Millions Suffer Due To Misuse of Hay Fever Medication

Millions of people are unnecessarily suffering due to misuse of hay fever medication, according to Allergy UK.

It is estimated that more than 18 million people suffer from hay fever, also called allergy rhinitis, in the UK.

Surprisingly, researchers have found that for nearly 62% of people with allergic rhinitis, hay fever medication is not effective. Only 4% say that their hay fever medication makes them feel good, while for majority of them, medicine makes their hay fever just bearable.

Experts in UK are asking people to urgently get their hay fever medications reviewed.

A recent study pinpoints to the misuse of hay fever medication as one of the major causes of suffering. Over 39% hay fever victims use steroidal nasal spray, but it is found that only 14% of them are actually using it appropriately. This means for over 85% people with hay fever, nasal sprays will not work aptly.

The experts of Allergy UK say that the research has shown how dependant sufferers are on hay fever medication for years together, but unfortunately for most people, it is not working, or being used inappropriately.

This Allergy Awareness Week, Pharmacy Outlet is urging people to check whether they are using hay fever medication correctly rather than prolonging their suffering. If your symptoms do not subside even after treatment, it is imperative to see your GP to control this distressing condition.

About 85% of people using antihistamine drugs do so on a daily basis, while 62% use steroid nasal sprays every day, which is incorrect. Overuse of nasal sprays can worsen your condition. So, Pharmacy Outlet is urging people to seek advice from their GP or pharmacist about reviewing their use of medicine.

Allergy Awareness Week runs from 24th April to 1st May. Pharmacy Outlet encourages everyone to get involved, show their support and raise awareness.

Pharmacy Outlet is a UK’s registered online pharmacy that deals in a wide range of allergy medicines. It always advises people to seek medical help before using any hay fever medication.

Repeat Prescription Online Is Easy Via Pharmacy Outlet

Pharmacy Outlet, a UK’s registered online pharmacy, is operated by Pharmacentric Limited, which is situated at 40 London Road, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey. This online pharmacy is registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agencies (MHRA) and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

This internet pharmacy deals in a wide range of medications that are therapeutically proven. More importantly, it offers NHS Prescription, Electronic Prescription (Repeat Prescription) and Private Prescription service online.

How repeat prescription online service works?

• Place your order online
• The clinical staff members get your prescription from your prescribing doctor
• The representatives will let you know when your medication is ready
• You can collect your medicine from Pharmacentric Ltd., or get it delivered at your home

Benefits

Pharmacy Outlet saves you time because you will have very few visits back and forth to your prescribing doctor.

It is convenient to use because you can collect your medicines at Pharmacentric Limited, 40 London Road, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9AA, or get them delivered at your preferred UK address.

It will take a few days to review and dispense your medication. You can even choose a later date after reviewing of your order. Pharmacy Outlet will remind you about your next prescription due for future orders via email alert, so that you do not run out of your medicines and get them in time.

You can nominate Pharmacy Outlet simply by completing the registration or by calling the helpful team on 03333 222 400.

The repeat prescription online service of Pharmacy Outlet is free. The store offers free delivery on your repeat prescriptions. Plus, this service saves the environment, as it is paperless.

If you wish to change or cancel your nomination with Pharmacy Outlet, you can either speak to the clinical staff or your GP.

Pharmacy Outlet Provides NHS Electronic Prescription Service

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is an amazing online service for patients, GPs and pharmacist. If you get regular prescriptions from your GP, the EPS will be able to save your time by cutting down the unnecessary trips to your GP.

The NHS Electronic Prescription Service makes it possible for your regular prescriptions to be sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice.

Choosing a chemist to process your electronic prescription service is known as nomination. You need not have to collect a paper prescription from your doctor; instead you go straight to your nominated chemist to receive your medicines. And if you nominate an online chemist like Pharmacy Outlet, you do not require going to a pharmacy; you will receive your medicines at your doorstep for free.

