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The importance of Flu Vaccinations

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Protecting Public Health: The Importance of Flu Vaccines in South Africa and Vaccination @ Alpha Pharm Pharmacies

With the arrival of winter in South Africa comes the seasonal threat of the influenza virus, commonly known as “The Flu”. Whilst it is often dismissed as a minor inconvenience, the flu can have serious consequences, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying health conditions. One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of influenza, and its associated complications, is through annual flu vaccination campaigns. 

Understanding the Impact of Influenza 

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by mutating strains of influenza viruses. It can lead to a range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and respiratory distress. In severe cases, influenza can result in hospitalization, pneumonia, and even death in extreme cases. Each year, seasonal influenza strains circulate in South Africa, causing illness and placing strain on healthcare resources.

The Role of Flu Vaccines 

Flu vaccines are designed to enhance immunity against specific strains of influenza viruses. By stimulating the body’s immune response, vaccines help protect individuals and reduce the severity of illness if infection occurs. Vaccination not only safeguards individual health but also contributes to community immunity, reducing the overall effects of influenza within the population. 

Benefits of Flu Vaccination 

Risk reduction: Flu vaccines are highly effective in reducing the risk of contracting influenza and experiencing severe symptoms. Vaccination lowers the likelihood of flu-related complications, hospitalizations, and deaths, particularly among high-risk groups. 

Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Immunization is particularly crucial for individuals at higher risk of flu-related complications, including the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. 

Reducing Healthcare Burden: By reducing flu-related complications, vaccines help alleviate the strain on healthcare facilities and resources, especially during peak flu seasons. This enables healthcare providers to focus on treating other medical emergencies and conditions. 

Promoting Public Health: Flu vaccination campaigns play a vital role in promoting public health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. By achieving high vaccination coverage rates, communities can collectively reduce the transmission of influenza viruses and protect vulnerable members of society.  

Accessing Flu Vaccines in South Africa 

Flu vaccines are widely available in South Africa through various channels, including public healthcare facilities, private clinics, pharmacies, and workplace vaccination programs. The South African Department of Health and the private sector typically launches annual flu vaccination campaigns targeting priority groups, such as healthcare workers, elderly individuals, and individuals with underlying health conditions. 

Flu vaccines are a critical tool in safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of influenza in South Africa. By getting vaccinated annually, individuals can protect themselves, their families, and their communities from flu-related illness complications. As we approach flu season, let’s prioritize flu vaccination as part of our commitment to promoting health and well-being for all.  

Remember, prevention is key—protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated against the flu at your nearest Alpha Clin Clinic. 

Medicine Pharmacy

COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Myths and facts

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The Booster Vaccine, is it worth it post-lockdown? 

Over 19,4 million South Africans are fully vaccinated against the SARS COVID-19 virus, which means that many of us are eligible for our booster shots. Many questions have been raised about the additional protection of a booster vaccine post-lockdown, like whether it is still advised or necessary to go through with the additional precautions. 

Clinical evidence still proves in favour of vaccine boosters as the immune response fades naturally over time, and as the virus adapts and changes our immune systems may no longer recognise the threat. So, despite numerous concerns about the mutated variants of the virus, many healthcare experts still endorse the booster vaccine as our most pertinent form of protection currently.

 

The Booster Myths and Facts:

You shouldn’t mix and match vaccines – MYTH 

You can get a mixture of J&J and Pfizer vaccines, so long as you are fully vaccinated by one and receive the other either 60 or 90 days later as a booster. 

The Booster does not help against newer variants such as omicron – MYTH 

There is ample evidence that booster vaccines increases antibody levels to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Higher antibodies are also found to offer more protection against variants including omicron. 

The COVID-19 vaccines are untested – MYTH 

All vaccines used in South Africa go through extensive testing, by means of numerous clinical trials that include thousands of individuals who were followed for a minimum of two months. Safety monitoring is required for all approved vaccines to ensure the long-term safety of vaccines too.

