Helping you deliver patient-centred care with the latest news and essential information about key products and developments in store.
Recognising excellence
This month, we talked to Jaqueline Douglas, Pharmacy Advisor at Boots in Forfar. We discuss the NHS Smoking Cessation Service, the COVID-19 pandemic and her recent win of the Rising Star award at Training Matters' Recognition of Excellence Awards 2020. Click on the interview to find out more.
Christmas customer support
With the COVID-19 pandemic, this Christmas is likely to be different for a lot of people. In order to best support customers through this challenging time, it's important that you stay up to date with the latest Government guidance in your area.
Some customers may be experiencing loneliness or otherwise struggling with their mental wellbeing. You can signpost them to www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters for tips on looking after their mental health and further support.
Click the boxes below for product updates and news.
FEATURED BRAND
VIAGRA CONNECT® (P)
Sildenafil
Item codes: 4s: 81-654-08; 8s: 81-654-16
Erectile dysfunction treatment with no need for prescription.*
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man is unable to get and/or keep an erection hard enough for sex and can happen at any age.
Complete the Pharmacy Colleague Checklist the first time a customer requests VIAGRA CONNECT. This should be reviewed by the pharmacist to assess suitability and they will intervene in the consultation if necessary. The checklist should be completed accurately and fully, so it is important to explain to the customer at the start of the conversation that you will need to ask them several questions relating to their health and any medications that they may be taking.
About VIAGRA CONNECT
Contains: Sildenafil 50mg
Dosage: Take one tablet approximately one hour before sexual activity. The maximum recommended dose is one per day.
Pack sizes: Available in a four- or eight-tablet pack.
Suitable for: Men aged 18 years and over.
How it works: Helps the muscles in the penis to relax so that blood flows in more easily, allowing an erection to be achieved when a man is sexually stimulated.
Contraindications: May not be suitable for customers with certain health conditions or taking certain medications e.g. those containing nitrates.
Counselling points:
- May need to be taken a number of times on different occasions to have a satisfactory effect
- If it is taken with or after food, the onset of action may be delayed
- Should not be taken with grapefruit or grapefruit juice as this can affect how the medicine works
- Men should be advised to see their GP within six months of initial supply
See below for product information.
PP-VUJ-GBR-0325 October 2020
Bio-Kult Boosted
Item codes: See Boots.com
A unique multi-action live bacteria formulation targeting the digestive and immune system.++
- The same great 14 strains of live bacteria found in Bio-Kult Advanced, proven to survive the high acidity of the stomach, but at four times the concentration
- Contains vitamin B12 which contributes to the normal function of the immune system
- Can be taken every day as part of a healthy lifestyle
- Does not need to be refrigerated and can be taken alongside antibiotics, while travelling and by vegetarians.
For directions for use, see product pack.
Bassetts Vitamins Adult Multivitamins Raspberry & Pomegranate
Item code: 63-83-130
Fruity, chewy, one-a-day multivitamin containing nutrients to support the health of adults.+
- Tailored with a balance of nutrients for everyday health
- Includes vitamins C and D to support the immune system, and vitamin B6 to help release energy from food and to support the balance of hormonal activity
- No added sugar
- Natural flavours and natural colours.
Directions for use: Take one pastille daily.
Not suitable for children under 12 years.
Chloralieve Honey & Lemon Flavour Lozenges (P)
Lidocaine hydrochloride; amylmetacresol;
2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol
Item code: 11-66-646
For the relief of symptoms of sore throat.
- Dual action: fights infection and numbs pain
- Pharmacy-only formula
- Antibiotic-free
- Suitable for adults and children over 12 years.
Directions for use: One lozenge every two to three hours. Always read the leaflet.
See below for product information.
Salonpas Pain Relief Patch (GSL)
Methyl salicylate; levomenthol
Item codes: 78-73-360
An anti-inflammatory patch for pain relief of muscle and joints associated with strains, sprains, backache and bruises.
Salonpas Pain Relief Patch:
- Delivers the active ingredients directly to the site of pain with less systemic exposure
- Works for up to 12 hours
- Stretchable and flexible
- Can be used on and around joints
- Easy to apply.
This product is suitable for adults aged 18 years and over. For usage and directions, read the product pack and leaflet. Customers should be advised to use no more than two plasters in 24 hours. The patches should not be used for more than three days in a row.
See below for product information.
Aloclair Plus
Item codes: See Boots.com
Aloclair Plus provides fast pain relief and healing from mouth ulcers. Its unique formulation creates a protective barrier on the affected area, with PVP, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.
Triple action:
- Fast acting
- Effective pain relief
- Promotes healing
Available in handy spray, gel and mouthwash formats. The spray's gentle formula is suitable for use during pregnancy and in babies from two months. The gel is suitable for use in adults and children of all ages.
Directions for use:
Spray: Spray three times or as needed to cover the affected area. No need to use fingers.
Gel: Apply one or two drops of gel with the nozzle applicator, so as to cover the whole mouth ulcer or lesion.
See product packaging and leaflet for full directions.
Product information
VIAGRA CONNECT 50mg Film Coated tablets Active ingredient: Sildenafil Supply classification: P Indications: For erectile dysfunction in adult men. Further information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contraindications and method of use can be found at https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8725 or from Upjohn - a Pfizer division, Walton Oaks, Surrey, KT20 7NS.
Salonpas Pain Relief Patch contains Methyl Salicylate; Levomenthol. Indications: For the symptomatic relief of pain of muscles and joints associated with strains and sprains. Legal category: GSL. Information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contraindications and method of use can be found at https://mhraproducts4853.blob.core.windows.net/docs/cb33848847c9478298fb83815543cee8cee6c291 Marketing authorisation number: PL 23168/0001. Further information is available from Licence Holder: Hisamitsu UK Limited, 5 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1LG, UK. Last revised: February 2020.
