TWO MORE PHARMACIES JOIN CARE CHEMIST NETWORK

Glendowie Care Chemist and Otahuhu Care Chemist in Auckland have become the latest stores to join Care Chemist, bringing New Zealand’s fastest growing community pharmacy group to 27.

Behzed Eghdamian, owner of both new Care Chemists explains: ‘I have liked the Care Chemist concept since I first heard about it and I’m glad that I have been given the opportunity to become a part of it. I have always believed that pharmacies should be an integral part of the local community. People should recognise their pharmacist and feel comfortable enough to come in and ask questions about healthcare and medicine management.

‘I was also attracted to the way Care Chemist looks after its pharmacists, especially the strong marketing support that they put behind the stores,’ adds Behzed. ‘I’m looking forward to raising the profile of Glendowie and Otahuhu Care Chemist, and raising awareness in the area about who we are and what we do.’

Care Chemist spokesperson, Anthony Yee, says: ‘We are thrilled that Behzed has decided to bring two of his pharmacies into the network. Behzed and his team bring an enormous amount of expertise and experience to the group. We’re looking forward to supporting him with his new business endeavour and helping him provide the local community with a superior professional healthcare service.’

For more information on Care Chemist, visit www.carechemist.co.nz

CARE CHEMIST LAUNCHES TRAVEL CHECKLIST TO HELP HOLIDAY MAKERS ENSURE THEIR FIRST AID KITS ARE WELL PREPARED FOR SUMMER

With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, Care Chemist, the country’s fastest growing community pharmacy group has launched a travel checklist to help New Zealanders put together their summer first aid kit.

Using the holiday travel checklist, customers will be able to tick off what they already have and then bring the list into their local pharmacy for the remaining items. Care Chemists will be on hand throughout the holiday season to answer questions and to advise on which items are essential for certain destinations.

‘A well stocked portable first aid kit is vitally important so you can take care of minor injuries as they occur as well as being better prepared to manage something more major,’ explains Care Chemist spokesperson, Tania Adams. ‘Having a ready supply of first aid basics such as pain relief, hand sanitiser, bandages, sterile dressings, disposable gloves and antiseptic wipes, can make all the difference. Consider the things you might have to deal with at your travel destination and try to prepare accordingly. Having the tools to deal with minor illnesses or injury while on holiday in NZ or overseas, means you can get back to enjoying your holiday so much faster. Remember, as well as having a well stocked first aid kit, it’s just as important to protect yourself from the sun and pack plenty of sunscreen for everyone in the family. Tania also highlights the importance of packing enough of your prescription medication.

‘Don’t forget about your regular medications while you are away from home,’ says Tania. ‘Make sure you have enough for your time away plus allow for three extra days in case the unexpected happens. Also, bear in mind that if you are travelling abroad you should carry any prescription medication in your hand luggage, along with a copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor. The letter should include the name of the medicine, the dosage, how much you need to travel with, and should state that the medicine is for your personal use. The best thing you can do is prepare everything a few weeks in advance. Being organised and getting everything you need beforehand will make your holiday much more fun and infinitely less stressful and if you need any advice just pop into your Care Chemist and we will be more than happy to help.’

The Care Chemist first aid travel checklist can be viewed by going to www.carechemist.co.nz and typing ‘first aid travel checklist’ into the search bar.

CARE CHEMIST LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES

With Diabetes Awareness Week taking place from 16-22 November 2010, Care Chemist, the country's fastest growing community pharmacy group, has launched a nationwide campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the disease. New Zealanders are being encouraged to visit their local Care Chemist with any questions or concerns they have around diabetes risk factors, while those who currently have diabetes will have access to advice on how to better manage the condition and their medication.

Care Chemists throughout the country will be involved in various activities to support diabetes awareness. Screening days, including blood glucose meter checks and blood pressure checks will be available at selected Care Chemists. A checklist will be available to customers to assess their risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Information handouts from Diabetes New Zealand will be available in Care Chemists throughout November. Pharmacists will also be able to offer lifestyle tips and to answer any questions customers might have about their diabetes medication.

