Helping - GreenCross Publishing

Transcription

Helping - GreenCross Publishing
assistant
pharmacy
Issue 3 Volume 4
•
a u t u m n 2 0 11
Helping
the medicine
go
down
Swallowing pills:
problems and
solutions
Headlice
beating the
beasties
Fish for sport
Part 3 of our series for
e500 holiday voucher –
plus super follow up prizes
The fundamentals
of skin care
Katie Power
MUCUS TAKING HOLD?
BEN/045/00
HELP GET IT OFF
YOUR CHEST
McNeil Healthcare (Ireland) Limited, Airton Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. PA 823/35/1. This product is not subject to medical prescription. Further information is available upon request.
Own-Label Vitamins, Minerals
Own-Label
Vitamins,
Minerals
and Supplements
Since
1989
Own-Label
Vitamins,
Minerals
and Supplements
Since
1989
and Supplements Since 1989
No contract,
No contract,
No set up costs,
No
No contract,
set up costs,
No commitment
No
up costs,
No set
commitment
About Premier Health
No
commitment
About
Premier Health
• ProvidersofOwn-Labelsince1989
About Premier Health
• ProvidersofOwn-Labelsince1989
Soldinover1,000Pharmacies
• Soldinover1,000Pharmacies
Thehighestqualityatapricethat’sright
• ProvidersofOwn-Labelsince1989
• Thehighestqualityatapricethat’sright
Auniquerangenotfoundinsupermarketsor
• Soldinover1,000Pharmacies
• nationalchains
Auniquerangenotfoundinsupermarketsor
• Thehighestqualityatapricethat’sright
nationalchains
• Auniquerangenotfoundinsupermarketsor
nationalchains
Don’thaveausablelogo?
Free branding for your range
Free branding for your range
Don’thaveausablelogo?
Weprovidefreelogotemplates...
Free branding for your range
Weprovidefreelogotemplates...
Don’thaveausablelogo?
So simple to get started
So simple to get started
Weprovidefreelogotemplates...
Threesimplestepsthatgiveyouagreatrange...
Threesimplestepsthatgiveyouagreatrange...
So simple
to get
started
How
do i get
started
How
do i get started
Threesimplestepsthatgiveyouagreatrange...
It’seasy.Supplyuswithyourstorelogo,whichwe
incorporateintoourlabeltemplate.Yousignitoff,
It’seasy.Supplyuswithyourstorelogo,whichwe
andthenwesupplyyourgoods.Simple!Formore
incorporateintoourlabeltemplate.Yousignitoff,
information,logontowebsite.
It’seasy.Supplyuswithyourstorelogo,whichwe
andthenwesupplyyourgoods.Simple!Formore
How do i get started
incorporateintoourlabeltemplate.Yousignitoff,
information,logontowebsite.
andthenwesupplyyourgoods.Simple!Formore
information,logontowebsite.
Testimonials
No contract,
No set up costs,
“Selling really well,
No commitment
offering the customer
a top quality Pharmacy
own branded product at
affordable prices.”
Mike Walsh, Walsh’s Pharmacy,
Fermoy, Co. Cork.
“The range has been a huge
Testimonials
success. It’s eye catching,
prices
are good, and orders
“Sellingreallywell,offeringthecustomera
Testimonials
are
delivered quickly.”
topqualityPharmacyownbrandedproductat
“Sellingreallywell,offeringthecustomera
affordableprices.”Mike
Walsh, Walsh’s Pharmacy,
Eamonn
Brady,
Testimonials
topqualityPharmacyownbrandedproductat
Fermoy,
Co.
Cork.
Whelehans
Pharmacy,
affordableprices.”Mike
Walsh, Walsh’s Pharmacy,
“Sellingreallywell,offeringthecustomera
“Therangehasbeenahugesuccess.
38
Pearse
St.,
Fermoy, Co. Cork.Mullingar.
topqualityPharmacyownbrandedproductat
Itseyecatching,pricesaregood,and
affordableprices.”Mike Walsh, Walsh’s Pharmacy,
“Therangehasbeenahugesuccess.
ordersaredeliveredquickly.”
“Customers
trust our name,
Fermoy,
Co. Cork.
Itseyecatching,pricesaregood,and
Eamonn Brady, Whelehans Pharmacy,
ordersaredeliveredquickly.”
and
have
a
great
loyalty to our
38
Pearse St, Mullingar.
“Therangehasbeenahugesuccess.
Eamonn
Brady,
Whelehans
Pharmacy,to offer
Pharmacy.
We are delighted
Itseyecatching,pricesaregood,and
“Customer’strustourname,andhave
38 Pearse St, Mullingar.
an
own brand range that brings real
ordersaredeliveredquickly.”
agreatloyaltytoourPharmacy.Weare
Eamonn Brady,
Whelehans
Pharmacy,
“Customer’strustourname,andhave
savings
in these
difficult
times.”
delightedtoofferanownbrandrange
38
Pearse
St,
Mullingar.
agreatloyaltytoourPharmacy.Weare
Sean
Foley, Meath Street Pharmacy
thatbringsrealsavingsinthesedifficulttimes.”
delightedtoofferanownbrandrange
Sean
Foley, Meath
Street Pharmacy
and
Foley’s
“Customer’strustourname,andhave
and
Foley’s
Pharmacy,
Thomas
St.,
thatbringsrealsavingsinthesedifficulttimes.”
Pharmacy,
Thomas
St,
Dublin
8.
agreatloyaltytoourPharmacy.Weare
Dublin
8. Meath Street Pharmacy and Foley’s
Sean Foley,
delightedtoofferanownbrandrange
Pharmacy, Thomas St, Dublin 8.
thatbringsrealsavingsinthesedifficulttimes.”
Sean Foley, Meath Street Pharmacy and Foley’s
Pharmacy, Thomas St, Dublin 8.
Tel. 021 4318875 Fax. 021 4318727
Tel.
021 4318875 Fax. 021 4318727
Email.info@premierhealth.iewww.premierhealth.ie
Email.info@premierhealth.iewww.premierhealth.ie
Tel. 021 4318875 Fax. 021 4318727
Email.info@premierhealth.iewww.premierhealth.ie
assistant
pharmacy
•
a u t u m n 2 0 11
contents
Issue 3 Volume 4
Pharmacy Assistant
is produced by
GreenCross Publishing
as a supplement to Irish
Pharmacist.
GreenCross Publishing is a recently established
publishing house which is jointly owned by Graham
Cooke and Maura Henderson.
Graham can be contacted at
grahamgreencrosspublishing.ie
Maura at mauragreencrosspublishing.ie
© Copyright GreenCross Publishing 2011
2
5
9
13
21
25
29
The contents of Pharmacy
Assistant are protected by
copyright. No part of this
publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form by any
means – electronic, mechanical
or photocopy recording or
otherwise – whole or in part,
in any form whatsoever for
advertising or promotional
purposes without the prior
written permission of the editor
or publishers.
News
Helping the medicine go down
Swallowing pills – problems and solutions.
Make up workshop
Fundamentals of skin care
Katie Power from the School of Make-up Artistry
in Galway shares her tips on skin care.
Competition – Essential fats draw
Part 3 of a 4 part series on the benefits of
essential fats.
Gaye Godwin discusses the many benefits of
omega 3 for sportspeople.
Hot topic
Headlice – getting down to the nitty gritty.
Products
Crossword
Disclaimer
The views expressed in Pharmacy
Assistant are not necessarily
those of the publishers, editor
or editorial advisory board.
While the publishers, editor and
editorial advisory board have
taken every care with regard
to accuracy of editorial and
advertisement contributions, they
cannot be held responsible for
any errors or omissions contained.
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
1
in the news...
New degree for pharmacy
technicians
The Athlone Institute of Technology has announced details of a
new add-on degree for pharmacy technicians.
The new BSc in Clinical Pharmacy Practice (Level 7) will
provide pharmacy technicians with an opportunity to advance
their role in pharmacy practice by providing technicians with
additional skills in the areas of clinical pharmacy, medicines
management, purchasing, clinical governance, ethics and
aseptic practices.
It is envisaged that upon completion of this course the
pharmacy technician will be appropriately equipped to lessen
the workload of the pharmacist by taking on business-related
tasks, assisting with the decision-making process in relation to
practice management and clinical issues, while supporting and
enhancing the quality of the healthcare provision.
The new programme will also feature a unique work
placement module, which will enable technicians to gain
valuable experience of the culture, nature and structure of a
working environment in the field. Commenting on the launch of the new programme, Dr
Pearse Murphy, Head of Department of Nursing and Health
Science, said this new degree will enhance the skill sets that
our graduates bring to the workplace and equip them for a
wider variety of jobs. “The role of pharmacists is evolving to
a more patient-centred approach and pharmacy technicians
are required to bring new competencies that will support this
development,” he said.
