaccination services, as well as other vaccination services.


Scotland Administrative Activity Planner


go to www.npa.co.uk/npa- vaccination-services-resources-202 0-2021 for further information.


New courses from the NPA


The nPa has launched three new training courses to support the professional development of pharmacy staff. existing programmes to meet member needs and the challenges of cOVID-19 have also been enhanced.


The new courses include BTec Diploma in the principles and practice for pharmacy technicians, Medicines counter and dispensing assistant course and accuracy checking for dispensers.


Don’t forget that the nPa offers training programmes for every role within your pharmacy from the delivery driver through to the pharmacy owner.


Administrative tasks can take many forms – NHS paperwork, local authority requirements, health and safety regulations, pharmacy professional regulation, compliance with employment law, audits, Government initiatives, and so on. NPA Members have regularly fed back the challenge they face in remembering and coordinating all of the administrative activities they need to undertake and are understandably concerned that they may forget an important task. This ‘Administrative Activity Planner’ has been designed to help members manage this challenge and has been created by studying the requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council, NHS Scotland and other stakeholders. The planner has been put together by looking at the requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council and other key administrative requirements for 2019/2020.


If you have any questions please contact Member Services via email at training@npa.co.uk or telephone 01727 800402.


Go to www.npa.co.uk/information- and-guidance/administrative- activity-planner-scotland-2/ to view online. Hard copies of the planner are available on request.


Ask Your Pharmacist Week


The nPa’s annual ask your Pharmacist Week is rapidly approaching again. The


Supporting Excellence: resource for Scottish NPA members


The Supporting Excellence resource pack supports members to look strategically at your own business and plan for the future through


When I meet members around the country, the same issue keeps popping up – workforce shortages. Like all the pharmacy sectors, community pharmacy is also facing a workforce shortage, although it is geographically variable. Some areas find it harder to recruit than others. The NPA is part of a working group to develop resources on promoting community pharmacy as a career choice, with roles not just for pharmacists but for the whole pharmacy team. Contact me on j.oman@npa.co.uk or call 07538 192588 for more information.


Janice Oman


Scotland Representation Manager


four topics: Quality Improvement, Operating Efficiently, Growing Your Business and You and Your Team. The Supporting Excellence resource pack is available in hard copy and USB by request.


Upskill staff for better GPhC inspection reports


With the introduction of the pharmacy inspections website, members of the public can easily find information about the pharmacies they use. They can also see how well a pharmacy is performing against five principles which include governance, staff, premises, services and equipment and facilities. The site also features an online ‘knowledge hub’ for the pharmacy team, with examples of excellent, good and poor practice identified through pharmacy inspections. The GPhC analysis shows that investing in staff is a key driver of performance against the standards. The NPA offers flexible learning options to suit training needs. Go to www.npa.co.uk/ learning-and-development for more information, or call me on 07538 192588 to discuss any concerns and how to best prepare for an inspection.


This year’s theme is community pharmacy’s position within the local healthcare team, working alongside gPs and others to provide patient-centred care. campaign materials will be available to download from the nPa website or pharmacies can order bespoke materials from the nPa.


Pharmacy Coronacasts If you haven’t done so already, make some time to listen to nPa’s podcast series ‘Pharmacy coronacasts’ – where high profile figures discuss life on the nhS frontline during the coronavirus pandemic.


In episode five, where the theme is ‘are pharmacies going to go forwards or backwards?’, Leslie Mcarthur of holmPharm in Falkirk describes the many positive developments in Scotland. go to www.soundcloud.com/national- pharmacy-association to listen.


NPA member forum in March


Stories from the NHS Frontline


This regular free event provides an opportunity to discuss current Scottish pharmacy practice with other contractors and members of the NPA team. The forums are very popular and there are always lively discussions taking place. It’s a great networking opportunity between NPA members and a useful platform to gain information and discuss what matters to independent community pharmacy. If you would like more information about the next Scottish forum in March, have suggestions for the agenda or would like to register, please email j.oman@npa.co.uk.


We wanted to create a public platform from which pharmacy teams can describe their experiences in their own words.


Overall it makes for a very authentic and compelling story of service and resilience, about which everyone can be proud. To read these stories - and to share your own - go to www.nhsfrontline.com.


nPa published online a collection of stories from pharmacy teams across the country, showcasing the value of community pharmacy during the coronavirus pandemic.


campaign, which raises awareness of the value of community pharmacy and pharmacy services, takes place from 2 to 9 november.


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