'The number of individuals with diabetes is increasing sharply especially among Maori and Pacific Island people. It is thought that by 2020 more than half a million New Zealanders will have diabetes, which will put an even greater strain on the New Zealand healthcare system. The community pharmacist is in an ideal position to play a vital role,' explains Care Chemist spokesperson, Kathy Maxwell. 'Unfortunately, Type 1 diabetes is not preventable but Type 2 diabetes can usually be staved off if people are aware of what can cause it. High blood pressure, being overweight and having diabetes in the family will all significantly increase the chance of an individual developing it themselves.'

'People can reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by making a few healthy lifestyle changes,' says Kathy. 'For example, the type and amount of food you eat can play a big part in increasing or decreasing your diabetes risk. Choosing low-GI carbohydrate foods reduces the risk of diabetes while eating more high-GI foods, which lead to blood sugar spikes, increases the risk. Doing more exercise, drinking less alcohol, cutting down on sedentary activity and losing weight, especially around the waist will help. Quitting Smoking will also help prevent worsening of diabetes"

'Even when a person has diabetes, it can be controlled to a certain degree,' adds Kathy. 'Eating healthy foods in the right amounts, getting regular physical activity, taking diabetes medications as prescribed and testing blood sugar on a regular basis, will all make managing the condition much easier.

CARE CHEMIST LAUNCHES PRESCRIPTION REMINDER SERVICE TO IMPROVE MEDICATION COMPLIANCE IN NEW ZEALAND

Care Chemist, New Zealand’s fastest growing community pharmacy group, has launched what is thought to be the country’s first online prescription reminder service, in a bid to improve medication compliance.

In a study last year, it was discovered that 28% of consumers sometimes forget to refill their prescriptions on time, and 52% said it would be useful if their pharmacy would remind them when it's time to refill. On top of that, 43% admitted that they occasionally forget to take their medication and 21% acknowledged being careless about taking drugs as prescribed.

According to Care Chemist spokesperson, Tania Adams, prescription adherence is a problem that can seriously impact a person’s health and result in unnecessary and costly treatments, such as hospital admissions, re-admissions, and surgeries

‘Non-compliance with a prescribed drug reduces or eliminates the positive effects of a medication,’ explains Tania. ‘As well as compromising a person’s health, not maintaining a medication plan can also mean more costs in the long run. New systems, such as the online prescription reminder service, will make medication management much simpler for both patient and pharmacist. It is far less likely that repeat prescriptions will be forgotten or picked up late.’

‘A reminder service will also reduce patient waiting time, allow better time management for pharmacists and reduce the likelihood of expired medicines not being identified,’ adds Tania.

The newly developed offering allows customers to register for the no cost prescription reminder service at www.carechemist.co.nz. When their prescription is next due for renewal, Care Chemist sends them a reminder email or SMS text message, prompting them to head over to their pharmacy to collect it. The system will email their chosen Care Chemist to ask them to make up the script so that they can then have it ready for collection at the pharmacy. Customers can also set up a reminder to go to the doctor to get a new prescription when they need one.

For more information on Care Chemist, visit www.carechemist.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND’S JOINT PAIN PROBLEM COULD BE EASED WITH MORE EXERCISE AND AN IMPROVED DIET ADVISES CARE CHEMIST

With New Zealand Arthritis Annual Appeal week beginning on 21st September, Care Chemist, the country’s fastest growing community pharmacy group, is encouraging New Zealanders to take care of their joints or risk the health consequences.

‘Keeping in good general health is vital,’ says Care Chemist spokesperson, Anthony Yee, ‘Being overweight can put immense pressure on the joints, for example, and can lead to an increased risk of arthritis.

‘As well as maintaining a healthy weight, keeping active also helps lessen pain and increases your range of movement,’ adds Anthony owner of Care Chemist Northcote. ‘Just be sure to include both aerobic exercises such as walking as well as resistance training to strengthen muscles.’

