Page 8 - Retail Pharmacy Assistants September 2020

6 INDUSTRY UPDATES
THE PHARMACY GUILD OF AUSTRALIA’S PA NEWS IS BACK!
After a short interruption, the Pharmacy Guild’s PA News is now back! PA News is delivered as an online newsletter to your inbox monthly. Each issue features the latest industry news, relatable and useful pharmacy articles and trending topics. It’s another great way to stay informed in the pharmacy assistant world!
Honey has long been used as a home remedy for coughs and colds and now research is backing honey as beneficial for easing upper respiratory tract symptoms.
Published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, the researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials, involving 1761 participants of varying ages.
After conducting a pooled data analysis, they found that honey was more effective than usual care (typically antibiotics) for improving symptoms, especially the frequency and severity of coughing.
The researchers also found that two of the studies showed that respiratory symptoms lasted one to two days fewer among those treated with honey.
While usual care for respiratory infections often includes the prescription of antibiotics – which won’t work if the illness is caused by a virus and may contribute to the growing issue of superbugs and antibiotic resistance – honey might therefore be an alternative when doctors want to prescribe something to safely treat upper respiratory tract symptoms.
“Upper respiratory infections are the most frequent reason for antibiotic prescription. Since the majority of upper respiratory tract infections are viral, antibiotic prescription is both ineffective and inappropriate,” the authors argue.
“Honey is a frequently-used, lay remedy that is well known to patients. It is also cheap, easy to access, and as limited harms.
“When clinicians wish to prescribe for upper respiratory tract infections, we would recommend honey as an alternative to antibiotics.”
So, it’s time to pass me the honey, honey. Seems like the benefits of honey are more than just an old wives’ tale.
SCIENCE BACKS HONEY AS GOOD FOR COUGHS AND COLDS
NEW DATES FOR APP2021 ANNOUNCED
To allow more time for Covid-19 restrictions to be further lifted, next year’s Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference (APP) will move from March to 20-23
May 2021.
APP is the largest pharmacy industry conference and trade exhibition in Australia and provides pharmacy assistants with an opportunity to gain industry and product knowledge, meet with suppliers and network.
While those who wish to attend education sessions must pay a registration fee, access to the 400 plus stand trade exhibition is free. This is a great way to check out the latest industry products and services, expand your product knowledge, and pick up some great free samples!
Pharmacy assistants are also offered free tickets to the networking highlight of APP, the Welcome Reception, which is held in the trade exhibition and offers attendees live entertainment and a buffet dinner and drinks.
APP also offers pharmacy assistants discounted
tickets to pharmacy’s night of nights, the APP Street Party. Next year’s Street Party, which will be themed ‘Nautical but Nice’, will include entertainment by illusionist and escapologist Cosentino and Queen tribute band, Killer Queen.
You will also be able to meet the 2020 Pharmacy Assistant of the Year at the event and find out what it takes to be the ‘best of the best’.
APP2020 is taking place from 20-23 May 2021 at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre. For further information and to sign up to receive exclusive updates, visit: appconference.com.
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RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • SEP 2020