Name of product and active ingredients: Chloralieve Honey & Lemon Flavour Lozenges 2mg Lidocaine / 0.6mg Amylmetacresol/ 1.2mg 2,4-Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol. Classification: 'P'. Indications: Relief of symptoms of sore throat in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age. MAH: Prestige Brands (UK) Ltd, 5-7 London Road, St. Albans, AL1 1LA, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44 (0) 1727 515 310. Information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contra-indications, and method of use can be found at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Medicinesinformation/SPCandPILs/index.htm or from Prestige Brands (UK) Ltd.
GP LINK
GP Link* allows customers to link their GP Online Services to Boots Online Pharmacy. This means they can access their GP record and order their repeat prescriptions through the Boots Free Online NHS Repeat Prescription Service using a pre-approved list of their medication.
What are the benefits of GP Link?
- No need to send requests to the GP, reducing workload and time taken to process orders
- Fewer queries concerning missing items
- Customers can only order items that the GP has made available for them
- Results in confidence that customers are receiving the items they need and means that overall items per order have increased
- Convenience for customers with quicker turn around times and they can have their whole family on one account.+
What do customers need to do?
- Request their linkage key or passphrase from their GP surgery. They will receive a letter or email with their linkage key or passphrase.
- Go to Boots.com/online/pharmacy and click 'Order Now', which will allow them to enter their linkage key or passphrase.
- View and order from the pre-approved list of medication.
* Please be aware that GP Link is a Boots internal name for what is externally known as GP Online Services. + When registered with the same GP surgery.
ELECTRONIC REPEAT DISPENSING
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, patients have had to change how they manage their medication. This is an opportunity for us to support them and make the prescription journey as simple as possible.
Patients tell us that re-ordering regular prescriptions can be a challenge and that they want their pharmacy to be able to support them with this. Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) can simplify the process, as it allows regular medicines to be prescribed in batches, covering up to a year's medication for suitable patients.* This is available in England only.
The prescriptions for eRD are stored securely on NHS Spine: the digital platform that connects pharmacy teams with GP surgeries and patients. NHS Spine provides the prescriptions to the patient's nominated pharmacy at regular intervals. This removes the need for the patient to contact their prescriber to request another repeat prescription, saving them both time.
Two thirds of all prescriptions issued in primary care are for repeat medication,1 so eRD offers the opportunity to improve efficiency significantly. It is estimated that up to 80 per cent of all repeat prescriptions could be replaced with eRD, saving 2.7 million GP surgery hours by reducing the time taken to manage repeat prescribing.1
Visit the eRD page on BootsLive to access support materials:
- A video focusing on the importance of eRD
- The Leading For GP Relationships guide, so you can work together with GPs to increase eRD prescribing.
For colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can find guidance on Repeat Dispensing on BootsLive.
* Subject to eligibility criteria and must be authorised by their GP.
Reference: 1. https://digital.nhs.uk/services/electronic-prescription-service/electronic-repeat-dispensing-for-prescribers
Last accessed November 2020.
INTERVIEW - JAQUELINE DOUGLAS
Award-winning advisor
Talking to Jaqueline Douglas, Pharmacy Advisor at Boots in Forfar and winner of the Rising Star Award at TM Magazine's Recognition of Excellence (RoE) Awards 2020.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I love everything about my role. I mostly enjoy helping customers, whether they're trying to find the right skincare product, needing advice at the healthcare counter or managing their repeat medication. I also really enjoy all aspects of the dispensary work, especially if there's a tricky prescription which requires a bit more thinking or calculating. My team are some of the best people I've ever worked with. I firmly believe if you have amazing people around you, it inspires you to ask questions, follow their example and work together to help the community.
I firmly believe if you have amazing people around you, it inspires you to ask questions, follow their example and work together to help the community
Are there any customer experiences that stick out for you?
I'm involved with the NHS Smoking Cessation Service we offer in store and one older gentleman had been given a warning from his GP that this was the time to stop smoking, as he was currently looking at a diagnosis of COPD. He had tried unsuccessfully to give up smoking but couldn't stop the habit of going outside for a break. I suggested he try an inhalator and still go outside with his tea, so that he wasn't changing his routine altogether. He came in the next week really hopeful, saying that he had taken my advice and managed without smoking at all in his first week.
Over the weeks, he kept going outside, but eventually with nothing more than his cup of tea. In one of his final weeks of the programme he came in so happy, saying he had managed to run for a bus - something he hadn't done in years. He also proudly told me he had taken his wife out for a nice meal with all the money he had saved from not buying cigarettes. I think helping that man on his journey will always be one of my proudest moments.
How have things changed in your pharmacy since the COVID-19 pandemic began?
Things got extremely busy overnight. By sheer coincidence, we had moved to a new system in our dispensary a couple of weeks before lockdown, so we were trying to get to grips with it while dealing with endless queues of people needing their medication. Slowly but surely, we managed to work through the fear, worry and workload. Eventually it got easier; we adapted to new cleaning routines, helping each other and patients through new layouts, new PPE and new safety rules. We've cried together and laughed together, but we're getting through it. We're doing it as a team and as a community.
How have things changed in your pharmacy since the COVID-19 pandemic began?
I felt amazing. It was quite overwhelming. I was so happy to think that anyone would consider me as a worthy candidate. It's a lovely, special and proud feeling. My family are very proud of me too and the award takes pride of place on our mantelpiece at home. I really would like to thank my manager Sharon Mckenzie for nominating me, the judges on the panel for choosing me and Liz Coop who interviewed me. I think winning this award has set me up towards a positive career in pharmacy.