Pharmacists in a COVID-19 Society: How Will We Change from This Experience?

The spread of COVID-19 has influenced every aspect of humankind. From professional to personal lives, COVID-19 has affected the global situation adversely. Like every industry, pharmacy is also affected by the spread of pandemic. However, the demand of medicine and drugs has been raised tremendously. Even if the industries have come to their knees in front of coronavirus outbreak, the raise in pharmacy dependency has changed the way we treat the major ailments.

Pharmacy Medicines

Pharmacists play a vital role in healthcare system and are considered as trusted source for patients of course, there is a lot that pharmacists can put emphasis on to help public to treat health threat. Of course, pharmacists have been changed in the COVID-19 society and you will surely observe a different experience these days.

Here are the ways described to keep you aware of what pharmacists are doing to help you in COVID-19 society.

Innovation Beyond the Store

Pharmacists are changing the way they deal with healthcare sector. Innovation is occurring in the sector of pharmacy. Since the vaccine to treat COVID-19 is underway, taking precautions is the only way to prevent the spread of coronavirus outbreak. However, it really does not mean that pharmacists will leave you in a dilemma. They go beyond the stores to help you out will all your medicinal needs. They are ready to play their roles by selling medicines online. You can now choose to shop medicine online and get it delivered while staying safe during Coronavirus pandemic.

Educating People About Infection and Prevention

Locating the solution won’t work if you don’t make people aware of the deadly disease. Pharmacists are now taking initiatives to educate people about infection and prevention. Pharmacists strive to keep people aware of symptoms and causes of spreading of COVID-19. They are helping people in implementing the precautions to stay safe at home.

Introducing People to Reliable Resources

Coronavirus Outbreak

Many options are available and ideas are also there. Spreading of coronavirus has introduced new avenues of purchasing reliable medicines. Pharmacists start to address the health issues of people by directly offering them reliable medicines. They are introducing people to reliable and effective resources where they can find medicines at affordable costs.

Keeping People Up-To-Date

Keeping everyone updated about the current circumstances has become the prime goal for pharmacists now. They are focusing on spreading awareness among the people. That’s why they are selling online medicines to avoid crowding. Pharmacists ensure you stay updated about the recent condition of COVID-19. From social distancing to maintaining personal hygiene, pharmacists ensure you will stay aware of everything and stay safe against COVID-19 outbreak.

Final Words

Pharmacists have changed the way you take care of your health. You can now stay aware of anything you read about coronavirus outbreak if you choose a reliable pharmacist. Now, search around and meet a professional that actually cares about your health. Communicating with experts will definitely help you seize the opportunity to stay safe while experiencing a new and innovative way of shopping medicines.

5 Things You May Not Know About Vitamin D

Vitamin D, we all know it — it’s the reason we all need to get some sunlight each day as part of a healthy lifestyle. But there are many things you may not know about Vitamin D, and how it can benefit your health — here’s five!

  1. Vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle weakness and bone defects. Vitamin D deficiency is mainly caused due to a lack of exposure to sunlight, and it’s for that reason that many people assume low Vitamin D will just lead to tiredness. But severe deficiency can actually result in much worse conditions, such as osteopenia (bone weakness), rickets (the children’s equivalent), muscle weakness, and bone defects. So it’s important to make sure you’re getting the dose you need to keep your body healthy.
  2. Vitamin D goes on a long journey before it’s actually used up by the body. When we absorb ultraviolet radiation from the sun, Vitamin D is formed in the skin. This chemical, however, is actually biologically inactive — meaning, it’s not useful to the body yet, and needs to go through some changes before we can put it to work absorbing key nutrients. This happens in the kidney and liver, where Vitamin D is changed into the active form, calcitriol, and then circulated throughout the body in the blood.
  3. Certain medications you might be taking can affect vitamin D absorption. Are you regularly using a prescription medication? Check with your doctor or pharmacist on when to take these medications in between vitamin D3 doses, so that you get the most out of your supplement.
  4. 1 in 4 Australians is deficient in Vitamin D. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 23% of Australians have a Vitamin D deficiency, with around 7% having a moderate or severe deficiency. 18 to 34 year olds are the worst affected age group, with 31% having a Vitamin D deficiency. This also varies by season: in the summer, New South Wales residents have the highest overall rates of deficiency at 19%, while in winter, Victoria and the ACT lead with a shocking 49%. That’s nearly one in every two people deficient in Vitamin D!
  5. Vitamin D comes in lots of forms. The most well known source of Vitamin D is sunlight, and there’s still no better way to get your daily dose. Some foods also include Vitamin D, such as dairy products, eggs, and fatty fish. 
    If you’re feeling the symptoms of low Vitamin D, the first step is to see your doctor and get tested. If you find you’re in need of a boost, a Vitamin D supplement may also be able to help. Research estimates around 1 in 20 Australians use Vitamin D supplements to keep healthy. Sometimes, though, the standard medications aren’t quite right for you or your family. At NexGen Pharma, we can make a great-tasting liquid for children, or weekly or monthly capsules to help get you back on track. Find out more here.

Let us know in the comments if you have any Vitamin D tips or facts of your own!

Sources:

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2014, 4364.0.55.006 – Australian Health Survey: Biomedical Results for Nutrients, 2011-12, ABS, https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4364.0.55.006Chapter2002011-12

AMH 2019, Colecalciferol, Australian Medicines Handbook

Royal Pharmaceutical Society 2019, Vitamin D Substances, Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference

Therapeutic Guidelines 2019a, Osteomalacia and rickets, eTG June 2019 edition

Therapeutic Guidelines 2019b, Osteoporosis and minimal-trauma fracture, eTG June 2019 edition

Therapeutic Guidelines 2019c, Vitamin D deficiency, eTG June 2019 edition

Therapeutic Research Centre 2019, Vitamin D, Natural Medicines

WebMD n.d., Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) Oral : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing, WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6152/cholecalciferol-vitamin-d3-oral/details