The vaccine will make you sick – MYTH

None of the authorised COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19; therefore, the vaccine cannot make you sick with the virus. The vaccine teaches your body to react and fight the virus, and sometimes this process can cause symptoms such as fever, these symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building protection against the virus that caused COVID-19. 

 

Booking your booster vaccine is a great choice! 

Use our pharmacy locator to find your nearest Alpha Clin Clinic and enquire about the booster vaccine today: https://www.alphapharmacies.co.za/ 

Medicine

Not just the flu

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What is the Flu Shot or Vaccine? 

The flu vaccine, commonly known as the flu shot, is a vaccination against the 4 most common strains of influenza as recommended by The World Health Organization (WHO) for the Southern Hemisphere. The WHO makes these recommendations based on peer-reviewed evidence from research on the common strains that were prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere during their Flu season. The vaccine is generally administered as an injection in the arm and protects our immune systems from serious illness. 

“It’s only the flu.” Should I get the Vaccine? 

Even though most flu viruses have been stigmatised as being common and therefore less serious afflictions, the reality is that thousands of people are hospitalised by the flu every year. According to the NICD people who are at risk of getting severe influenza complications may be severely impacted by influenza, in many cases hospitalisation is required, and in extreme cases the virus can be fatal. The groups identified to be at risk of severe illness include HIV-infected persons, pregnant women, sufferers of chronic illnesses, the elderly and children under the age of 2. 

Who Should get the flu vaccination? 

Since the 2010-2011 influenza season the recommendation has been each year that everyone older than the age of 6 months should get their flu shot once per season. There are rare exceptions to this recommendation, however there are different flu vaccines approved for different groups of people. 

Who Should not get the flu vaccination? 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that the groups of people should not get their flu shots are children younger than 6 months old, people with severe and life-threatening allergies to the ingredients within the vaccines and people that have previously had severe allergic reactions to the flu vaccine. 

Many people are unaware of their allergies or the ingredients of a flu vaccine, but this should not deter anyone from getting their shots as the healthcare practitioner administering the vaccine will ensure that a consultation has been conducted before hand. This consultation serves the purpose of making sure that the patient can safely receive their vaccine dose. 

COVID-19 and the Flu Vaccine 

Many people are under the misconception that if they have received the COVID-19 vaccine that they do not need the flu vaccine, however these vaccines do not serve the same purpose. So how are they different? Aside from the formulation and other fundamental differences, the answer is simply that the COVID-19 vaccine protects us against the SARS-CoV-2 Virus, and the flu vaccine protects us against influenza viruses. Although we should all be protected against both viruses it is recommended that these two shots should be received at least 14 days apart. 

Where can I get my flu shot this year? 

Many of our Alpha Pharm Pharmacies have stock of the four strain flu vaccine in their clinics and we are ready to take your bookings. Make a booking online here for your flu vaccine today or visit our pharmacy locator here to find your nearest Alpha Pharm Pharmacy. 

 

Protect yourself, protect your community, get vaccinated today. 

 

Health Tips Medicine Pharamcist

Understand The Flu Vaccine 2022

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Every year the influenza or flu vaccine is made available to help protect you and your loved ones from contacting the flu or influenza virus.

The flu vaccine can offer some protection from contacting the flu but does not fully protect you from catching it. The flu vaccine is available to most people under the age of 65 years. In certain instances, certain groups of people are cautioned from getting the flu vaccine and that decision is made by your medical practitioner.  

The group or people include:

  • Children  6 months  and younger 
  • people who have experienced a very bad reaction to the flu vaccine or any of its ingredients 
  • those with egg or mercury allergies 

Vaccination Process

Should you wish to get yourself and family vaccinated, you may do so at selected Alpha Pharm Pharmacies in your community  by making use of our Pharmacy Locator

The pharmacist or Alpha Clin clinic nursing sister will discuss the vaccine, different types of flu vaccines and what the benefits of getting the vaccine are. This is done to ensure you understand the benefits of the vaccine and as to what level of protection you would have.  

Some benefits include:

Flu Prevention

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “receiving the influenza vaccine is the most effective way to prevent yourself from becoming sick with the flu.”