Applications are currently being accepted for this new degree
programme, which is open to pharmacy technicians who hold a
higher certificate (Level 6) qualification in this area.
For further information log on to: www.ait.ie/add-on.
AIT’s Admissions Office can be contacted by email at admissions@
ait.ie and via phone on 090 646 8130.
The Pharmaceutical Assistants
Association
Annual Conference and AGM
9th October 2011
Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8.
(A dinner will be hosted by the Pharmaceutical Assistants Association
on the previous evening at 8.00pm in the same venue.)
The conference will start with registration
at 9.30am on Sunday.
Speakers
11.00am Anna Clarke (Diabetic Association)
12.00pm Elaine Orr (RoC)
1.00 pm Lunch
The AGM will commence at 2.00pm.
New members are very welcome
Those expecting to attend should contact:
Maureen Lambe, 55 Mount Prospect Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3.
Email: paacommittee@gmail.com
2
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
Nurofen Express roadshow
At the recent
Nurofen
Express
roadshow
were Hazel
Phelan,
Donal Mac
Conaill and
Frances
Mannion.
(Hazel and
Francis are
from Collins
Pharmacy,
Phibsboro
and Donal is
from Errigal
Pharmacy,
Drimnagh).
Tooth whitening products over
the internet – “dangerous”
The Irish Dental Association has warned patients of the danger of many
tooth whitening products saying many of them range from ‘useless
to dangerous’. The Association has also expressed its concern about
unsupervised tooth whitening.
The warning coincides with new plans from the European Commission to regulate the use of hydrogen peroxide, the chemical used in
tooth whitening.
Under the new regulations, which should come into force this month,
only fully qualified dentists will be permitted to provide this service.
Tom Feeney, IDA representative on the Council of European Dentists,
and a Dublin based dentist believes regulation of the sector is long overdue and said the new measures would safeguard patient safety which is
the number one priority.
‘Dentists are fully qualified to carry out a full oral examination, make
a diagnosis on the basis of that examination and the patient’s full dental
history and then decide if the use of a tooth whitening product is appropriate. Other people practising tooth whitening do not have the
ability to do that and the use of tooth bleaching products may be totally
inappropriate and may cause serious problems. There are also issues to
do with infection control, the safe disposal of contaminated waste and
indemnity insurance issues so we hope the Minister for Health, Dr James
Reilly will fully support this measure’ Feeney said.
Feeney warned that some teeth whitening products available on
the internet contain very high levels of hydrogen peroxide and these
could be lethal in the wrong hands. At the other end of the scale some
products contain very low levels of hydrogen peroxide and these are
next to useless.
‘To be effective a product has to have over 3% hydrogen peroxide
and the new regulations from the European Commission will prohibit
products containing over 6% hydrogen peroxide. The new regulations
will ensure that properly qualified dentists are carrying out what is a
dental procedure and that safe products are being used.’ Feeney said.
Feeney also advised pregnant women and young people under 16
not to have their teeth whitened.
‘Tooth whitening is a safe procedure if carried out by a dentist but
it’s a procedure which shouldn’t be repeated too often and maintaining good dental health should be the priority. As a rough guide once a
year should be sufficient. We don’t recommend it for pregnant women,
children under 16 or heavy smokers or drinkers as it can cause particular
problems for each of these groups’ Feeney concluded.
in the news...
Allergies are good for
something!
Taller women more likely
to get cancer
For people who are plagued with allergies the notion that
they might provide some benefit sounds like a sick (pun
intended) joke.
For some time scientists have speculated that the presence
of allergies is a sign that our immune system is working. It is
argued that allergies are the body’s response to the presence
of allergy triggers such as dander and pollen. But the good
news is that while the body is reacting against these everyday
items, it may also be attaching budding cancer cells.
For the past twenty years it has been noted that people
who suffer from everyday allergies such as asthma, eczema
and hayfever a have slightly lower risk of getting certain
cancers.
Danish researchers decided to investigate and they
recently published their findings in the BMJ Open online
journal. The researchers tracked 17,000 adults who were
tested for contact allergies between 1984 and 2008. Contact
allergies are reactions to contact with metals (nickel), poison
ivy, hair dye, and other materials which can cause skin
irritation.
After checking the subjects long-term health against the
Danish national cancer registry they discovered that people
with allergies had lower rates of skin and breast cancer.
Interestingly they found a link
between contact allergies and
a greater risk of cancer
of the bladder which
they attributed to an
allergy to hair dye. A
previous study had
already suggested
a link between
bladder cancer and
the use of hair dye.
Skin allergies
prompt the
production of
immune system T
cells. The authors
speculate that
when the
immune
system
goes into
‘overdrive’
in this fashion any
cancer cells are
also attacked and
destroyed.
Taller women are more likely to develop cancer according
to the largest study of links between height and the
disease.
According to the study which was published in the
journal, Lancet Oncology, a woman’s chance of getting
cancer rises by 16% for every extra 4 inches in height.
The study which analysed data on some 97,000 women
with cancer who were between 5ft and 5ft 9in tall showed
that taller women have a higher risk of getting at least 10
types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, skin and bowel
cancer, as well as malignant melanoma and leukaemia.
In woman of average height the overall incidence of
cancer is 850 cancers per 100,000 women per year. In those
around 5ft tall it is 750 cancers per 100,000 women per
year. But in those around 5ft 9in, it is about 1,000 cancers
per 100,000 women per year.
The research found that for every extra 4in
in height, the risk of breast cancer rose
by 17%, of ovarian cancer by 17%, and
of womb cancer by 19%. The exact
reason for the link is unclear but
the researchers speculate that
hormones linked to growth
in childhood could also
result in a greater risk of
cancer in later years;
and that tall people
simply have more
chance of cancerous
cell changes because
they have more cells.
“The most likely
explanation is that
hormonal changes
that are related to
tallness in women may
also be related to growth
abnormalities, especially
in the breast, that lead
to cancer,” said Professor
Karol Sikora, the medical
director of CancerPartnersUK
private treatment centres.
“Dietary factors may also
be important, especially
in relation to the dramatic
rise in the incidence of
colorectal cancer in tall
women.”
Sara Hiom of Cancer
Research UK said: “Tall
people should not be
alarmed by these results.
Most people are not a lot
taller than average, and
their height will have
only a small effect on
their cancer risk.”
Correction
News item page 6
An error appeared on page 6 of our last issue. The headline
read: Gum disease kills two Irish people every week. It should
of course have read: Mouth cancer kills two Irish people every
week. We apologise for the error.
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
3
NE
W!
A new invention...
...that makes tablets easy to swallow...
...and taste good.
• MedCoat® offers an easy and effective solution for
people with difficulty swallowing tablets.
Trade price – €3.00 per single
1 doz in a counter display unit
R.R.P. – €3.99
Available from all wholesalers
Distributed by
094 9024000
he
th
al
Helping
the medicine
go down
– swallowing pills:
problems and
solutions
Difficulties with
swallowing
pills and
tablets can
affect any
age group
but it has
particular
implications
for children
and older
people. Such
difficulties
also give rise
to problems in
relation to medication
compliance.
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
5
h
he
al
t
M
any people experience psychological as
well as physiological difficulties when
it comes to swallowing tablets. The act
of swallowing medication is so simple
for those of us who don’t suffer such
problems; we simply place the tablet
on our tongue and wash it down with a glass of water.
But for those less fortunate fear alone can cause them to
experience nausea and gagging during the few seconds
between placing the pill on their tongue and reaching for
the glass of water. This reaction is known as pill phobia.
coated tablets – there is a reason why they are coated – some
of the contents of these pills taste disgusting. And if you do
manage to swallow the foul tasting powder, the moment it hits
your stomach the chances are your system will reject it and you
will simply vomit up the contents.
The fear may lead many people to cease taking their
prescribed medication altogether or to skipping their dose.
Pill anxiety may even affect very young children. Toddlers
can be so reluctant to take a pill that the whole experience can
cause panic and fear in the child and be equally upsetting for the
parent.
Fear and loathing
But difficulties with swallowing tablets are not confined
soley to the very young and the very old. It has been
estimated that up to 40% of those aged between 5 and
70 have avoided swallowing medication on one occasion
or another either through fear or due to some physical
problem. As often as not these generally healthy young and
middle aged people are driven to various strategies to help
them take so much as a vitamin pill. Some will cut the pill
into tiny pieces or even crush them into powder. Others will
try hiding the tablet in food. But the problem with crushing
tablets and breaking them up is that some of the content
may be lost, so the patient risks not taking the correct dose.
