Antimicrobial Resistance; What's the big deal?

Imaging getting to the hospital for a severe bacterial infection and being told:

Sorry we don't have any effective treatment to give for this stain anymore!

That's where the world is heading;

We are dangerously close!

Listen up: in as little as 10 years we could have run out of options to treat all the super bugs currently being mishandled.

How exactly is antimicrobial misuse linked to resistant strains and treatment failure?

I'm glad you asked;  every time you take an antimicrobial medication incorrectly (dose, duration, frequency, type, or treatment option) you actually give that bug, or others around it a taste of what was supposed to kill it; but instead with this "taste", the bug incorporates the drug in its DNA and subsequently becomes enhanced, empowered and immune to it. 

This simplified explanation is to tell you to be very careful with your medication. When in doubt, ALWAYS ask your pharmacist to explain and confirm your treatment. 

Unfortunately, power struggles in the medical sphere sees a rise in patients demand towards their prescribers (every condition is a suspected infection that requires antibiotics), as well as many prescribers' carelessness in prescribing patterns. With many taking shortcuts when it comes to correctly identifying causative agents. These compounded tragedies are leading us to a point of no return. 

The 4rth industrial revolution is bringing along an unimaginable microbial disaster; if nothing is done. 

Prescribers: be careful. Resort to antimicrobials under extraordinary precaution and care. 

Dispensers: be careful. Counsel and warn your patients with utmost clarity, providing treatment assistance and reminders.  

Patients: be careful. Do not demand from experts what you think you know. They will provide the best treatment option if you remove your "paying-customer-is-king" pressures from their sworn responsibilities, lengthy degrees, and daily clinical experiences. 

Let's all work together in care and respect.  

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Pharmacy - Cornerstone of Health Care!

Whatever disease, illness or condition you may come across (go ahead and think of at least 3), part or the entire treatment protocol will require medicines. And who says medicine says: PHARMACY!

Who's in charge and running (around in) the pharmacy? Pharmacists of course! With the help of their assistants. 

But that's overly simplified you might think. Medicines being sold in a pharmacy don't quite illustrate the entire health care scenery does it? So why is pharmacy cornerstone?

Well they give you the final products. The end valuable result of the complex pharmacy machine! That's not all! You see,  health care in essence is the organized provision of medical care to individuals or communities. As each component of care giving requires either consumables, medicines or tools; pharmacists are the only licensed, sworn in, and responsible authorities for safely providing these to everyone else.  

To provide quality health care, rigorous investigations must be done. Diseases, their cause and progression, their treatment or management etc is studied with the aim of curing or at least controlling the condition. Pharmacists do that. Any agent which causes a desired physiological response can be deemed a drug, how it works and should be administered to treat and cure diseases is the pharmacists' prerogative! If you're still not convinced,  consider the following concluding points.

5 ways pharmacists are the cornerstones of health care: 

○They manufacture ALL available drugs; no pharmacist, no medication. 

○They understand both sides of diseases: etiologies vs therapies; no pharmacist, no prescription, disease & drug gate keeping. 

○They have basic and advanced knowledge regarding Primary, Emergency and Secondary/ Tertiary health care; no pharmacists, no adequate intermediate resources connecting all treatment levels. 

○They ensure quality treatments from obtaining raw materials, to maintaining quality through storage, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, prescribed indications and patient use. No pharmacist, no quality treatment. 

○they are the ultimate health care multitaskers: making the actual medications, ordering and controlling supply, supervising staff, consulting & counselling patients, intervening in patient therapies, mediating between prescribers and insurance providers, referring or initiating care, teaching and educating communities, while running profitable businesses among many others! No pharmacist, no cross-disciplinary, functional health care system!

You just can't beat them.

Pharmacists remain the undefeated,  unprecedented but ultimately undermined,  health care professionals!

Love and respect your pharmacist. Be patient while your community pharmacist helps you. They are there to optimize your treatment (outcomes) and improve your quality of life but if you rush them and they make a mistake it could really harm you.




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Pharmacy Blog 

10 Baby Pharmacy Hacks

So here are 10  helpful baby health tips for you when it comes to easing your baby routine!

Skip the queue: most facilities will agree to let a parent with a baby receive priority assistance especially if the child is in distress or crying. Kindly ask your pharmacist for prompt assistance.