Feeling less sick

“It’s still possible to get the flu after vaccination. If you do get sick with the flu, your symptoms may be milder if you got the vaccination.” 

Post Vaccination

Once you have gotten the vaccination, you may experience some pain at the vaccination site and may also experience some flu like symptoms – this varies from person to person. The flu vaccine takes about two weeks to start working and there is a chance you may still get the flu within this period.  

It is also encouraged that in conjunction to the flu vaccine, vitamins and immune boosters offer an additional layer of protection against seasonal flu. You should consult with your Alpha Pharm pharmacist during the vaccination process as to which vitamins and immune boosters you and your family should be taking.

 

Make a booking online today to get vaccinated

Pharmacy

Alpha Pharm – For better or for worse

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As the adage goes – it takes a village to raise a child and so too, importantly, it takes a community to secure their future.

The recent looting and  unrest left many of our pharmacies vulnerable and our immediate action was to initiate the “Back For Good” campaign. There was no hesitation from the entire Alpha Pharm Family from our execs, group staff members,  senior management team, business partners , unaffected pharmacies  and suppliers who all made sure that this miracle happened.

The  “Back For Good” initiative was actioned to cement our pharmacies in their communities and continue the good work which they have done over a span of a lifetime. Critically the primary  aim of this initiative was to rebuild and restock these pharmacies, save jobs and above all, ensure continued healthcare for the communities we serve. The combined effort  has restored faith in our fellowman, who kept the South African spirit and flame bright and alive. No looting can ever break our resolve or determination in our quest to provide healthcare in our beloved communities that we serve! So as long as we continue to stand as one, a united South Africa is possible!

On behalf of the Alpha Pharm family, I’d like to personally thank each and every supplier who came on board and helped restock the affected pharmacies with FREE stock, services and equipment. This act of kindness can probably never be repaid in fair proportion but as we well know the wheel turns and certainly no one will ever get dizzy from doing too many good turns. This collaborative effort helped kick the biggest rescue job in pharmacy history into action.

Thank you to the franchised, corporate and shareholder pharmacies for your tenacity, your ability to weather the storm and to show your communities how much you care for them by being BACK FOR GOOD.

Lastly, to Verona Fataar – a leader of leaders, Rogan Taylor, Teresa Rautenbach , Werner Styger and each and every member of staff who played a role to make this possible – thank you, thank you, thank you, we are all proud to be part of The Alpha Pharm Family.

by – Al van Buuren, CEO of Alpha Pharm Corporate Retail

Health Tips Pharmacy

Men shouldn’t avoid these symptoms

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Health symptoms men should never ignore!

Most men feel discouraged from talking about changes to their health in case they’re perceived as making a fuss, but the health consequences can be serious.

 

Here are some health symptoms men should never ignore:

 

Erectile Dysfunction: 

Most men feel uncomfortable or don’t want to talk about erectile dysfunction.

When symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, book an AlphaDoc Nurse-led Virtual Doctor Consultation www.alphacarebookings.co.za

 

Frequent Constipation:

Constipation is a common condition amongst most people. However, for some people, constipation can be a long-term or chronic condition which may lead to pain or discomfort.

Continued or long term constipation can lead to other conditions such as:

  • Rectal bleeding
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Diverticulitis – where pouches in the lining of the colon develop and become inflamed.

Constipation that lasts for more than a few days and the feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that’s not relieved by having one are also potential warning signs of colon cancer.

Up your daily intake of fibre, make sure you drink plenty of fluids, and try to get more exercise. If these changes don’t help and the problem continues, book an AlphaDoc Nurse-led Virtual Doctor Consultation www.alphacarebookings.co.za

 

 

 

Testicle lumps

For many men, a painless lump in the testicle is the most common sign of testicular cancer.

  • Other symptoms may include:
  • The feeling of extra weight in the scrotum.
  • A swelling of the testicle (with or without pain).
  • Pain or a dull ache in the testicle, scrotum, or groin.