Compliance
As for older people, many of them suffer from a syndrome called
‘dry throat’ (see panel). Many such people reside in nursing
homes or hospital. They may be suffering from dementia, and/
or loss of mobility. Some older people’s ability to swallow may be
impaired because they suffer from dysphagia – a disease which
often arises because of the presence of other problems such as
reflux disease, stroke, spinal cord injury or cancer of the head,
neck or oesophagus.
For older people who might have to take several different
kinds of tablet everyday this has serious implications, as failure to
comply with a medication regimen can mean that they endanger
their health and ultimately their life.
Foul tasting
The problem is made worse if the pill is coated or is a timerelease tablet. Tampering with a time-release pill is pointless
and defeats the purpose of such tablets as the point of the
medication is that it should dissolve in your body over time
– for this to happen it must be swallowed whole. As regards
Solutions
Fortunately there are a number of ways of treating the condition
depending on who suffers and whether the problem is physical
or psychological.
If the person is in hospital or a nursing home a feeding tube
might need to be used. Obviously this is rather unpleasant and not
practical on a long term basis.
One Irish company providing a solution is Fannin Ltd, who in
conjunction with their partner Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd target
swallowing difficulties through their range of liquid medicines.
With their dedicated GMP manufacturing facilities based in the UK,
Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd has been providing liquid medicines
for over 40 years. They are dedicated to research and development,
manufacturing and marketing of oral liquid medicines, with a
product range of more than 90 different oral liquid formulations,
including corticosteroids, analgesics, diuretics, antibiotics and antpsychotics. Fannin Ltd is the exclusive Irish distributor of Rosemont
Pharmaceuticals Ltd through Movianto and all other wholesalers.
‘‘
Dry mouth, also known
as xerostomia, results
when the glands that
make saliva fail to
work as they should.
6
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
Need a liquid medicine?
We deliver the perfect balance.
Why should you have to compromise on the quality of medication
needed by patients with swallowing difficulties?
For over 40 years Rosemont has specialised in developing a diverse
range of over 90 different oral liquid medicines for patients who battle
to swallow traditional solid formulations. Each Rosemont product is
easy to take and consistently achieves the desired performance.
The vast selection and proven efficacy provides patients with a
convenient new way to administer their medicine and help restore
harmony to their lives.
First Call for exempt sourced medicinal products*
For Enquiries contact
Fannin Pharmaceutical at:
Tel: +353 1 290 7000
Fax: +353 1 290 7111
Email:info@fannin.ie
www.fannin.ie
For ordering contact your local
wholesaler or direct at:
Tel: + 353 1 630 5555
FN 2010/06/001 Date of Preparation: June 2010 *Under Medicinal Products (Control of Placing on the Market) Regulations 2007 (SI 540 of 2007), it is permitted to supply products without
a product authorisation on the order of a practitioner for a patient(s) under his/her care. Subject to Schedule 1 Requirements.
h
he
al
t
A note on dry mouth
Everyone suffers from dry mouth at some stage,
either because we are nervous, under stress
or suffering from a hangover. But if you have
a dry mouth all or most of the time it can be
uncomfortable and can lead to serious health
problems. Besides interfering with speaking it can
lead to tooth decay and interfere with your ability
to swallow – not just food – but also medication.
Symptoms of dry mouth include:
• dry, rough tongue
• trouble chewing, tasting, or swallowing,
• trouble speaking
• burning sensation in the mouth
• dry feeling in the throat
• mouth sores
• cracked lips.
Causes
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, results
when the glands that make saliva fail to work as
they should. If this happens, there might not be
enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. There are
several reasons why salivary glands might not
work properly. The person may have suffered
nerve damage, be undergoing radiation or
chemotherapy or be suffering from Sjögren’s
syndrome, diabetes or HIV. Indeed quite often dry
mouth arises as a side effect of medication.
Another exciting introduction to the Irish market is the arrival
of a product called Medcoat – a tablet-coating system enabling
patients to easily and quickly apply a special coating to their
pills or tablets. The coating masks the tablet¹s taste and makes
the tablets slippery, making them much easier to swallow.
Independent studies conducted by MedCoat have shown that
98% of people using Medcoat found it much easier to take
their meds. This product should have a significant impact on
problem with compliance.
Finally, diseases that reduce the production of saliva can
be treated with artificial saliva or over-the-counter and
prescription drugs that stimulate the production of saliva.
8
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
Treatment
Anyone suffering from dry mouth should avoid
caffeinated drinks such as tea coffee and cola. They
should sip water and sugarless drinks throughout
the day. This will make speaking and chewing easier.
They should also avoid cigarettes, alcohol and salty
good.
There are a number of sugarless gums and
lozengers available which also help to stimulate
saliva.
One of the more effective products for dry mouth
on the market is BioXtra. In a recent double blind
test on patients suffering with post-radiotherapy dry
mouth - symptoms of dryness, chewing, swallowing,
taste and speech difficulties and burning sensations
were all greatly reduced. BioXtra is so effective
because it mimics saliva¹s natural protective activity.
‘‘
Tampering with a
time-release pill
is pointless and
defeats the purpose
of such tablets…
make-upworkshop
The
fundamentals of
skincare
Katie Power,
School of Make-up Artistry, Galway
The use of incorrect skin
care products can be
just as harmful for your
clients’ skin as no skin
care routine at all.
I
n order for us to look our best, it is important
to maintain a good skincare routine. Many
factors influence the state of our skin, for
example, our stress levels, sleeping patterns,
whether we are exposed to air conditioning
and central heating on a regular basis, and of
course poor diet – the list goes on.
So we need to know what type of skin we are
dealing with before we decide which products to
use.
Skin type
You can help your client analyse her skin type by
asking her a few simple questions. What is her skin
like first thing in the morning – is it dull or greasy,
does she prefer to cleanse using water or cotton
pads? It is also important to ask her to take note of
what her skin is like throughout the day – does she
need to use face powder? Does it get shiny and if
so, is it mainly down the centre panel of her face or
on the cheek area?
If her skin is quite greasy in the morning and
it gets shiny all over her face during the day, she
may have oily skin. If water on the face makes her
skin feel tight and if her skin never becomes shiny
during the course of the day, then her skin may
be dry or dehydrated or even sensitive. If her skin
tends to get shiny just on the centre panel, her
skin type may be combination.
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
9
make-upworkshop
Characteristics of normal skin
• Skin is neither tight nor greasy
• Has an even skin colour
• Pores are barely evident.
Characteristics of dry skin
• Dull complexion
• Dry/flaky patches
• Thin epidermis.
Characteristics of oily skin
•
•
•
•
•
Greasy to the touch
Shine all over face
Prone to breakouts
Sallow complexion
Thicker epidermis.
Characteristics of sensitive skin
•
•
•
•
Red in colour
Tends to be dry
Reacts easily to external stimuli
Feels tight after washing with water.
combination skin
As the name suggests combination skin type may be a
combination of any of the above skin characteristics.
Once your client’s skin type has been ascertained you
can suggest products to suit her particular skin type.
‘‘
Morning cleansing is
extremely important
as it clears away the
toxins and impurities
which come to the
surface of the skin
during sleep.
Daily care
’’
As we known, morning cleansing is extremely important as
it clears away the toxins and impurities which come to the
surface of the skin during sleep. Without morning cleansing
and toning your customer risks causing congestion on
her skin – leading to breakouts. Toning the skin is very
important to help close the pores – by cleansing and not
toning she raises the risk creating open pores.
Equally important is part 3 of this ritual – moisturising
is vital to protecting the skin. The sun protection factor
(SPF) of the moisturiser is also important, remembering the
fairer the skin type the higher the SPF needed. In saying
this, even people with dark sallow skin need an SPF in their
moisturiser.
It is also important to cleanse, tone and nourish the skin
before bed. While cleansing her skin at night, your client
must ensure she removes every trace of make-up on her
skin and in so doing she will also be removing the buildup of pollutants that have attached themselves to her skin
during the day. Again toning is important to help close the
pores. Depending on her age and skin type, a nourishing
night cream may be needed, to help restore her skin while
she sleeps.
Care by skin type
Cross section of the skin
10
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
A client with oily skin should be advised to use a fluid
cleanser. A toner with witch hazel or hexachlorophene,
followed by a moisturiser which is oil-free and with an SPF.
Cleansing and toning is also needed at night. However
a night cream for women 30 years or younger is not
necessary.
A client with dry skin is better advised to use a cream (oilbased) cleanser, with an alcohol free toner, perhaps with
rosewater. A cream moisturiser, with vitamin E and glycerine
are good options, again with an SPF.
