ITK February/March 2015 - Issue 40 by Gold Cross Products & Services

ISSUE #40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

P r a c t i c a l I n f o r m at i o n f o r T o d a y ’ s C o m m u n i t y P h a r m a c i s t

IN THE KNOW

• A milestone in community pharmacy • Business profile • Numbers are just the start

• CPD - Taking the pain out of osteoarthritis • Down to business • Training and Education

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CONTENTS After Hours 48 ICC Cricket World Cup

APP 2015 24 APP 2015 Snapshot

Business Profile 4 Lease1

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Category Review 32 Osteoarthritis in Community Pharmacy

Down to Business 28 A hard dish to swallow

BY SEAN TUNNY Editor, Gold Cross Products & Services Pty Ltd

30 Numbers are just the start! 34 Health Destination Hub

44 How MedAdvisor Can Help You

GuildCare Programs On behalf of the entire team at Gold Cross, Happy New Year and we wish you every success as we rapidly progress through 2015. As this edition of ITK is being delivered to Pharmacy throughout Australia, it is only a few short weeks to APP 2015. We are pleased to present our APP feature this edition and look forward to welcoming everyone to the Gold Coast from March 12th for what is Australia’s largest Pharmacy event on the annual calendar. This edition of ITK has a CPD accreditation feature on Oesteoarthritis along with our regular features including a summer feel to our after-hours feature. The support of our partners throughout 2014 was outstanding and we extend a sincere thank you to everyone involved in ITK, it is greatly appreciated. It is also pleasing to receive so many positive comments regarding the editorial and features in each edition from pharmacy, thank you for your support. As ITK is also mailed electronically, should you wish to be placed on this list, please contact Jessica directly via e-mail jessica.oconnor@goldx.com.au and we would be pleased to register you. Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you all at APP 2015. Best Regards, Sean Tunny Editor

38 Obesity Crisis

Guild News 3

A Milestone in Community Pharmacy

Professional Review

4 Balancing the Scales

Regulars 40 What’s New and Company News 41 Product Spotlight 46 60 Seconds with 47 Business Directory

49 Classifieds 52 Health Calendar

Special Feature 6 Taking the Pain Out of Osteoarthritis

Training and Education 42 Managing Lactose Intolerance 43 Nutra-Life BioActive Curcumin

PLEASE USE THIS PUBLICATION TO KEEP YOUR PHARMACY IN THE KNOW. EDITOR: Sean Tunny 0457 029 052 sean.tunny@goldx.com.au DESIGN: Megan Hibberd 0408 452 133 www.artbymegan.com.au PRINT & DISTRIBUTION: APN Print 1300 134 628 www.apnprint.com.au

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: PUBLISHED BY: Gold Cross Products & Services. PO Box 505 Spring Hill Qld 4004. Contact Jessica O’Connor – Email: jessica.oconnor@goldx.com.au. In The Know is produced for the information of Australian Pharmacists. The presence of the logo of the Pharmacy Guild does not constitute endorsement of a product. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia accepts no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Opinions and views expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect those of Gold Cross.

NEWS FROM THE GUILD PRESIDENT

A milestone in Community Pharmacy George Tambassis National President of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia

We are approaching a very significant milestone in the history of community pharmacy at the end of June this year – the expiry of the current Community Pharmacy Agreement, and the beginning of a new one.

Work has been going on since last year to design and negotiate a Sixth Agreement which best serves the pharmacy network and the interests of taxpayers – a fine balance which we are striving to achieve. The five-year Community Pharmacy Agreements, which have been around since 1990, are vital to the future of the businesses we all work in. Without a proper basis for remuneration of the core role of dispensing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines, community pharmacies would not be able to survive in their present form. An inadequate agreement would cost jobs and deprive patients of essential pharmacy and related services. That’s why we, at the Guild, will always work so hard to argue the case for a sustainable agreement. In negotiating with the Federal Government, our focus is on:

•• dispensing remuneration •• professional pharmacy services – maintaining and building on the professional services which were funded through the Fifth Agreement •• broadening opportunities for pharmacies, pharmacists and staff – strengthening our role in the health system

“The five-year Community Pharmacy Agreements, which have been around since 1990, are vital to the future of the businesses we all work in.”