You should make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any lumps, swelling, or pain in your testicles. You will also be able to find these changes early if you regularly self-examine your testicles.

 

Preventive measures

Keeping a keen eye out for early signs of health and wellbeing symptoms is important, but there are also steps you can take to protect yourself both now and in the future. These include:

  • Eat a healthy diet that includes all of the major food groups and watch your portion sizes.
  • Try to get 30 minutes or more exercise a day.
  • Conduct regular self examination of your testicles.
  • Look after your bones by taking regular vitamins and supplementation such as Alpha Calmag and Alpha MSN, which are available at an Alpha Pharm Pharmacy in your community>>> https://www.alphapharmacies.co.za/locationfinder/
  • Get regular health screenings and wellness checks at an Alpha Clin clinic.
  • Take time out for yourself. Around 30 minutes a day is ideal for you. Make it a time when you do something just for yourself. Like; reading, working in the garden, chatting online with friends, meditation or whatever relieves your stress!

 

Pharmacy

Welcome to Alpha Pharm : Eagles Landing

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Alpha Pharm Eagles Landing Pharmacy Grand Opening

Tucked directly in the heart of Randpark Ridge sits the newly opened, independently-owned, Alpha Pharm Eagles Landing Pharmacy ready to personalise the West Rand's community pharmacy experience. Since filling its first prescription, Eagles Landing Pharmacy has been making good on its promise to provide quality prescriptions, build community relationships and support local philanthropies and causes.The pharmacy is owned by pharmacist-in-charge Laurence Dumisani Mtetwa, who has chosen to partner with The Alpha Pharm Group, a fast-growing independent pharmacy network which allows independently-owned, community pharmacies to compete with the big chains.

"That's what's missing in pharmacies today," Mtetwa said. "Giving our patients that one-on-one attention. We want to know our patients and we want to be able to take care of our patients."Drawing from his own experiences of working in pharmacies, Mtetwa noticed a disconnect between the product and the patient."The atmosphere in major chains can be cold, especially when patients are presented with new medications or receiving vaccines," Mtetwa said. "Patients are not one-size-fits-all and neither should their care be. We are your community pharmacy we care not just for you as a patient but about you, we are going to be the best at taking the time to get to know you and help you understand your medications and how to get the most savings possible under your plan, I want to bring back the old pharmacy environment," he said. "Today's chain pharmacies, they don't even know the customers by name," he added.Saturday, 29 May 2021 saw the official grand opening of Alpha Pharm Eagles Landing Pharmacy. While all COVID protocols were followed, there was certainly excitement and care in the atmosphere. Patients across all generations, young and old came to support their new neighbour, Eagles Landing Pharmacy. The community got the personal care and attention they required as well as Free Blood pressure tests, freebies and much more...

The pharmacy is situated at 62 Scott Avenue and, Christiaan de Wet Rd, Randpark Ridge, Johannesburg and is open Monday to Saturday from 9am -8pm and Sundays, 9am -5pm. The pharmacy offers a full patient centered service offering from prescriptions, refills, clinic services, OTC medication, medicine advice and much more. Our community is extremely important to us, and we try to be active within it as much as possible. We hope that when the time comes when you need a prescription filled that you will put your trust in your neighbours at Alpha Pharm Eagles Landing Pharmacy.By supporting your local pharmacy, you can help make our community an even better place to live! Alpha Pharm united across generations for a healthier South Africa! For more information, call 0833617691 and follow us on Facebook

Charity

The Alpha Pharm Group standing side by side with Casual Day 2020

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The Alpha Pharm Group standing side by side with Casual Day 2020

A heartfelt thank you to the Alpha Pharm Community for supporting Casual Day 2020 and standing side by side with persons with disabilities, for equality!

Casual Day was launched in 1995 and is an awareness and fundraising campaign benefiting persons with disabilities.

The Alpha Pharm Group partnered once again with Casual Day in 2020, with the theme “Standing side by side for equality”. The Alpha Pharm Group embarked on a national campaign side by side with Casual Day promoting equality for persons with disabilities.

