April 2020

Pharmacists, as well as dishing out lotions and potions to help physical ails, frequently dispense advice on the importance of practising self-care and good mental health. But sometimes taking your own advice can be a hard pill to swallow.  

An “important reduction” in the overall availability of tobacco would be achieved if sales were restricted to liquor stores, petrol stations or pharmacies, new University of Otago research shows.  

The herbal products company Artemis has released research showing Central Otago thyme used in its products may be effective at fighting common respiratory illnesses. But pending regulation changes, Artemis cannot claim any of this in its product labelling. Jonathan Chilton-Towle investigates

Not much is known about the first female pharmacist in New Zealand, Elizabeth Robinson. But at a time when most women in pharmacy were unpaid and unrecognised helpers to their husbands, Elizabeth became a registered chemist and pharmacy owner. Jonathan Chilton-Towle tells her story

Perks of the job are often tax deductible. Moore Markhams Auckland director Jonathan Roberts runs through the tax laws for some common workplace extras – from mobile phones to office drinks and gym memberships 

A Central Otago pharmacist who made his own hand sanitiser in the face of the ongoing shortage sold out of it faster than he could make it last month. 

What’s new in pharmacy retail? Tina Hillier, programme coordinator at the ENGAGE Pharmacy Group, looks at new products and takes a second look at others, offering selling tips for staff along the way 

Every day, 63 New Zealanders will hear a sentence no one wants to hear: “You have cancer”. All up, there are more than 22,000 new cancer cases each year. While cancer treatment is traditionally handled by secondary care, there is a support role for primary care, especially pharmacy. Auckland pharmacy owner Hee Seung Lee, speaks to reporter Jonathan Chilton-Towle about what pharmacy staff can do to support patients receiving cancer treatment and their families and raise awareness of available early screening programmes 

Erectile disfunction is not just a source of embarrassment for many men, it can indicate an underlying health issue. Darshana Kanjee, pharmacist at Life Pharmacy Dunedin, discusses her approach to screening for men who should see a GP, and helping others with pharmacy solutions

Migraine is a complex condition that causes extremely incapacitating symptoms.