Since your pharmacist has already got the prescription through internet, they will be able to prepare your medications and dispense it without any extra waiting.

You can order or cancel repeat prescriptions online if your GP offers an online medical service.

Experts opine that EPS will become a default option for prescribing and dispensing of prescription in England. You can use EPS as long as both your doctor and pharmacy offer the service.

Pharmacy Outlet offers NHS Electronic Prescription Service. You can nominate it to get your regular prescription delivered for free. It is absolutely flexible and can be changed at any point of time, just make sure you inform your GP and the pharmacist.

EPS is secure, reliable and confidential. Your electronic prescription can be seen by your GP, pharmacists and NHS prescription payment & fraud agencies. The NHS is able to see whether you have nominated more than one pharmacy and can even check where your prescriptions are delivered.

Pharmacy Outlet provides sufficient information about EPS to people and take their consent before the nomination is recorded.

If you are unhappy with the experience of the nomination, you can talk to the pharmacy or GP.

Nominate Pharmacy Outlet by completing the registration form or call on 03333 222 400.

Allergy Awareness Week 24 April – 1 May 2017

Allergy Awareness Week is observed annually by Allergy UK to draw attention and raise awareness about the common issues faced by allergy victims.

During the week, the representatives of Allergy UK run various events and raise awareness of the things people are affected by different types of allergies.

• One in four Brits suffer from allergies induced by common factors such as pollen, dust, moulds, pet dander and pollutants
• People are six times more likely to use an over-the-counter medicines than finding a home remedy
• Nearly 26% of people with allergies do not know how to stay away from allergens in the home
• Approximately 15% confess that they do not clean or change their bedsheets adhered with dust for more than three months, which is the potential cause of allergy

Spring has finally arrived and that means allergy season has kicked off. Pollen is one of the most common factors responsible for causing allergy during spring.

One in ten people take precautionary measures to reduce the levels of certain allergens in their home, which include washing clothes regularly, using air filters or humidifiers, etc.

Many people woke up with itching or skin rashes that they could not explain the exact cause, while some thought that clothing, towel or bed linen made them have those rashes. Here, dust or dust mites could be the reason behind allergy.

Avoiding allergen is probably the best way to prevent any kind of allergy. You can reduce spending time outdoors when the pollen count is relatively high. Use special anti-allergy appliances that help you combat allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, mould and pollen.

Additionally, you can use Haymax Hayfever Organic Drug-free Balm to prevent the pollen from entering your nasal passages. Make sure you wash your clothes, bed linen, bedsheets and pillows on a regular basis to keep them away from dust mites.

This Allergy Awareness Week, Pharmacy Outlet encourages people to take preventive measures in order to stay away from allergy.

The Importance of St George’s Day in England

St George’s Day is the England’s national day that falls on April 23.

The day commemorates St George – a dragon-slaying saint of England.

One of the Christian martyrs. St George represents traditional English bravery and chivalry.

Even though he wasn’t English, we have made him the symbol of our nation. His emblem is a red cross on a white background. It is England’s flag that forms part of the Union flag i.e. the flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland.

According to legends, St George saved a princess by slaying a dragon when he was in the Roman army as a soldier.

How does England celebrate this day?

St George’s Day was declared as a national holiday in the year 1415. It grew become popular until the 18^th century when celebrations declined after England merged with Scotland in 1707. Fervent England fans commemorate the day by conducting parades, dancing and waving flags. Many people wear a rose, England’s national flower.

Know about St George

He was apparently born in Cappadocia, which is now called Turkey. As a soldier, he rose through the ranks of the Roman army. However, later, he protested against ethnic emperor’s prosecution of Christians and then he was imprisoned, tortured, dragged onto the streets and beheaded on April 23, 303 in Palestine. He is buried in Israel.

St George’s cross emblem was adopted by the king Richard and brought to England in the 12^th century. The soldiers wore it on their uniform during the battle to prevent confusion.