Cleansing and toning at night is also needed, and a night,
Nature’s
purest
gift...
Soothing,
Anti-irritating
Anti-inflammatory
Now Available nationwide in Ireland in selected pharmacies
IE.AVE.10.11.04
‘‘
make-upworkshop
From the age of 30
onwards the skin’s
production of natural
oils begins to slow
down, therefore from
the late 20s onwards,
anti ageing products
may be introduced to
the skin care routine.
12
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
’’
nourishing cream may also be added for clients 25 years or
older.
Clients lucky enough to have normal skin can opt for a
milk (water based) cleanser, a skin freshner or tonic to tone
the skin, followed by a light fluid moisturiser with an SPF.
Cleansing and toning again at night. Normal skin clients,
30 years or younger do not necessarily need a night cream.
Combination type
Combination skin types should use skin balancing products.
Many people suffer with dehydrated skin. This is common
due to exposure to central heating and air conditioning, and
also to not drinking enough water or fluids throughout the
day.
The difference between dehydrated skin and dry skin
is that dehydrated skin is lacking in water and dry skin is
lacking in oil. A tip for identifying skin type is to push gently
with the side of the finger on the lower part of the cheek;
if downward lines appear, your client is suffering from
dehydrated skin.
Even when the skin is excessively oily it may be lacking
in water. It is then important to introduce water based
products to the skin care routine. Glycerine is a good
ingredient as it is a humectant, which will help
attract water to the skin.
Care through the decades
From the age of 30 onwards the skin’s production
of natural oils begins to slow down, therefore
from the late 20s onwards, anti ageing products
may be introduced to the skin care routine.
Moisturisers should have the ability to penetrate
through to the third layer of the skin. Eye cream is
also essential, as the eye area has much thinner skin
in comparison to the rest of the face – that is why it
is the first area to show signs of ageing.
Caffine-based eye cream will help stimulate the
eye area: it also boosts circulation which in turn helps
reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
From the age of 40 our skin tends to develop more
expression lines, especially around the forehead, eyes
and the mouth. This is partly due to the effect of facial
expressions such as smiling and laughing – our skin is
required to contract and de-contract innumerable times
each day. When we reach the 40 plus age group our skin
does not de-contract as readily as it used to, therefore we
need moisturisers which penetrate down to the fourth layer
of the skin. Vitamin C is important in that it helps reduce the
appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
From the age of 50, and with the onset of the menopause
the skin becomes much drier. Rich creams with a
high SPF are now essential. Products should be
able to penetrate to the fifth layer of the skin.
From the age of 60, skin becomes much
finer. The best products for the older woman
are ones that contain calcium and vitamin A
which help repair and build the skin.
For more information on skin or
make-up, please log on to www.
schoolofmakeupartistry.ie or email
info@schoolofmakeupartistry.ie.
Essential fats series part 3
Fish for sport
Gaye Godkin MPH,
Nutrition (Hons) DipNT mNS
The Ancient Greeks
believed that good
health could only be
achieved by having
a positive lifestyle.
Hippocrates – often
referred to as the
Father of Medicine –
favoured the use of
diet and exercise as
cures for illness and
disease.
H
ippocrates believed that healthy lifestyle
behaviour is the most important way to
achieve long lasting health. This belief
became know as ‘the regime’ meaning a
combination of good food and exercise. His
theory was simple: ‘If there is any deficiency
in nutrition or insufficient exercise, the body will fall sick’.
Today we know that diet and exercise are the essential
components for health and wellbeing.
Irish sport
This is a very exciting time in Irish sport from golf to rugby
to boxing, many of our professional athletes have done us
proud and recently achieved prestigious international titles.
The recent publication of ‘The Irish Sports Monitor Report’
compiled by the Economic and Social Research Institute on
behalf of the Irish Sports Council, has revealed some positive
changes in our attitude to sport in Ireland. They found that
more people are now playing sports than ever. Participation
rates amongst adults have increased from 30.8% in 2008 to
33.5% in 2009. These figures are positive but we still need
to engage more people in sport to achieve good health as
a nation. Swimming remained the most popular activity.
According to the Irish Sports Council men are more likely
to engage in sport than women. They compared rates of
participation between males and females at the age of 20
years and found that only 36% of women played sport while
men faired far better with 65% participation rates.
Win a €500 holiday voucher!
Improve your knowledge of the
importance of fats in diet – in particular
the lack of omega 3 in the Irish diet
This is part 3 of a 4 part series on omega 3 fish oils.
Parts 1 and 2 are available online at www.shieldhealth.
ie. Shield Health has made this series possible through
an educational grant. Please ask your Shield Health
representative for a copy.
At the end of each article there will be 5 questions. Once
you have filled in the answers you should tear them off and
return to the address below.• The entrants with the most
correct answers will enter a draw for a holiday voucher
worth €500. Runner up prizes will also be given. This is a
unique educational opportunity for Pharmacy Assistants to
increase their nutritional knowledge and win a prize while
doing so.
Please send answers to:
The Editor, Pharmacy Assistant,
7 Adelaide Court, Adelaide Road,
Dublin 2.
Alternatively you can fax your answers to 01 4789449
or email maura@greencrosspublishing.ie
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
13
‘‘
Essential fats series part 3
If you train hard, you’ll
not only be hard,
you’ll be hard to beat.
Herschel Walker
’’
Impact on health and wellbeing
Nutrition
Exercise makes you feel and look healthier. It can improve
your physical appearance, body posture, energy, mood
and general outlook on life. It helps stave off chronic illness
and disease. Many of our modern day illnesses are as a
result of poor diet and lack of exercise. The onset of heart
disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity,
high cholesterol, cancer, osteoporosis and arthritis can be
prevented if we engage in physical exercise from an early
age. A study called ‘growing up in Ireland’ looked at the
lifestyle and dietary habits of children up to 9 years of age. It
found low levels of activity in these children with 1 in 4 being
either overweight or obese. Exercise is a fundamental part
of health and wellbeing across the life-course from young to
old. It is particularly important amongst the elderly. Regular
exercise can slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease
and is most effective in preventing mild depression. Muscle
wasting (sarcopenia) leading to falls and fractures accounts
for many deaths in the over 65s in Ireland. Being part of a club
or group can also provide an opportunity to make friendships
and prevent social isolation.
Whether you are on or off the track the body needs a
constant supply of nutrients for energy. When we exercise
we use more energy and need to consume good foods
to refuel. It is important to feed and nourish the body.
The fuel of the body is glucose. It needs a constant steady
supply. All foods can be broken down into glucose but
carbohydrates do it faster than protein and fats. However
excess carbohydrates are stored in the body as fats. Foods
high in sugar, including fruit sugar, are in the main the cause
of the obesity epidemic with fat having a lesser role to
play. Many people hear the word fat and they run the other
way. Essential fats, in particular omega 3, are an absolutely
vital component in the diet and perhaps even more so for
the sporty type person. Many studies have shown how
consuming a diet high in omega 3 fats helps weight loss by
increasing the body’s ability to burn fats. Sufficient good
fats also improve satiety and appetite control and you are
less likely to snack.
Omega 3 message
Fats serve as building blocks for every cell membrane in the
body. Since the anti-fat, low-fat health education from 1970s
many people are confused as to what they should actually
be eating. Contrary to what many people believe, the body
needs fat. Fatty acids play a key role in the construction
and maintenance of all healthy cells. Essential fats are now
gaining positive attention. Athletes are getting the message
that good fats, in particular essential fats, have a crucial role
to play in performance and recovery. Sports people have
special needs regarding dietary fats. Getting the correct
balance is essential for muscle and bone strength. Similarly,
body composition and weight control are important to
sports professionals.
Omega 3 and muscle
Many athletes are over-focused on reducing body mass
and body fat below levels that are consistent with longterm health performance. It is important to achieve a
14
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
Essential fats series balance between fat loss and muscle maintenance, repair
and growth. Muscle stores energy in the form of glycogen.
Under-nutrition will cause muscle to be broken down to
supply energy to the body. Consuming a diet high in omega
3 fat from fish will provide a steady flow of nutrients to
muscle cells. Studies have shown that EPA from omega 3
prevents the breakdown of muscle. EPA works by blocking
the enzyme which causes muscle breakdown in the body.
Vitamin D is a crucial component in muscle rebuilding
and repair. Lack of vitamin D increases stress fractures in
muscles. Omega 3 combined with vitamin D improves
muscle power significantly. This combination has positive
results in the prevention of sarcopenia – muscle wasting in
the elderly.