Recent joint health statistics are not encouraging. In 2010, over 530,000 New Zealanders aged fifteen or over are living with at least one type of arthritis, according to Arthritis New Zealand. This equates to 15.2% of the total population aged fifteen or over, or nearly one in six people. The total financial costs of arthritis in New Zealand in 2010 are estimated to be $3.2 billion or 1.7% of GDP.

Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to alleviate joint pain and treat the conditions which cause it.

On top of following a healthy lifestyle, Anthony says that many people have found that taking supplements such as fish oils, glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate may help reduce moderate to severe joint pain.

‘Given recent concerns about people taking too many anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) we recommend that people consult their Care Chemist to see if these supplements may help manage their painful joint conditions,’ adds Anthony.

As well as providing customers with information and advice on joint health, Care Chemist has also produced a Pain Control Wheel. The wheel is a simple tool that helps people understand how to combine ibuprofen and paracetamol based products, safely and effectively, when they require stronger pain relief. The wheel shows when to take the next dose of pain relief regardless of which type of pain medication was taken first.

OREWA MEDICAL CENTRE CARE CHEMIST JOINS NEW ZEALAND’S FASTEST GROWING COMMUNITY PHARMACY GROUP

Orewa Medical Centre Care Chemist, north of Auckland, has become the latest store to join Care Chemist, New Zealand’s fastest growing community pharmacy group.

The pharmacy is a new business which has been set up alongside the relocated Orewa Medical Centre. It will open its doors in early September.

Antony Wentworth, owner of Orewa Medical Centre Care Chemist explains: ‘I didn’t think twice about bringing Orewa Medical Centre Care Chemist into the fold. Being part of the Care Chemist group allows us to receive valuable assistance with our systems, staff training and marketing. I also like the emphasis Care Chemist places on looking after and advising the customer and acting as a local healthcare coach. It’s what the profession should be all about.

’m really looking forward to opening Orewa Medical Centre Care Chemist to the public,’ adds Antony. ‘It’s a really good site and will provide a much needed service to people in the area and those attending the medical centre.’
Care Chemist spokesperson, Anthony Yee, says: ‘We are thrilled that Antony has decided to add another pharmacy to the network. Antony and his team bring an enormous amount of expertise and experience to the group. We’re looking forward to supporting him with his new business endeavour and helping him provide the local community with a superior professional healthcare service.’

Orewa Medical Centre Care Chemist can be found at 8D Tamariki Avenue, Orewa.

For more information on Care Chemist, visit www.carechemist.co.nz

THOUSANDS OF KIWIS COULD BE PUTTING THEMSELVES AT RISK BY TAKING INAPPROPRIATE MEDICINE WARNS CARE CHEMIST

Thousands of New Zealanders suffering from winter coughs and colds could be putting themselves in danger by taking unsuitable medication according to Care Chemist. Care Chemist, New Zealand’s fastest growing community pharmacy group, has launched a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the risks involved with purchasing medicines without seeking the advice of a healthcare professional first

Some individuals, including those that are pregnant, asthmatic, and diabetic or have high blood pressure, need to be more vigilant in considering the risks involved. A recent study from

Australia has revealed that up to 20% of asthmatics are allergic to a common ingredient used in cold medications and pain killers. The one in seven adults in New Zealand taking medication for high blood pressure should also be careful as several common cold medicines could increase their blood pressure.

‘It’s very important to check that the cold medication you are thinking about purchasing won’t exacerbate an existing condition or conflict with a treatment you are already undergoing,’ explains Care Chemist CEO, Nicolette McDonald. ‘Always ask your pharmacist whether there are any potential drug interactions between your medications and cold medications.’

‘If you’re already taking a painkiller and want to take a cold medication, you’ll also need to check that you’re not double dosing,’ adds Nicolette. ‘Popular painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are often used in cold and flu tablets as well as some hot drinks for colds. Too much of either of these medications can be quite serious and in some cases lethal.’

As well as providing advice on choosing the right cold and flu medication, Care Chemist will be producing an educational brochure on how to get the right advice and what dangers to be aware of. On top of that, Care Chemists pharmacists are always on hand to discuss any issues and possible solutions with their customers.

For more information on Care Chemist, visit their website by clicking here