St George Day is also celebrated in places such as Germany, Portugal, Romania, Greece, Istanbul and Ethiopia.

In Great Britain, St George has also inspired medals for bravery. The medal depicts the patron saint slaying the dragon on top of his horse. The St George’s flag is always present in English cricket, football and rugby matches and waved by patriotic supporters.

Pharmacy Outlet commemorates St George’s Day by remembering his bravery!   

NRT Is The Best Stop Smoking Medication

Improve your chances of quitting with effective stop smokingmedications.

For many people, nicotine craving is the most difficult thing to handle. There are several stop smoking medications that can give you necessary assistance to beat the addiction. Basically, there are three types of stop smoking pills viz. Varenicline, Bupropion and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).

By smoking regularly, your body becomes addictive to nicotine. So giving up on smoking can increase the risk of nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which include headaches, cravings, feeling irritable, anxiety, cravings and sleeplessness. Stop smoking medication can help manage these withdrawal symptoms.

Of all stop smoking pills, NRT has been found safe and effective. It is available in chewing gums, lozenges, skin patches, mouth and nasal sprays. Moreover, NRT can be bought from local or online pharmacies without a prescription, whereas Varenicline and Bupropion are available on prescription.

NRT usually gives you a little amount of nicotine that you receive in abundant from cigarettes, but without all toxic elements such as carbon monoxide, cyanide and tar. NRT has been found effective and is used by millions of smokers. A full course of therapy usually lasts for around 8 to 12 weeks. Since NRT is much safer than actual smoking, it can be used for longer duration if it helps you quit smoking.

Some people think NRT is just switching one addiction to another. This is not true!

Smoking is extremely addictive and that’s because the nicotine is delivered very quickly to the brain, which makes quitting a bit difficult. Products used as a part of NRT contain low amount of nicotine, making you less addictive to nicotine. NRT releases very less nicotine than smoking. Plus, cigarette smoke contains carcinogen elements such as carbon monoxide, tar, cyanide, etc.

NRT is a better option than other stop smoking medicines. Clinical studies have found that NRT is safe to use and suitable for most adults. However, people with heart conditions should check with their doctor. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should see their GP before using NRT products.

Most products of NRT are recommended to use for nearly 12 weeks. It is imperative to use it unless your GP or NHS stop smoking consultant tells you to discontinue. Regular use of NRT can help you quit smoking and get rid of nicotine withdrawal symptoms.     

You can buy stop smoking chewing gums used as a part of NRT such as Nicorette Freshfruit Sugar-Free Gum at Pharmacy Outlet, which helps quit smoking.

How To Get Out-of-hour Medications

If you run out of your medications during normal closing hours and need them urgently, there are a few ways you can get your emergency supply promptly, even if you are away from home.

If you have a prescription with you and urgently need the medications, try the below-mentioned steps:

• If your local pharmacy in UK is closed, use the NHS pharmacy service to find the nearby pharmacies and their working hours. Some of the community pharmacies are open until midnight and even on public holidays.

• If you want to speak to someone first, call NHS free of charge by dialling 111. The executive you speak to will help you find an out-of-hour pharmacy in UK or another NHS service in your area.

• You can try calling your GP in case of emergency. The GPs should have details of their out-of-hours service recorded on their communication machines. This is a service your doctor runs during the usual closing hours or on public holidays.

• In case of real emergency, use the NHS service search to find the nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) unit.

If you require over-the-counter medicines such as an antacid or paracetamol and you do not find an open pharmacy, you can approach supermarkets, petrol stations or newsagents. These places have longer opening hours than local pharmacies.

If you do not have prescription to get prescription-only medicines during emergency, you may be able to get an urgent supply from a pharmacy in UK without a prescription. In such case, you will be interviewed by the medicine dispenser to find out whether there is indeed an immediate requirement of the medicine, whether you can be able to provide a prescription without much delay and whether the medication is prescribed by your doctor.