Omega 3 and inflammation
Sports people tend to devote considerable attention to
their diet. Athletes can over exercise. This places a huge
strain on all body systems and can result in excess wear and
tear. This process causes inflammation. Omega 3 is nature’s
anti-inflammatory agent. EPA from omega 3 can halt
and reduce the damage caused by excess inflammation.
Similarly people who suffer from exercise induced asthma
have shown promising results when supplemented with
omega 3. Heart rate and pulmonary function are very
important in sport. One intervention study found that
athletes who consumed 1 gram of omega 3 daily for
3 months reported improved measures of pulmonary
function. A greater heart beat improved the transportation
of oxygen and nutrients to working muscles.There are a
plethora of studies which have shown that athletes who
supplement with a high quality fish oil have better recovery
rates, less inflammatory induced injuries and overall
improved performance. Similarly for sports that demand
intense focus and concentration, omega 3 is a definite plus.
Sportspeople benefit most when they consume a ratio of at
least 2:1 EPA to DHA in combination with vitamin D.
part 3
Omega 3 benefits in sport
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Improved performance
Improves recovery from injury
Increases fat burning
Improves mood
Anti-inflammatory
Improves focus and concentration
Decreases body fat
Increases pulmonary function
Increases metabolism
Prevents breakdown of muscle
protein
Improves exercise induced asthma
Increased blood flow to muscles
Increased lean muscle mass
Prevents sarcopenia
Prevents irregular heartbeat
Supports bone health
‘‘
Studies have shown
that EPA from omega 3
prevents the breakdown
of muscle. EPA works
by blocking the enzyme
which causes muscle
breakdown in the body.
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
15
Essential fats series ‘‘
part 3
Sport is part of every
man and woman’s
heritage and its
absence can never
be compensated for.
Pierre de Coubertin
Essential for life
As an island nation our traditional fare used to be fish.
Research carried out by the Northern Ireland Centre for
food and health (NICHE) has shown that we in Ireland
and the UK have very low intakes of total omega 3 in our
diet with only 25% of the population consuming fish
weekly. The specific health benefits of consuming omega
3 in the diet are convincing, with athletes achieving
’’
greater benefits at higher dosages. Omega 3 is a useful
addition to any exercise programme, from elite athletes
to the non sporty type to the elderly to improve overall
wellbeing. Whether it is weight loss or improving your
fitness levels, or general health and wellbeing it is not
possible to live a healthy life without regular exercise.
If you don’t make time for exercise you may have to
make time for illness.
Your chance to win €500 holiday voucher
Runner up prizes – .250 and .100 holiday vouchers
Once you have read the article fill in the answers here. To enter the draw send your answers to the address or fax below.
Questions
Q1 Name the body’s main source of ‘fuel’?
A1
Q2 What percentage of the Irish population consumes fish
weekly?
A2
Q3 Lack of which vitamin causes stress fractures in muscles?
A3
Q4 What is the medical term for muscle wasting in the elderly?
A4
The entrants with the most correct answers will enter a draw for a
holiday voucher worth €500. Runner up prizes of €250 and €100
holiday vouchers will be awarded to second and third place. Watch
out for the next two articles in this series which will explore further
how the lack of omega 3 and the excessive amount of omega 6 in
our diet is responsible for many of our chronic illnesses. These will
appear in the autumn and winter editions.
Please tear off and send answers to:
The Editor, Pharmacy Assistant,
7 Adelaide Court, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2.
Alternatively you can fax your answers to 01 4789449
or email your answers to: maura@greencrosspublishing.ie
Name
Address
Q5 What component of omega 3 is nature’s anti-inflammatory?
A5
16
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
Email:
LINIcIN
Effective Treatment
For Head Lice
Linicin Shampoo is 100%
effective in eliminating
head lice
Linicin Lotion is
new to Ireland…
new to head lice!
Linicin Prevent
makes hair ‘invisible’
to head lice
• 10 minute treatment
• 15 minute treatment
• 100% effective
• Non chemical formulation
• Active ingredient - Dimeticone
• Contains no pesticides
• No risk of resistance
• Colourless, odourless
• Colourless, odourless
• No risk of resistance
• Easy to use, applied once daily,
and does not need to be rinsed out
• Non-flammable
• Suitable for children over 6 months
• No need to wash hair after use
• Suitable for pregnant and breast
feeding women
• Suitable for children over 2 years
• Non-flammable
• Suitable for use in asthma patients
• Suitable for children over 2 years
• Pack contains fine toothed stainless
steel comb
• No risk of resistance
Available in Pharmacies
NEW TO IRELAND
• Colourless with pleasant
neutral scent
10 mpiono
Sham
15 min
Lotion
Prevent
Spray
HOT
TOPIC
Getting down to the nitty gritty
combating
headlice
It is back to school time, so you can expect anxious parents to come
looking for a solution to the inevitable outbreak of headlice any day
soon. So how best to tackle this beasties?
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
21
HOT
TOPIC
H
eadlice are wingless insects – they cannot
fly, hop, jump, or swim, but they can crawl
– and they do – very fast. Lice are grey or
brown coloured, have six legs and are tiny –
about the size of a sesame seed when fully
grown.
Female headlice lay eggs that are smaller than a pinhead
and these attach themselves to your hair close to the
scalp. The eggs hatch about seven to 10 days later. When
headlice hatch they leave empty shells called nits which
cling to the hair.
Nits are white and can be mistaken for dandruff or dry
skin, however, unlike dry skin they stick to the hair and
don’t respond to normal shampooing.
Anyone who comes into close contact with a person
who already has headlice is at risk of contagion. This
includes the infected person’s clothing and belongings.
Children aged between 3 and 12 years of age and their
families are infected most often. Girls contract headlice
more often than boys and women contract them more
often than men.
Symptoms
The first symptom is obviously an itchy scalp. The location
of the itch is usually worse behind the ears or on the back
of the neck. The advice is to avoid scratching – easier said
than done – as the skin can become broken and infections
may develop.
Headlice aren’t always to blame for these types of
symptoms – the cause might in fact be dandruff or a
flare up of eczema. (In fact, eczema may be triggered by
repeated treatments with insecticides).
Very often the first indication of infection is the
presence of nits on the hair.
It’s also possible to develop ‘headlice phobia’, where
people feel they have an infestation because they know
of others who have been affected. For this reason it’s
essential to have a confirmed diagnosis before starting
treatment.
Causes
Anyone can get headlice, but they are most common in
children. This may be because of their close contact with
each other at school. You can only get headlice through
head-to-head contact. Headlice can only live for a short
time away from the scalp and those found away from the
head are usually dying.
Headlice can be found in all types and lengths of hair –
having headlice is not a sign that your hair is dirty, in fact
the cleaner the better as far as lice are concerned.
Detection
Headlice are hard to spot on the hair but a thorough
combining with a fine tooth comb will help to identify
their presence. This is called detection combing – the hair
is painstakingly combed section by section.
It is easier to comb the hair if it is wet, as headlice can
move rapidly in dry hair. It’s important to comb the entire
length of the hair from root to tip. A few teaspoons of
conditioner can be applied to slow up the lice (remember
to rinse out afterwards). After each stroke, check the comb
for lice. You can also comb hair over a white tissue, piece
‘‘
It is easier to comb
the hair if it is wet, as
headlice can move
rapidly in dry hair.
22
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
HOT
TOPIC
‘‘
Generally the
treatment needs
to be repeated
after seven days
to kill any new lice
that have hatched.
of plain paper or a bowl of water. But all of this takes time
– to do a proper detection you should set aside about 15
minutes to comb the hair thoroughly.
If your customers are in doubt about what they have
found, you could suggest that that they tape the suspected
louse to a piece of paper and come back and ask the
pharmacist for confirmation. You will then be able to advise
on suitable treatments.
’’
scalp and hair and left for at least 12 hours before being
washed out. Insecticides can cause side effects, particularly
scalp irritation.
Wet combing
There are basically three types of treatment available
• non-insecticides
• insecticides
• wet combing
This is a method of removing lice with the regular use of a
fine tooth comb, but it is quite time consuming. The hair
needs to be combed through the entire head of hair every
three days for at least two weeks. It is important that you
keep doing this until there have been three consecutive
sessions without seeing any lice.
Other treatments are available that contain essential oils
(e.g. tea tree), herbal extracts or homeopathic tinctures.
There is no scientific evidence to show that these work.
Non-insecticide products
After care
There are several non-insecticide products available to treat
headlice. These products, which are available as lotions,
liquids or shampoos, do not contain the same strong
chemicals as insecticides but instead kill the lice by coating
their surfaces.
Generally the treatment needs to be repeated after seven
days to kill any new lice that have hatched. The reason for
the second application is to kill any headlice that hatch from
the eggs after the first treatment.