2020 saw 6696 stickers sold nationally raising an amount of R133 920. An amount of R54 152 went to the following chosen beneficiaries:

(The balance of money raised is allocated to the National Beneficiaries identified by NCPD.)

Handovers were done to each of the beneficiaries, which included much needed health and medical supplies which will be used to care & support persons with disabilities.

The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), is proud to announce the 27th Casual Day on 3rd September this year!

Inspired by Disney’s newly-announced The Ultimate Disney Princess Celebration, which champions the qualities embodied in the theme COURAGE & KINDNESS, we launch Casual Day 2021 with huge excitement.

We, hereby request you to not only have the Courage to assist people in need by buying your own sticker; but to also help us open doors to the Kindness of all South Africans to participate in large numbers.

For Casual Day we ask you to look deep inside and find your bravest, most compassionate self and ‘pay it forward’ into the world.

See More from the Alpha Pharm Foundation

Health Tips Medicine

Should men Supplement ?

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To Supplement or Not to Supplement

 

To power your body, men need a wide range of nutrients in the right balance. Vitamins are essential to your overall health. They perform many critical roles in your body, from producing energy to ensuring proper function of bodily systems.

Not getting enough of certain nutrients can negatively impact your health and even result in chronic diseases.

Here are essential vitamin supplements men need:

Vitamin C

Alpha C, also known as ascorbic acid is a water soluble vitamin found in various foods and is also sold as a dietary health supplement. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and a strong antioxidant that may reduce the risk of certain diseases.

Benefits of Vitamin C:

  • Boosts immunity.
  • Enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) is common in older men and causes problems with urination. Vitamin C may help reduce your risk of developing an enlarged prostate.
  • Vitamin C helps produce collagen, a connective tissue that holds muscles, bones and other tissues together.
  • It assists in protecting you from bruising by keeping capillary walls and blood vessels firm.
  • It helps your body absorb iron and folate from plant food sources.
  • Helps heal cuts and wounds and works as an antioxidant to inhibit damage to body cells.

Vitamin D

Alpha D3 is a fat-soluble vitamin which helps maintain healthy blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. It also enhances the absorption of calcium, helping to build and maintain strong bones.

 

Benefits of Alpha Vitamin D:

  • Vitamin D plays an essential role in the development of skeletal muscle, which is the muscle attached to bones that help move the body. Adequate vitamin D is also instrumental in optimising muscle strength and performance.
  • Vitamin D may assist in improving testosterone levels. Testosterone plays a crucial role in bone mass, muscle strength, fat distribution, and even sex drive.

Zinc

Men who are vegetarian often come up short on zinc. Zinc is needed for the proper growth and maintenance of the human body. It is f needed for immune function, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function, and much more. Alpha Zinc is a combination of Zinc, selenium and Vitamin A.

Benefits of Alpha Zinc:

  • Increases your immune system and helps fights colds
  • Zinc is an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. It  helps fight oxidative stress and decreases the chance for disease development.
  • Zinc is needed to balance most hormones, including insulin, the main hormone involved in the regulation of blood sugar.
  • Helps maintain heart health by supporting blood vessels within the cardiovascular system, while also lowering inflammation and oxidative stress.
  • Zinc plays an important role in fertility, especially modulating serum testosterone levels in men, which impacts fertility and libido.
  • Helps the body to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins .
  • Helps with muscle growth and repair.

Alpha C, D3 and Zinc are now available at an Alpha Pharm Pharmacy in your community>>> https://www.alphapharmacies.co.za/location-finder/

Flu Vaccination Blog Cover
Health Tips Medicine

2021 Flu Vaccinations

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The power to prevent the flu begins with YOU



Every year, the influenza virus causes epidemics of flu in communities throughout the country. This year may be especially burdensome due to the COVID-19 pandemic happening at the same time.


The flu shot, also known as the influenza vaccine, is a safe and effective way that helps prevent you from getting seasonal flu. Symptoms of the flu can range from mild to life-threatening.