Sooth Teething : with a clean finger, apply drops of the medicated solution dose to the gums and rub gently every 1-2hours. By dividing the dose into smaller intakes, pain threshold (local) coverage is better  experienced by baby. This is a great alternative to giving a full oral dose 4-6 times daily.
You get better symptomatic relief at the site and you can apply more frequently for soothing and control.

No spill: never use a spoon to give baby their medication. Rather use a syringe. It is better calibrated hence accurate and it also doesn't spill if they knock it with their hands or heads. Always dilute medicine in a bit of milk, or juice rather than the whole feed. This helps to mask the taste. If they don't finish the feed at least the full dose is taken.

Nappy rash: you will never have a nappy rash again if you apply an oil to baby's bum after each change. Unlike water based creams, oils don't completely absorb and therefore they form a good protective (anti-rash) layer on top of baby's skin.

Home made re-hydration: if baby has lost a lot of fluids, they easily become dehydrated especially if they've been vomiting or had diarrhea. This could quickly become dangerous and send you to the ER. However with one tbsp of sugar, half a tbsp of salt and a tall glass of pure/boiled/ filtered water, electrolytes can be replenished and resolve the situation. Administer in small intervals until diaper trends return to normal.

Baby change bag: when packing for baby, the usual diapers, wipes and bottles should be included but don't forget to add a change of clothes for the parent too! If baby throws up or squirts you during a change, your clothes may be embarrassingly messing afterward.

Baby medicine:  when giving an antibiotic or other liquid medicine to baby, to keep track of administered doses, draw a chart with all required doses on the side of the bottle with a permanent marker and tick as you go along. It can get quite confusing and losing track is easy.

Nail clipping: when baby has just falling asleep, wait 20 minutes and proceed to clipping their nails. This ensures no fussing and crying during this mandatory task.

Spit up or vomit stains: whether on the couch, catpet or your clothes, use a paste made with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water. Apply generous amount to stain and let dry over night. Vacuum or wash in the morning!



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3 things to prevent a cold or flu this winter!

Colder winter days are upon us and the common cold (milder) and flu (more severe/intense) season as well! You may know that both these similar conditions are caused by viruses ( rhinoviruses and influenza viruses) meaning they are self limiting. Once you get a cold or flu expect 7-10 days of symptoms including a sore throat, fever, runny nose and a dry cough (persistent).

Note: you do not need a doctor to treat an episode as most over the counter medication will suffice. However if an underlying or pre existing condition exist such that your symptoms are exacerbated, do not hesitate. Antibiotics are usually seldom required and unnecessary as they only treat bacterial infections and not viral ones. So to steer clear of these viral bugs here are 3 things you can do:

1. The obvious one is keep warm! "Catching cold" can actually trigger sickness if you have a sensitivity or predisposition. Hypothermia will cause illness. The mucus membrabe in your nose and mouth can dryup or crack therefore compromising the protective layer and inviting the common cold or flu virus in. Also asthma can become exacerbated or flare up leading to dry or productive coughs. Smokers can also further irritate their bronchi with prolonged cold weather exposures.

2. Intentional supplemental intakes. During the colder winter days be proactive to ward of getting sick. Maximise your water intake, this helps flush out parasites and viruses from your system before they cause harm. Eat more citrus fruits packed with vitamin c to boost your immune system.  You can also take a daily vitamin c & zinc supplement. You should also eat balanced meals that give you essential amino acids and minerals to build a stronger body... and don't forget to exercise!

3. Prevention is better than cure. You've surely heard that saying many times before and it couldn't be truer regarding colds and flu. Avoid crowd, and busy enclosures. Since the weather is cold, people tend to stay indoor more and thus recycle each other's air, airborne germs and viruses. If someone coughs or sneezes openly, those particles travel to everyone else. Same with shaking hands with someone who just sneezed, coughed or held a used tissue. Wash hands more regularly throughout the day to prevent direct contamination. Lastly, check with your pharmacist if you qualify and get a flu injection.

Also note that through the hundreds of various "colds & flu" preparations that promise to cure you, many have similar active ingredients which can cause serious harm when taken concurrently. Especially with anti pain/inflammation substances like paracetamol / codeine / ibuprofen.

Always check with your pharmacist the total daily allowed dose for any particular active ingredients to avoid overdose, contraindications and side effects.

Happy Winter!

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