Pharmacy on Web

22 April 2010

 1 in 4 new zealand women or 20% do not take enough calcium as per the recommended daily intake (RDI),which was found in the 1997 National nutritional survey by Howarth C et al.
As a result there is an osteoporotic fracture every 6 minutes which is found in the report, The burden of Osteoporosis in New Zealand:2007-2020 prepared for Osteoporosis NZ Inc. This number seems alarming but gets worse as the report estimates the number of fractures to increase by 30% in 2020.
A simple targeted health interventions is the primary answer to reducing the inccidence of osteoporosis, increasing your calcium intake is The World Health Organisation recommendation.
A combination of calcium and Vitimin D therapy is proven to be effective in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Caltrate 600mg with extra Vitamin D  to help the absorption of calcium provides 46-60% of the recommended daily intake for adults. This is an easy and simple mean of getting enough calcium in your body.

14 April 2010

Researchers at the Jichi Medical University in Japan have taken to heart the idea that women are looking for safer alternatives to side effect and long-term risk ridden HRT drugs.
The researchers turned to plant extracts with oestrogenic activity such as daidzein, genistein, cournestrol, resveratrol and glycitein. They investigated the effects ofthese natural substances on cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis (healthy/programmed cell death)and various cell receptor sights (including breast cancer cells). From the findings of their study, published in the Journal of Nutritional Bio-chemistry, the researchers conclude that because resveratrol stimulated the transcription of endogenous oestrogen receptor (ER) and proapoptotic effects, this phytoestrogen is the most promising candidate as an HRT alternative and chemopreventive reagent for breast cancer

17 March 2010

Changes to the indications for use of these products over-the-counter (OTC) in children has  been under review during 2009. In July and August 2009 a Working Group comprising key stakeholders, under the direction of Medsafe, met to discuss whether or not a change to current contraindications for children under 2 years of age was required. After extensive discussion the advice provided to Medsafe is detailed below.

1. The group recommended that all medicines indicated for the treatment of the common cold be contraindicated for use in children less than 6 years of age with the exception of bromhexine and topical nasal decongestants.

2. The group recommended that a referral be made to the Medicines Classification Committee to consider the reclassification of all medicines indicated for the treatment of the common cold to a pharmacy based classification, with the exception of brornhexine and topical nasal decongestants.

3. The group recommended that a referral be made to the Medicines Classification Committee to confirm the appropriateness of the current pharmacy only classification of bromhexine and topical nasal decongestants indicated for the treatment of the common cold.

Changes are effective in Pharmacies across New Zealand from 1 April 2011.