Whichever treatment is used, a follow-up check using the
fine tooth comb should be carried out a few days after the
course of treatment.
If your client does find any eggs, it doesn’t necessarily
mean that the treatment has failed – the lice may have been
killed but the empty egg cases (nits) might still be there.
Of course your client might be unlucky enough to suffer a
re-infestation.
Treatment does sometimes fail, often because the
product isn’t used properly or because your client has
become resistant to that particular product, so it may to
time to change products.
Treatment
Insecticides
As with non-insecticides, insecticides should be applied
twice, with a seven-day interval between applications.
Because these contain chemicals a maximum of three
treatments should be used in any one course.
These products are either alcohol-based or water-based;
both types seem to be equally effective but. alcohol-based
insecticides are not suitable for everyone, particularly if
your client has eczema or asthma, in which case you should
suggest a water-based product. Water based products are
recommended for young children.
If your client is pregnant or breastfeeding you should
advise her to try wet combing instead, or ask for advise
from the pharmacist. Neither should children under the age
of two be treated with insecticides – use wet combing if
possible.
Usually the insecticide lotion should be rubbed into the
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
23
First Irish online reference site devoted to promoting self care
www.yourmedicines.ie
New site lists all leading Irish non-prescription medicines
Site also contains information about illnesses and the proper use of OTC
medicines available for their treatment.
Edited by Dr Martin Henman, the site not only acts as a reference guide for
pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, it also aims to encourage the
public in the correct approach to self-medication.
productnews
NEW NORMADERM Anti-Age
Around 30 years of age, even if teenage acne is over,
imperfections such as blemishes and blackheads can often
persist. It is also the time when the first signs of ageing appear. In
the case of imperfection prone skin, not only wrinkles, but also
dilated pores and uneven complexion become more visible.
Imperfection-prone skin ages differently and usual anti-ageing
products do not address open pores and irregular complexion.
In direct response, Vichy Laboratoires launch NEW Normaderm
Anti-Age, the 1st anti-imperfection and anti-wrinkle skincare.
Normaderm Anti-Age contains the best active ingredients
used in dermatology with clinically proven results against
imperfections and anti-ageing
Anti-Imperfections: Inspired by professional dermatological
peels, the two most effective anti-imperfection acids, LHA and
Glycolic Acid, are combined to fight imperfections. Both active
ingredients have a global and continuous regeneration effect on
the epidermis. They also have
anti-bacterial properties.
LHA (Lipo-hydroxy
acid) acts on the upper
layer of the epidermis
– it gently exfoliates
the epidermis and
unclogs pores while
helping cell renewal. It
stays 2 times longer in
the skin.
Glycolic Acid acts
deeper in the epidermis
– due to its small size, it
penetrates the epidermis easily,
rapidly and more deeply to
stimulate skin renewal from
inside.
Anti-Ageing: Vitamin
C is an active ingredient
used as a reference in anti-ageing.
Vitamin Cg (glucosylated Vitamin
C) has an anti-wrinkle effect. It
synthesizes collagen in the
skin and multiplies fibroblasts,
the cells at the origin of
new fibres, smoothing
the skin. Vitamin Cg also
contains anti-pigmenting
and depigmenting properties
which act at the source of
complexion irregularities. Dark
spots fade and complexion
becomes smoother and soft.
Effectiveness has been clinically
tested on more than 300 women, in 5
countries and on 2 continents under
dermatological control. Normaderm
Anti-Age offers a true double efficacy with
results visible in just 7 days.
86% of women see an instant smoothing action and 29% see
an increase of firmness after just 4hours.
Anti-imperfection action: 90% of women feel the skin is visibly
purer and 84% report elimination of imperfections. Anti-ageing
action: 81% feel wrinkles are smoothed, complexion is more
even (91%) and pores are tighter (93%)
At 4 weeks, never seen before self-assessment and clinically
proved double efficacy results.
Anti-imperfection action: 81% experience purified skin and
73% less visible imperfections. Blackheads have been reduced
by 22% and pores by 7% (Use test on 53 women with acne prone
skin).
Anti-ageing action: 100% find their skin smoother, fresher
and less tired, 98% feel the skin firmer, more even and younger
looking and 95% feel wrinkles are reduced. Crow’s feet wrinkles
are reduced by 9% .
Annual Pharmacy Prize-giving Awards at UCC
On Thursday 16th June, University College Cork held their annual
summer graduation conferring ceremony for the Bachelor of
Pharmacy degree programme at the School of Pharmacy, UCC.
Following the graduation ceremony, the annual pharmacy
prize-giving awards took place in the stunning Aula Maxima. The
Actavis Prize for Excellence in Pharmaceutics was awarded to top
student Maria Donovan. Maria had achieved the highest mark in
pharmaceutics and drug delivery over the four year pharmacy
degree.
Speaking at the event Actavis Ireland, Marketing Director Irene
Sheehan said that “Actavis are delighted to be able to sponsor
such a prestigious prize and are committed to supporting the
work of Irish Healthcare Professionals at all levels. Maria is a
worthy winner and has showed great dedication throughout
her four years in UCC. On behalf of all at Actavis I would like to
extend our congratulations to Maria and all the other graduates
and wish them well in their future careers. Actavis Ireland looks
forward to working closely with UCC on various projects in the
coming months and years ahead.”
Speaking at the event Dr Brendan Griffin, Lecturer in
Pharmaceutics said “The School of Pharmacy would like to
acknowledge Actavis Ireland for their generous sponsorship
of this prize, and for their continued interest in supporting
UCC programmes. In particular I would like to thank Ms Irene
Sheehan, Marketing Director, for taking the time out to present
this award.”
Dr Brendan Griffin, Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, Irene
Sheehan Marketing Director, Actavis Ireland, Maria
Donovan and Professor John Higgins, Head of College of
Medicine and Health.
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
25
productnews
New Purete Thermale Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover – for
Sensitive Eyes
Vichy Laboratoires have launched new Purete Thermale
Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover for sensitive eyes, which
limits lash loss and protects lashes day after day. new Purete
Thermale Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover is the first eye
make-up remover with anti-lash loss effect, giving exceptional
cleansing power and an optimal tolerance. It has a
dual-phased texture that instantly and gently removes
even the most resistant make-up. It is paraben free,
hypoallergenic and tested on sensitive skin and eyes
under dermatological and ophthalmological control. It
is suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
With soothing, fortifying and regenerating Vichy
Thermal Spa Water.
Purete Thermale Waterproof Eye Make-Up
Remover uses a groundbreaking combination of
two renowned anti-hairloss molecules – Arginine +
Taurine in a dual-phased ultra soft texture. Arginine
refills the lashes and stimulates microcirculation
that brings nutrition to the bulb (the eyelash root).
Taurine has a strengthening and protective action
on the lash follicle that prevents attacks against its
growth
Dual-Phased formula: this dual-phased ultra
soft texture combines the cleansing efficacy of an
oil with the freshness of a water. It contains the
perfect balance of two oils for maximum dissolving
efficacy without leaving an oily finish. The Oily
Phase contains isopropyl palmitate (ultra effective
dissolving oil) and isododecane (for a non-greasy
finish). The Water Phase is composed of soothing
Vichy Thermal Spa Water and Tensio-Actives, which
capture the dissolved make-up.
Purete Thermale Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover removes
waterproof make-up while limiting eyelash loss by dissolving the
most resistant eye make-up, leaving fewer lashes on the cotton
pad after cleansing. It protects lashes day after day leaving them
smoother and coated after one month of use.
Vichy Purete Thermale One-Step Cleanser for
Sensitive Skin
The best selling cleansing milk, a lotion and an
eye make-up remover in one single product. It
removes all traces of make-up and tones the skin
in one simple step. The original texture is a mix of
oils inside an aqueous gel. Oil drops are dispersed
on the skin to dissolve and remove makeup more
efficiently, leaving skin fresh with a non-greasy
finish, just like after using a toner. Also contains
5% of soothing & fortifying Vichy Thermal Spa
Water. Apply using a cotton pad. No rinsing
required.
Vichy Purete Thermale Calming Cleansing
Micellar Solution for Sensitive Skin and Eyes
Cleanses and removes make-up while soothing
and calming irritation. The Micellar technology
includes agglomerated tensio-actives, in which
the lipophilic side collects the impurities and
the hydrophilic side helps to remove them for
a higher cleansing efficacy. The non-drying
and ultra soothing formula contains Rose
Phytophenol, an extract of Rosa Gallica,
known for its soothing and inti-inflammatory
properties. It is pH neutral, alcohol, soap and
colourant free, tested on and suitable for
sensitive eyes, skin and contact lens wearers.
