Category: Pharamcist

  1. Homepage
  2. Pharamcist
Health Tips Medicine Pharamcist Uncategorized

The importance of Flu Vaccinations

on 0

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. 

Health Tips Medicine Pharamcist

Understand The Flu Vaccine 2022

on 0

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

Pharamcist

Let me tell you about my pharmacist

on 0

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

Medicine Pharamcist

The Misunderstood lives of Pharmacists

on 0

The misunderstood lives of pharmacists

Anachronistic concepts such as the apothecary and its alchemist that used to occupy the chemical dispensing field, are no longer relevant to today’s society, but what does a day in a pharmacists life really look like?

Pharmacists as we know dispense drugs and medications that are prescribed to patients by doctors and specialists. Sorting and counting the pills, capsules and tablets actually forms a very minor part of the pharmacists’ day, as most modern medicines are pre-packed per their recommended scheduling use and quantities. Many misconceptions circulate society regarding a pharmacists true duties and responsibilities, so lets explore the truth of the matter.

What do Pharmacists do on a daily basis?

Pharmacists require a very specific and comprehensive knowledge base of medicine the the chemicals that they are formulated from in order to explain to customers how the medicine works, how to take the medicine and possible side effects caused by the medicine.

In addition to this service, pharmacists will also make use of digital filing systems to keep patient records on so that they may advise patients regarding allergies or the unintentional combination of medicines causing possibly volatile results. It has become even more important in a globalised market that pharmacists attentively aid patients in selecting appropriate and ideal over the counter medicines from a now vast selection available.

Pharmacist or business owner?

In the case of many Alpha Pharm community pharmacies, the pharmacist is also the owner of the pharmacy itself. As such their daily routine includes a myriad of tasks related to successful business management, to mention only a few:

 

  • Taking stock counts, ordering and buying new stock (consider about all the different things that you can buy at an Alpha Pharm pharmacy)

 

  • Setting competitive prices and doing financial bookkeeping.

 

  • Hiring competent staff and ensuring that the pharmacy as a business is managed to a high degree of efficacy.

Any other responsibilities?

Having understood what pharmacist’s days look like in a nut shell, it is also important to consider that a vocation in dispensing scheduled medicine holds a lot of responsibilities attached to it. These scheduled medicines are strictly controlled by laws to protect members of the public, in accordance with these laws the pharmacists need to take the time every year to keep in accordance with the constantly changing policies. Additionally pharmacists need to keep track not only of the medicines that they dispense but also of expired medicines and leftover pills that customers return for safe and ethical destruction.

Renaissance men and women

After looking into the work lives of pharmacists, it becomes increasingly clear that caring, professional and attentive community pharmacists not only still have a role in globalised society, but their role has become absolutely vital to the patients journey of good health and prosperity.

© Alpha Pharm | 2022

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Learn more