It is imperative for the pharmacist to be assured of all these things before supplying a prescription-only drug without a prescription. If the pharmacy is not satisfied with the answers, they may not supply the medication.

If you run out of medications while you are away from your home, you can have a consultation with a local GP and get a limited supply of your prescriptions. You need to check for a nearest pharmacy.

What Is Hay Fever Sore Throat?

Dry, itchy or sore throat is a common symptom caused by hay fever. A hay fever sore throat is an irritating and debilitating symptom that is usually associated with nasal congestion or blocked nose. Your mouth cannot filter air just like the nasal passages during hay fever, which means you experience tickling and irritation in your throat.

Dry, itchy or sore throats may not be the classical symptoms of hay fever caused during springs. But for those who experience sore throat, it becomes extremely difficult for them to eat or drink. Hay fever throat symptoms are painful and annoying.

How hay fever causes dry, itchy and sore throat?

When you hold your nose, you can still breathe through your mouth. Nasal congestion caused by hay fever blocks your nose, making breathing difficult, so you tend to use your mouth to breathe. Nasal blockage means that you breathe in the cold air, making the throat dry. Hence, the first hay fever throat symptom is dryness.

When you are forced to breathe through mouth due to nasal blockage, you are directly inviting the pollen to enter your system. Pollen adheres to your throat, irritating the sensitive tissues. This triggers the secretion of chemical called histamine that irritates the nerve ending, causing throat irritation.

If you experience dryness and irritation of throat for a prolonged period of time, your tissues in the throat swell and become red. Inflammation of throat is experienced as a sore throat. Eventually, the mucus membranes of the throat become tender, which is why you experience pain while swallowing.

Hay fever sore throat treatment

Conventional Medicines – If you have hay fever sore throat, an antihistamine medicine could be of great help. In addition, you may require sore throat lozenges (Strepsils Sore Throat & Blocked Nose Lozenges) and painkillers that are easily available from a local or online pharmacy.

Home Remedies – It is important that you drink plenty of water to keep your throat moist. You can also drink herbal teas, soups or a concoction of warm water and honey to soothe your throat. Gargling with salt-warm-water is another good remedy for itchy and sore throat.

The best way to prevent hay fever sore throat is to stay away from pollen, especially when the pollen count is high. Minimising your exposure to pollen during springs can prevent dry, itchy or sore throat.

Buy Prescription Drugs Online From A Legitimate Online Pharmacy

There are many risks of buying prescription drugs online, especially if you choose a rogue online pharmacy. Buying prescription drugs online without proper medical consultation and without providing prescription invites all sorts of dangers.

Misusing prescription drugs would prove to be fatal, as many of such drugs are highly addictive and contain unwanted ingredients. If you buy prescription drugs online from a non-accredited website, it is more likely that you receive fake or outdated drugs.

Is it legal? It is absolutely illegal to buy prescription-only drugs without a doctor’s prescription or consultation in the UK, regardless of online of offline.

It is legal if you consult your doctor and provide a prescription to a registered website before buying medicines online. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has the power to seize the British-based online pharmacies that break the law.

How to be safe? The MHRA and GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) registered websites are a safe place to buy prescription drugs online. That’s because they ask you to provide prescription to buy medications online. You can check for MHRA and GPhC logo on the home page of the website.

IN the UK, since many years, the misuse of over-the-counter as well as prescription medicines has become a major problem. Thousands of people’s lives are at stake by misusing prescription drugs bought from the outside of the UK.

Experts are also increasingly concerned about the user buying prescription medicines online, where they are exposed to the risk of buying unapproved products that could harm one’s health.

Pharmacy Outlet is one of the UK’s online pharmacy that follow quality standards and guidelines laid by the MHRA and GPhC. The store asks people to submit their prescription to buy prescription drugs online. However, if you want to buy OTC medicines, there is no need to provide a prescription, but it is important that you seek medical help before ordering.

Is There A Cure For Hayfever?