Actavis launches Rosuvastatin in Ireland
Actavis Ireland is delighted to announce the addition of
Rosuvastatin Film-coated tablets to the company’s ever-growing
product portfolio.
Rosuvastatin Actavis is a prescription only product and is
indicated for primary hypercholesterolaemia (type IIa) or mixed
dyslipidamia (type IIb) as an adjunct to diet when response to
diet and other non-pharmacological treatments (e.g. exercise,
weight reduction) is inadequate.
Rosuvastatin is an important product launch for Actavis. It
further demonstrates the group’s commitment to providing long
term sustainable value across a broad product portfolio.
Actavis continues to develop a competitively priced, broad
portfolio of products. Additional launches and line extensions
are yet to come this year which will further underline Actavis’s
current position as the fastest growing generic company on the
Irish market.
For further information on the Actavis portfolio please contact us
in Cork today on 1890 33 32 31 or email on contact@actavis.ie
Rosuvastatin from Actavis is available in the following presentations
26
5mg x 28 film coated
tablets
10mg x 28 film coated
tablets
20mg x 28 film coated
tablets
40mg x 28 film coated
tablets
Trade Price
€16.19
€19.91
€32.48
€33.36
GMS Code
62830
62831
62832
62833
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
productnews
Sanofi & Eau Thermale Avène
‘Sun Safe at Sea’
Sanofi and leading French dermo-cosmetic brand, Eau Thermale
Avène, recently held a series of talks aimed at keeping sailors
and water sports enthusiasts in the Dublin bay area ‘sun safe’
while they are on the water. The talks were delivered by Dr Mark
Wheeler, of the Edenpark Surgery in Raheny and took place in
three clubs in Dun Laoghaire Harbour – the National, Irish and
George Yacht Clubs over the summer
Dr Wheeler, who has a special interest in skincare, said:
“I am very pleased that the sailing clubs and the Bray Sea
Scouts have been willing to get involved. These groups subject
themselves to a lot of sun exposure on the water, so this is about
giving them the facts about sun protection so they can stay ‘Sun
Safe’ while enjoying their favourite pastime.”
“People often describe a suntan as a ‘healthy glow’, but the
appearance of a tan means your skin is reacting to damage done
by the sun’s UV rays. As well as that, most people apply their
sunscreens at one third of the thickness used for testing, so these
talks will help to dispel some of the myths that exist about sun
care and sun protection.”
The talks were sponsored by leading French dermo-cosmetic
brand, Eau Thermale Avène. Distributed in Ireland by sanofi, the
brand has gone from strength to strength in the Irish market
since its introduction here in November 2010. Ingrid Walsh,
Head of Consumer Healthcare at sanofi Ireland, said: “Sailing and
watersports are a good fit for our brand, which is photostable for
4 hours and very water resistant. With an innovative, patented
formula, the Eau Thermale Avène range of sun care products is
suitable for every skin type. The range is paraben and alcohol
free and has organic, chemical and mineral sunscreens, so no
matter what the sensitivity of your skin, there’s something
suitable for you to use.”
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast –
Epidermal Repair
Accelerator
Speed up the skin’s repair process
with this pro-recovery cream that
protects the skin and stimulates the
renewal of the damaged cells.
A triple action product for optimal
healing – it works to protect from
irritation, prevent bacterial infections
and accelerates the repairing process
for skin healing. Use it on scrapes and
cuts, bites, minor burns, dry patches,
sunburn, cuticles and cracked heels.
• A glide-on formula to ensure even
spreading
• Resists water and rubbing
• Moisturizing and non-sticky texture
Allows easy make-up application
while enhancing recovery process.
Result – soothed, protected and
stimulated – the skin repairs rapidly
with superior results.
No 1. OTC Brand in Pharmacy*
Launches New Nurofen Express
Nurofen, the No 1 selling OTC brand*, has just launched the
most anticipated product of the year – Nurofen Express. As with
all Nurofen products, new Nurofen Express is a pharmacy only
product and targets pain twice as fast **.
The new Nurofen Express range will comprise of two unique
new products: Nurofen Express 200mg tablets, available in
packs of 12 & 24, and Nurofen Express Maximum Strength
400mg tablets – a one tablet dose solution and the only 400mg
Ibuprofen tablet available OTC (also available in packs of 12 &
24).
The launch will be supported by a €1m marketing investment
– making it the biggest OTC launch in pharmacy in recent years.
The integrated consumer campaign will feature TV, outdoor,
radio, digital advertising and huge consumer promotion – all
driving consumers into your pharmacy.
The launch will also include first-in-class point-of-sale and
training materials which are available to all pharmacies.
* Source : IMS OTC value sales MAT 2010
** compared to standard Ibuprofen
Letrozole 2.5mg film-coated
Tablets
Clonmel Healthcare is delighted to announce the launch of
Letrozole 2.5mg film-coated tablets.
Letrozole is the most recent addition to our oncology division
and is used in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.
Full prescribing information for Letrozole is available on
request or go to www.clonmel-health.ie. This product is subject
to medical prescription. Letrozole is GMS reimbursable from 1st
September 2011.
Please contact Clonmel Healthcare on 01-6204000 if you require
any additional information on Letrozole.
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
27
productnews
Azithromycin Clonmel 250mg
Tablets
Clonmel Healthcare is delighted to announce the launch of
Azithromycin Clonmel 250mg tablets. This product will join our
other antibiotic medicine product listings within the Ethical
Prescription Division of Clonmel Healthcare.
Azithromycin Clonmel is an antibiotic belonging to a group
called macrolides. It stops the growth of bacteria which cause
infections by preventing the manufacture of protein in the
bacteria.
Full prescribing information for Azithromycin Clonmel is
available on request or go to www.clonmel-health.ie . This
product is subject to medical prescription. Azithromycin Clonmel
is GMS reimbursable from 1st September 2011.
Please contact Clonmel Healthcare on 01-6204000 if you require
any additional information on Azithromycin Clonmel.
New Bois d’Orange Huile
Sublime 30ml Dry Body Oil
Following the success of Bois D’Orange Huile
Sublime 100ml dry body oil last summer,
Roger & Gallet have launched a travel friendly
30ml bottle. Perfect when on holiday or
away for the weekend, Roger & Gallet’s Huile
Sublime Bois d’Orange new 30ml dry oil can
be used from head to toe. It moisturises and
illuminates the skin and leaves hair with a
soft subtle sheen, all in a handy travel size
bottle.
Extremely versatile, this feather-light dry oil can be used on
the face, body and hair. It delicately envelops the skin and hair in
its heavenly summery scent of wooded and zesty notes. Using
essential oils of Mediterranean citrus fruits – mandarin, orange
and bitter orange, combining the fruity sweetness of orange
blossom with the delicate notes of jasmine and Atlas cedar, this
luxurious dry oil leaves a sun-kissed satin sheen that is both
nourishing and protective.
Huile Sublime Bois d’Orange is enriched with six precious
natural oils selected for their ultra-nourishing, softening and
soothing properties.
• Argan Oil – deeply hydrates
• Almond Oil – softens
• Camelia Oil – helps restore suppleness and elasticity,
• Macadamia Oil – nourishes the epidermis
• Evening primrose Oil – protects the skin
• Sesame Oil – a rich emollient
The formula is also enriched with Vitamin E, recognised for its
anti-oxidant properties and invigorating orange essential oil.
Tested under dermatological supervision, silicon-free, noncomedogenic and suitable for dry and sensitive skin.
Glossy Hair: Especially beneficial to dry and curly hair. Apply
generously before or after washing hair, concentrating on the
ends. It is perfect for use on holidays or after exposure to the sun.
Dewy Complexion: Apply a few drops of Huile Sublime Bois
d’Orange to nourish your skin or to create a beautiful post
holiday glow. Avoid the eye contour area
A Sublime Body: Use generously after showering, while your
skin is still damp for faster absorption. Concentrate on dry areas
or bare skin on show: legs, arms, décolleté.
28
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
Own-label vitamins and
supplements
Premier Health Products has
provided own-label ranges for
independents and multiples
across
Europe since 1989, and we can
now supply you directly.
• Build brand loyalty for your
business
• Increase customer
perception of your pharmacy
• Retain your customers
“But I only have one or two pharmacies. I’m too small to have
my own range”
Well, that’s no longer true. The Premier Health Own-label
range has been specially developed for businesses such as yours,
enabling you to compete against the larger multiples. You can
pick and choose from the entire range.
“What costs are involved?”
Nothing is required from you, apart from your logo (you can
choose from one of ours if you don’t have one), we incorporate
this into our label template. You sign it off and then we supply
your goods. Simple! No set-up fee. No contract. And no financial
commitment is required.