•• maintaining the Community Service Obligation, which ensures the timely and efficient delivery of medicines everywhere in Australia •• maintaining the Location Rules, which ensure that pharmacies exist and can survive where there is a genuine community need for a pharmacy to be established. Our approach to the agreement is also informed by extensive consultations with Pharmacy Guild members, and others involved in the industry, since the beginning of last year. There has been considerable thoughtprovoking feedback from the coalface of community pharmacy and we are very grateful for the contribution of all. The Guild has been very mindful of the challenging business environment facing

pharmacies and the need to provide value, and practical support to our community pharmacy members. And this work will be reinforced in 2015. The arrival of Simplified Price Disclosure has put significant downward pressure on PBS prices and pharmacy revenue – a big hit to the bottom line and viability of all community pharmacies. To meet this challenge – and others in our increasingly competitive business environment – community pharmacies need to innovate and respond in a smart and nimble way. One of the important roles of the Guild as a representative body is to do all we can to assist pharmacies and their staff to understand the challenges, and meet them successfully.

GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

Professional Review

Balancing the scales in Pharmacy tenancies BY Phillip A. Chapman Phillip A. Chapman is the Founder of Lease1 and Director of MiLease Strategic Lease Management, both of which are endorsed Gold Cross Member Services.

2015 may prove to be a defining year for the Retail Pharmacy channel in more ways than one. The eagerly anticipated 6th Community Pharmacy Agreement is due later this year, and will lay the platform for the next five years.

Further, the retail property sector has shaken off the GFC recovery mode of the past few years and appears to have hit overdrive. The Inside Retailing – 2015 Retail Development Guide listed close to 100 shopping centre redevelopments, and of the approximate two-thirds that estimated their costs, this equated to $13.9 billion in redevelopments. In addition, there is the continuing pipeline of Wesfarmers (Coles) and Woolworths Shopping Centre developments. This will introduce hundreds of thousands square metres of new retail space that will present many retailers with exciting new opportunities. However, this will also create dramatic shifts in existing markets, retail

centres, and precincts of all sizes for existing retailers, including Pharmacies. Due to the limited number of Pharmacy sites allowed per facility, a renewed focus on increasing the net lettable area (NLA) of existing Pharmacies will be a key objective. This is in sharp contrast to industry best practices over the past 4–5 years to rationalise and even reduce NLA to claw back efficiencies in occupancy costs. When considering existing Pharmacies in stable retail centre environments, there will be increased pressure to meet the overinflated investment returns expected by Landlords, particularly for those whose leases expire or have an option within the next 18 months.

“Due to the limited number of Pharmacy sites allowed per facility, a renewed focus on increasing the net lettable area (NLA) of existing Pharmacies will be a key objective.”

How do Lessees continue the push for efficiencies in their leased premises? If I can quote Bill Rooney, 6 one 5 Retail Consultancy, from his article ‘Retail Talent Gap’, “Retailers in Australia can also be secretive, don’t share information and therefore don’t benchmark themselves against best practices.” This article is correct on two fronts: Australian Retailers are secretive when it comes to sharing information amongst their industry peers, but readily share too much information with their Landlords. This is directly reflected by the current retail rent levels. Secondly, the ‘Retail Talent Gap’ extending to Retailer Leasing personnel, suggests there is an enormous void of suitably skilled and industry experienced leasing executives representing Retailers. With Pharmacy as the single largest, by number, retail channel in the country this void is even more pronounced. The Retailer industry desperately needs to seek out the best and develop strong Leasing Executives prepared to meet the challenges of Lessees. When we compare the resources available to Landlords it is impossible to imagine how Lessees will avail themselves of the skills and resources needed to level the playing field. This results in most leasing decisions being based on the level of competency and

GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

Professional Review

emotion and not on industry best practices supported by timely and relevant research. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that when a major lease event occurs you are in a better position to deal with it. Through continual benchmarking of your real estate performance against industry KPIs, and strategically managing the critical path to lease events, you can improve your leverage to negotiate a better outcome. The PGA ( Pharmacy Guild Of Australia) sets the bar when it comes to industry best practice in providing members with the tools they need to improve their business efficiencies. The recent suite of support tools – ‘Pharmacy Business Resilience’, specifically the section on retail shop leases along with the Pharmacy Rental Reports, Sales Reporting Guidelines and Guild Digest, are a clear testament to this. Even with these specific business tools, due to the limited resources of time and access to relevant research, often the ideal solution to achieve the desired outcomes is to outsource. When looking to outsource the leasing function, there are two very distinct functions that need to be identified if you are to effectively influence outcomes.

Firstly, there is the lease (portfolio) management, which delivers throughout the term of the lease. Benchmarking against industry KPIs addresses the ‘in-term’ leasing events (annual reviews, audits, insurance etc.) and manages to strategically address major lease events such as options and expiries. Secondly is the physical attendance at major lease events, gathering relevant research, developing a leasing strategy through an acute understanding of the parties involved and engaging in robust negotiations on your behalf. The vast majority of Retailers to date have dealt with each of these functions by default or ignorance to the complex processes which make up best practices, clearly reflected in the current market. Some will choose to outsource the major lease event-negotiating role but neglect to address the ongoing strategic lease management role. But for those who adopt a more informed and leveraged position, outsourcing both the functions of the lease management and lease negotiations with the right retail leasing partners, will not only achieve best practice standards, but will realise the added business value in prolonged security of tenure, evidence sound corporate governance in the case

of brand or franchise management, and will also afford their business the best possible leverage in achieving more favourable real estate outcomes.

What to look for in a Leasing Partner: •• Balanced and relevant industry experience

•• Disciplined strategy and development processes

•• Strong communication – across both sides of the retail property sector

•• Constant industry benchmarking •• Specific Retail channel (Pharmacy) insights through research and analysis

•• Acute understanding of the retail equation

•• Scalable resources to meet the demands of your portfolio (even if it is one lease – the level of service is the same)

•• Balanced outlook across results and business/asset value

•• Proven track record in delivering for Retailers/Lessees

Interested in having Tony Ferguson in your Pharmacy? Contact Julie- Ann today on 0410 417 135 or julie-ann.wharley@tonyferguson.com

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Learning Objectives After reading this article, the learner should be able to:

•• Recognize the key clinical features of osteoarthritis

•• Describe the major risk factors for development of osteoarthritis

•• Recognize the evidence for nonpharmacological management strategies of osteoarthritis •• Identify appropriate complementary medicines with supporting evidence in the treatment of osteoarthritis. •• Describe the place in therapy of traditional pharmacotherapy agents in the treatment of osteoarthritis

Competency standards addressed (as defined by the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia): 4.2, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.1

Accreditation number: G2014045 This activity has been accredited for 0.5 hours of Group 1 CPD (or 0.5 CPD credits) suitable for inclusion in an individual pharmacist’s CPD plan which can be converted to 0.5 hours of Group 2 CPD (or 1.0 CPD credits) upon successful completion of relevant assessment activities.

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CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Taking the pain out of osteoarthritis: Strategies for Pharmacists Tim Roberts Professional Development Manager, Pharmacy Guild of Australia (QLD) B.Pharm (Hons), AACPA, DipBusMgt

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent, disabling and costly condition which affects 1.9 million Australians1. OA is one of the leading causes of chronic pain, disability and lost productivity in Australia – costing the health system $3.75 billion and the economy approximately $22 billion annually1.