Typical cases of the flu can last from three to five days with a cough lingering for up to three weeks.Flu symptoms include the following:

● A quick onset of feeling ill

● Fever/chills

● Fatigue

● Muscle/body aches

● Sore throat

● Cough

● Headache


Some people (often children) may also experience a stuffy nose, vomiting or diarrhoea. Also, it's important to note that not everyone will necessarily experience a fever with the flu.Who should get the Flu Vaccine?The annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone age 6 months or older. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of influenza complications, including:

● Pregnant women

● Older adults



● Young children


Chronic medical conditions also can increase your risk of influenza complications. Examples include:

● Asthma

● Cancer or cancer treatment

● Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

● Cystic fibrosis

● Diabetes

● HIV/AIDS

● Kidney or liver disease

● Obesity


Anyone with a chronic medical condition should get the flu vaccine.Who shouldn't get the Flu Vaccine?The influenza vaccine is very safe, although there are some groups of people that shouldn’t get it. They include:

● children less than 6 months of age

● people who have had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine or any of its ingredients

● those with egg or mercury allergies

● those with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)


Other Benefits of Flu Vaccine



Influenza is associated with higher rates of complications, hospitalisations and even death in individuals living with non-communicable diseases compared to the general population.





For example, people with asthma and COPD suffer from more severe breathing problems if they contract a respiratory infection such as influenza; those with diabetes–and pregnant women–are more likely than others to be hospitalised when they have flu; while the risk of stroke and heart attacks is increased three-and five-fold. Flu shots also allow the development of community immunity. If enough people get the vaccine, the flu is unable to spread rapidly through communities. As a result, people in high risk groups are less likely to get the flu. Flu shots are, therefore, important for protecting others from severe illnesses.


Protect the circle of life and the moments that matter the most by getting the flu vaccine today! Flu vaccines now available at a trusted Alpha Pharm Pharmacy in your community. Visit Our Facebook page @AlphaPharmOfficial or www.alphapharmacies.co.za for more info.


Alpha Pharm united through the generations for a healthier South Africa! Vaccinate! It's your best shot!

Health Tips

Keeping your heart healthy

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Keeping your heart-health in check and always on its everyday A-game

Written by Palesa Mbatha

As we approach salt awareness month annually observed in March, we can collectively agree that our heart is the most hardworking organ in our bodies. Our hearts beat every second, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no rest. Medical Professionals all around the world encourage us to take care of our hearts from an early stage so that our hearts can continue to take care of us until the later stages of our lives.

The hard reality still remains a fact that we are all prone to heart-related conditions whether we inherit them from our family history or we attract them through the unhealthy lifestyle choices we make.

To date, health statistics reveal that heart-related diseases and strokes are among the top causes of death, that are commonly influenced or aggravated by conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) and maintaining higher than medically acceptable cholesterol levels. There are other underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes) and other unhealthy habits (such as excessive sodium intake and smoking tobacco) that put us at risk of developing heart-related diseases, which unfortunately may lead to death if not treated timeously.

Fortunately, with the correct attitude and mindset we can control our food and lifestyle choices, inclusive of our sodium (salt) intake. It is important to know that too much sodium causes the body to retain water that causes an increase in hypertension and in-return puts a strain on our blood vessels, kidneys and heart.

What you put on your plate has a significant influence on every aspect of your heart health. A healthy nutritious diet with moderate sodium intake plays a major role in your heart health and can help reduce the risk of Heart-related diseases.

What happens when you put your ‘’heart-health’’ at risk:

  • Compromised Circulatory Disorders, such as fatigue or in extreme cases, chest pains.
  • The heart serves as a power supply for your whole body, therefore without the power supply other organs cannot function to their optimal capacity which increases the risk of the entire body system deteriorating and eventually shutting down if it is not treated in time.