Hay fever is an allergic condition characterised by the symptoms of sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal discharge and itchy eyes. Simply put, an allergy to tree or grass pollen is called hay fever. Also known as allergic rhinitis, Hay fever affects one in five people in the UK.

How to cure Hay fever? Are there are medications that cure Hay fever? People often browse internet to find out the best cure for Hay fever.

Unfortunately, there is no cure to Hay fever! However, symptomatic treatment helps reduce Hay fever.

Treatment for Hay fever usually depends on the severity of the symptoms. There are several types of medicines available in pharmacies. Some are available over-the-counter, while some on providing a prescription. Check with your GP or pharmacist for appropriate and suitable Hay fever medicine.

Treating Hay fever

Antihistamines help relieve Hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and headache. There are different types of antihistamines; some of them make you drowsy, while some not. Newer antihistamines are less likely to produce drowsiness. Antihistamines are available as pills, liquid form (for children), or nasal sprays.

Decongestant nasal sprays are the next best thing for Hay fever to unblock your nose. You might have to use decongestant nasal sprays only for a prescribed duration. Eye drops are prescribed to ease itchy, red and watery eyes.

Steroid tablets and nasal sprays are recommended when oral antihistamines and decongestants fail to relieve Hay fever symptoms. Steroids are the drugs that are used to reduce inflammation. You should use steroid tablets or nasal sprays under the supervision of your GP. They are available on providing your doctor’s prescription.

Immunotherapy is advised in recurrent and advanced cases of Hay fever. It reduces your immune system’s tendency to react to pollen or any other allergen. Talk to your GP if immunotherapy is suitable for you and if it is, your GP will refer to a specialist.

Is there a vaccine to prevent Hay fever?

Those who talk about Hay fever vaccine usually talk about desensitisation or immunotherapy. A short course of oral steroids is enough to safely and effectively treat Hay fever.

Do I have to deal with Hay fever for the rest of my life?

Not necessarily! Many people with Hay fever experience remarkable improvement as they get older. Nearly half of the people with Hay fever report some improvement after several years, while in some people, Hay fever symptoms subside completely.

Although incurable, Hay fever is treatable with oral antihistamines, nasal sprays and eye drops, which are available at Pharmacy Outlet.

Who can Provide You Pharmacy Prescription?

Under UK law, only registered healthcare practitioners can provide you a pharmacy prescription. A medicine prescriber is a medical professional who has the licence to write a pharmacy prescription. This applies to the NHS prescriptions as well as private prescriptions.

An appropriate healthcare practitioner is

• An independent prescriber – Someone who is able to prescribe medications under their own initiative

• A supplementary prescriber – Someone who is able to prescribe medications in association with a pre-agreed healthcare plan drawn up between a GP and a patient

Independent PrescribersIndependent prescribers are medical professionals who are responsible for assessing your health and making clinical decisions about treating your condition, including prescribing medicines. They could be doctors or GPs, dentists (particularly for oral health), nurse independent prescribers or pharmacist independent prescribers.

Nurse independent prescribers can advise medicines for medical problems within their competence, including some MHRA controlled medications. Even pharmacist independent prescribers can suggest you pharmacy prescriptions for minor ailments within their competence.

Supplementary PrescribersA supplementary prescriber is responsible for continuing your health care after the assessment of your condition by an independent prescriber. Usually, supplementary prescribers work with an independent prescriber to carry out a therapeutic plan agreed between the prescriber and you. A supplementary prescriber could be a nurse, pharmacist, podiatrist, physiotherapist or optometrist.

For instance, your doctor (an independent prescriber) will assess your condition such as osteoarthritis and refer you to a physiotherapist (a supplementary prescriber) to manage your long-term care. So, here, your physiotherapist will be able to prescribe medications that are required for your long-term treatment plan.

Can I pick pharmacy prescription for someone else?You can collect a repeat prescription from a doctor for your relative or friend, but not a NHS prescription or a private prescription. For repeat prescriptions, you will be asked to confirm the name and address of the patient you are collecting the pharmacy prescription for. Some may even ask for your identity proof to prevent incorrect prescription. Your local or online pharmacy such as Pharmacy Outlet may offer a prescription collection service.