All of our supplements are very competitively priced, offering
your customers huge savings over expensively branded
alternatives. At the recommended retail price, your profit on
return will be at least 40%.
See contact details below if you have any queries whatsoever,
if you would like to place an order, or if you would like a
representative to visit.
Angela Gowing, Director, East Park House, Marina Commercial
Park, Cork, Ireland.
Email: info@premierhealth.ie Tel. 021 4318875, Fax 021 4318727
www.premierhealth.ie
Gastrolief (Pantoprazole) 20mg
Gastro-resistant Tablets
Clonmel Healthcare has nnounced the launch of Gastrolief
(Pantoprazole) 20mg Gastro-resistant Tablets. This product will
join our other non prescription medicine product listings within
ClonMedica, the consumer division of Clonmel Healthcare.
Gastrolief is used for the short-term treatment of reflux
systems (for example heartburn and acid regurgitation) in adults.
Gastrolief is available in retail pharmacies.
Please contact Clonmel Healthcare on 01-6204000 if you require
any additional information on Gastrolief.
CROSSWORD No.15
This crossword is sponsored by an educational grant from
For further information please contact: Ricesteele Manufacturing Ltd, Unit 21, Cookstown Industrial Estate, Belgard Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Tel: 01 4510144
1
2
3
4
5
6
Across
1 Ten years (6)
4As soon as possible, initially! (4)
8Et cetera, in short (3)
9A looser concoction for a spray
can (7)
10 Minor argument (4)
11 Tapas confused for spaghetti, for
instance (5)
14 Belfast’s main river (5)
16 Singer with you too, we hear (4)
18Aspiring endlessly for a pain killer
(7)
20 Hard water? (3)
21 Swine (4)
22Evaluate female donkey? (6)
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
21
Down
20
22
ANSWERS FOR CROSSWORD NO. 14
Across: 1 Rudolf, 4 Enda, 8 Bug, 9 Mourned,
10 Hiss, 11 Oscar, 14 Lager, 16 Oval,
18 America, 20 Eye, 21 Sped, 22 Caesar.
Down: 1 Ruby, 2 Digging, 3 Limbs, 5 Nun,
6 Adders, 7 Euro, 12 Craters, 13 Altars, 15 Rain,
16 Osama, 17 Dear, 19 Eve.
Congratulations to the winner of the last Pharmacy
Assistant Crossword:
Laura Flanagan, C/O Duddy’s Pharmacy, Portumna,
Co Galway.
Send your completed crossword with your name
and address by 1st November 2011 to the Editor,
Pharmacy Assistant, 7 Adelaide Court, Adelaide
Road, Dublin 2 or fax 01 4789449. The first correct
entry will win a cheque for e50.
1
8
R
14
18
21
2
D O
I
B
Y
13
U
U
9
U G
10
G
I
A
G
E
A
M E
R
R
V
A
S
S
N
T
F
I
16
R
E
D
C
22
R
R
O
S
O
V
N
D
6
12
N
E
D
C
A
R
E
A
A
20
A
S
L
T
E
Y
R
E
A
D
R
M
C
5
U
S
I
N
E
E
U
11
S
15
4
7
M O
A
19
P
L
B
H
L
3
S
17
D
E
A
A
R
1 Two musicians like Jedward (4)
2Riding a bike (7)
3 Happy, Bashful, Dopey, Grumpy,
Sleepy, Sneezy or Doc (5)
5Little sister, either way (3)
6 Nelson’s went with a bang in
O’Connell Street (6)
7Enclose warp warped! (4)
12Ridiculously insures the dawn (7)
13 Whiten with chlorine, perhaps (6)
15 He fiddled while Rome burned
(4)
16 Groups like U2 (5)
17 Meg’s assorted jewels (4)
19 Swine (3)
Name:
Address:
Email:
p h a r m ac y a s s i s ta n t
29
knows where it hurts
Pain... it’s a personal thing!
with
Supported
rtising
ve
d
A
er
Consum
&
otional
In-store Prom
a
Materi l
ABBREVIATED PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics before dispensing: Buplex 200 mg Film-coated Tablets.
Indications: Mild to moderate pain, such as headache including migraine headache, dental pain. Primary dysmenorrhoea. Fever. Dosage: Short-term use only,
not longer than 7 days. Dose depends on the patient’s age and body weight. Tablet should be swallowed with a glass of water during or after a meal. Mild to
moderate pain and fever: Adults and adolescents older than 12 years (≥40 kg): 200-400 mg as a single dose or 3-4 times a day every 4 to 6 hours. In migraine,
400 mg as a single dose, if necessary 400 mg every 4-6 hours. Maximum daily dose: 1200 mg. Children 6-9 years (20-29 kg): 200 mg 1-3 times a day every 4 to
6 hours as required. Maximum daily dose: 600 mg. Children 10-12 years (30-40 kg): 200 mg 1-4 times a day every 4 to 6 hours as required. Maximum daily dose:
800 mg. Primary dysmenorrhoea: Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age: 200-400 mg 1-3 times a day, every 4-6 hours, as required. Maximum daily dose:
1200 mg. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, Last trimester of pregnancy, History of gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation related to previous NSAID therapy,
Active or recurrent peptic ulcer/haemorrhage, Severe hepatic or renal insufficiency, Severe heart failure or coronary heart disease, Significant dehydration, Cerebrovascular or other active
bleeding, Dishaematopoiesis of unknown origin, Children younger than 6 years of age. Warnings and Precautions: Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary.
Symptoms of an infection may be masked. Avoid concomitant use with other NSAIDs, including COX-2 inhibitors. GI bleeding, ulceration and perforation may occur with or without
warning symptoms or previous history of GI events. Consider combination therapy with protective agents (e.g. misoprostol or proton pump inhibitors) for at risk patients. NSAIDS should
be used with caution in patients with a history of peptic ulcer, GI bleeding, intestinal inflammation, hepatic, renal or cardiac insufficiency, hypertension, congestive heart failure, disturbed
haematopoiesis, blood coagulation defects, respiratory disorders and immediately after surgical intervention. All patients, particularly the elderly and patients with impaired hepatic and
renal function, on long term NSAID treatment should be kept under regular surveillance with monitoring of renal, cardiac and hepatic function and of haematological parameters. High
dose and long term use may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic events. Careful consideration before long term use in patients with cardiovascular disease or
risk factors. Discontinue at first sign of skin rash, mucosal lesion or other sign of hypersensitivity. May impair female fertility. Strict consideration should be given to the benefit-risk ratio
in the following conditions: SLE or other autoimmune diseases, Congenital disturbance of porphyrin metabolism, First and second trimesters of pregnancy and Lactation. Interactions:
Other NSAIDs; Anticoagulants; Ticlopidine; Methotrexate; Moclobemide; Phenytoin; Lithium; Cardiac glycosides; Diuretics and antihypertensives; Captopril; Aminoglycosides; SSRIs;
Ciclosporin; Cholestyramine; Tacrolimus; Zidovudine; Ritonavir; Mifepristone; Probenecid; Sulfinpyrazone; Quinolone antibiotics; Sulphonylureas; Corticosteroids; Anti-platelet aggregation
agents; Alcohol; Bisphosphonates; Oxpentifylline; Baclofen. Pregnancy and Lactation: Pregnancy - During the first and second trimester of pregnancy Buplex should not be given unless
clearly necessary. Buplex is contraindicated during the third trimester of pregnancy. Lactation - With therapeutic doses during short term treatment the risk for infant seems unlikely. If
longer treatment is prescribed, early weaning should be considered. Side Effects: Headache, somnolence, vertigo, fatigue, agitation, dizziness, insomnia, irritability, heartburn, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal ulcers, sometimes with bleeding and perforation, occult blood loss which may lead to anaemia,
melaena, heamatemesis, ulcerative stomatitis, colitis, exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease, complications of colonic diverticula. Shelf Life: 2 years. Pack Sizes:
Blister: 12, 24 & 50 film-coated tablets. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Actavis Group PTC ehf, Reykjavikurvegi 76-78, 220 Hafnarfjordur, Iceland. Marketing Authorisation Number: PA
1380/87/1. Legal Category: Product not subject to medical prescription. Retail sale through pharmacies only. Further information including the SPC is available on request from Actavis
Ireland Limited, Euro House, Little Island, Co. Cork or email: contact@actavis.ie. Information about adverse event reporting can be found on the IMB website (www.imb.ie) or by contacting
Actavis Ireland Limited.
Date of Generation of API: November 2010.
Date of Preparation: February 2011. FADHCP-002-02.