Top 5 tips to help take better care of your heart-health:

  1. Reduce your sodium (salt) intake
  2. Eat a nutritious heart-healthy balanced diet
  3. Exercise
  4. Manage stress
  5. Go for routine wellness check-ups at an Alpha Clin Clinic in your community. Book your wellness checkup at AlphaCare bookings

Immediately seek help or visit an Alpha Pharm Pharmacy in your community when you experience any of the following signs:

  • Chest or back pain
  • Difficulty breathing or speaking
  • A rise in hypertension (blood pressure)
  • Loss of vision
  • Numbness or weakness

 

Pharamcist

Let me tell you about my pharmacist

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Let me tell you about my pharmacist

She knows MY Name and knows what I want but especially what I need.
He works 10-hour shifts and often pulls a double shift. Legally he can’t leave the pharmacy
unattended so that means no lunches and has a quick cup of tea if he is lucky.
We all want to speak to the pharmacist so she takes most of the calls.
He keeps a record of all your medication and from all your different doctors so he is 1st to pick
up errors, contraindications or even early warning signs.
She is passionate about my well-being; more than I and it is clear this is her calling!

He takes the time to tell me how to use my medication so that it can work, no postman or
courier can do that.
She knows my mom and my kids and my kids feel safe with her especially when they need
medication for that sore tummy – those meds that don’t taste nice but “her advice will make me
better dad”.
He saves me money by ensuring I get cost-effective generic medicines that work equally well as
the original product or suggest supplements that help me in the long run.
She often picks up that people are in dire need of a doctor or specialist and gets them an urgent
appointment, often she picks up that serious issue that other professionals haven’t and she
saves a life as a result.
He is on standby and often opens up after closing or on a Sunday because I called him and he
WANTS to help!
It’s never too much trouble for her to personally check my BP in the clinic or cholesterol or even
my sugar levels personally, in fact, she often insists on it knowing I’m a high-risk patient.
He makes sure my meds come out of the correct benefit so that my medical aid lasts, he even
reminds me that my chronic medicine is running low!
She trains her staff so well that we are treated well from the time we enter the pharmacy; to the
time we leave.
He has seen every rash, every bite, every infection, every wound before and his swift action and
recommendation are comforting and life-saving.
I know she works evenings and still has to go home and be a mom, cook food and yet she does
it with love.

He works most weekends, missing his kids grow up and sacrifices watching the big game, just
in case I need his help.

That’s why I know his name. Guess what? … He or she is not just my pharmacist, he’s YOURS
TOO!

These incredible people are fighting this pandemic and as the Frontline implies – they are taking
the first hits; they are delivering medicines to people in isolation or those infected but without
fear or favour they are servicing people who may not know their status – the pharmacist does
not look at a patient as a positive or negative but as someone who is in desperate need of care.
Currently, most community pharmacies are short-staffed, battling to get essential supplies and
the overall system is strained. It sadly must also be pointed out that Frontline pharmacists are
not just fighting this pandemic but are in full support of patients who are suffering, not with
COVID but with other direct impacts caused by COVID. They are the first to be called because of
stress-related issues, let’s face it, people are worried about loved ones or may have lost their
jobs, income or their businesses may be taking the strain. Pharmacists know all too well that the
vulnerable need to be protected and as a result are making sure that the people with co-
mobilities receive that extra care, that extra care that they are not paid for, that pearl of wisdom
that keeps the patient safe, well or at the very least – comfortable. But the pharmacist is the first
port of call for a cough, a headache, sore back, bladder or bowel issues etc etc etc basically
they are called upon first and always put you first! We are made to feel special; we are not just a
number or a statistic!

This is just to honour these wonderful people on the Frontline right now fighting for us, keeping
us safe, ensuring we have the meds and health advice and care we need! These people and
their staff are extremely exposed right now working in our interest.

I just want to thank and acknowledge the commitment each and every one of our community
pharmacists is showing right now. Showing up, stepping up, not giving up and making sure they
lift us up. Words cannot express our sincere gratitude at this point to all these men and women
on the Frontline, even those who are not well, are on the phone helping the temps and locums
to deliver unparalleled care for us all. We salute you all. Stay safe!

Al van Buuren
CEO
Alpha Corporate Retail

© Alpha Pharm | 2022

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