You can take a prescription to the pharmacy to collect someone else’s medicine for them. However, the patient must complete one of the prescription forms and the person collecting medicines must complete a few questionnaires.

If you want to collect pharmacy prescription for controlled medicine, the pharmacist will request you to provide a proof for identity. The dispensing pharmacist has the right to assess the pharmacy prescription and the person collecting it.

Pharmacy Outlet is one of the UK’s registered online pharmacies that offer NHS prescriptions, electronic prescriptions, repeat prescription and private prescriptions.

Let’s Go Green This Earth Day

People across the world celebrate Earth Day every year on April 22!

How did earth day come about? How do we celebrate this day? Here’s what you need to know!

First and foremost, tackling the climate and protecting the environment is more important on this Earth Day.

Earth is a planet where we live on and is a place to millions and billions of humans and innumerable plants and animals. Due to increasing global warming and climatic changes, many people are eager to protect the earth. This means every year, worldwide, people come together to raise awareness about going green to commemorate Earth Day.

What’s Earth Day?Earth Day is an annual event celebrated across the world to raise awareness of environmental protection. It is held on April 22 every year. The aim is to motivate people to do things that can benefit the earth, such as planting more trees, using solar power or recycling more. This event is celebrated all over the world and is described as the largest secular holiday.

Interestingly, Earth Day began after an apocalyptic oil spill around 50 years back. This prompted some peace activists to raise awareness of environmental protection. A group of activists proposed that this day must be set aside to honour the environment and the earth.

People can observe Earth Day by doing simple things such as recycling more and planting more trees. The first Earth Day took place in the year 1970. It is now celebrated in nearly 190 countries across the globe by billion people.

You can celebrate Earth Day by taking part in various events that take place across the world. The aim is to do something that will benefit the earth and environment.

Pharmacy Outlet urges people to plant more trees and save the environment from global warming this Earth Day.

Antihistamines For Hayfever

Antihistamines are common medications used to relieve allergic symptoms such as hay fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis and other reactions.

Most antihistamines can be purchased through registered local or online pharmacies, but some are available only after providing prescription.

There are several types of antihistamines, but they are categorised mainly in two groups – Older antihistamines and newer antihistamines. Older medicines make you feel sleepy as they carry sedating effects, while newer ones are non-drowsy hayfever tablets that make you less sleepy.

Chlorphenamine, promethazine and hydroxyzine are sedative antihistamines. No drowsy hayfever medicines include Cetirizine, Fexofenadine and Loratadine.

How they work?

Hayfever is triggered by an allergen called pollen. When pollen enters the body, an allergic reaction takes place, wherein the body releases histamine, a chemical that causes inflammation. Antihistamines stop the body from releasing histamine by acting on histamine receptors. Once histamine secretion is stopped, the inflammation subsides, thereby reducing hayfever symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, nasal congestion, nasal discharge and headache.

There is not much evidence on suggesting the best type of antihistamine to relieve hayfever. Non drowsy hayfever tablets are typically the best option, as they are less likely to make you drowsy. However, some sedative antihistamines are better if you hayfever symptoms affect your sleep. Your GP is the right person to advise you the best antihistamine.

How to use?Antihistamines are to be used under the supervision of your GP, irrespective of drowsy or non-drowsy ones. You need to follow all directions carefully before and while using these strong hayfever tablets. Ask your GP when and how to take oral antihistamines.

Some antihistamines may cause dry mouth, blur vision, scanty urination and weakness. Talk to your GP in case of any side effect that persists for longer period of time.

If you are looking of effective and strongest hayfever tablet UK, visit Pharmacy Outlet. This UK’s registered online pharmacy deals in OTC as well as prescription antihistamines. Make sure you check with your GP before using any antihistamine.