Prevalence increases with age, around 30% of patients diagnosed are aged 65 or over2; although often referred to as general ‘wear and tear’, OA is a disease and not an inevitable part of the ageing process. Management of OA typically begins with the GP, however as there are multi-modal strategies to management (both pharmacological and non-pharmacological) community pharmacists are ideally placed to assist patients in taking the pain out of osteoarthritis!

The two main factors contributing to the development of OA are joint vulnerability and joint loading; vulnerable joints may be prone to developing OA with minimal levels of loading, whilst healthy joints might be affected following an injury or long-term overloading4. The key risk factors for OA can be grouped into 3 subcategories; systemic factors, joint environment and loading factors (see table 1).

Clinical Features

Table 1. Major risk factors for developing Osteoarthritis

OA is a degenerative disease that affects the whole joint, including; bone, cartilage, ligaments and muscles. Weight bearing joints of the peripheral and axial skeleton are most affected by OA, occurring with idiopathic onset of symptoms (primary OA) or as a consequence of injury to joints (secondary OA)3. The presentation between patients can vary significantly, with symptoms being incapacitating for some and inconsequential for others. The common presenting symptoms of OA include1,3;

•• Pain (most commonly in hands, hips and knees)

•• Joint stiffness •• Joint deformity •• Loss of joint mobility and function

Risk Factors

Systemic Factors

Joint Environment

Loading Factors

•• Increased age •• Female gender •• Genetic

•• Previous damage •• Weak bridging

•• Obesity •• Occupational

susceptibility •• Nutritional factors

muscles

•• Increased bone density

•• Misaligned joints

hazards (physical activity) •• Sporting activities

Pharmacists are well placed to encourage the principles behind joint protection to patients, and help reduce the risk of OA through promoting the following1,3,4;

•• Resting of inflamed joints (reducing load and time in use) •• Use the largest muscles and joints for the job (i.e – stand up using hips and knees, rather than pushing up with hands)

OA develops progressively over many years, with a gradual increase to the impairment of function. Identifying OA in its early stages could reduce the overall impact of the condition through the initiation of timely interventions to prevent or slow the progression of the disease before irreversible joint damage occurs1. The diagnosis of OA is primarily clinical, based on history and physical examination with persistent pain being the most common driver for GP visits1,3.

•• Encourage proper techniques for movement while lifting, sitting, bending and reaching

•• Maintain good posture, align joints correctly and avoid staying in one position for long periods of time

•• Balance activity with rest •• Make exercise a part of everyday life, including exercises which improve range of movement in joints, muscle strength and balance.

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CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Management Strategies Whilst there is no known ‘cure’ for OA, a good management plan should aim to reduce pain, stiffness, and improve joint function. Strategies that form part of a comprehensive OA management plan include nonpharmacological approaches, complementary medicines and traditional pharmacotherapy with the aim of minimizing adverse effects whilst increasing quality of life1,2.

Non pharmacological strategies Exercise and physical therapy: Muscle weakness in an osteoarthritic joint increases the likelihood of further damage, making exercise and physical therapy core components of an OA management plan. Whilst there is limited evidence for the benefits of one type of exercise over another, low impact exercises (eg. water aerobics and water resistance training) may be better tolerated by patients than exercises involving impact loading (eg. running)4,5. Weight Reduction: Obesity can result in excessive mechanical loading of the joints, there is good evidence in supporting weight reduction for patients with OA of the knee4,5. Thermotherapy: Evidence is limited for the benefit of hot/cold therapy to treat the

symptoms of OA, particularly for the use of heat. Using ice packs (for 20 minutes, wrapped in a towel to avoid direct skin contact) may be beneficial in acute flares of OA to reduce swelling and inflammation to the joint5. TENS Therapy: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is commonly used to treat the symptoms of OA. TENS is a non-invasive method that stimulates the cutaneous nerve fibres through a device worn and operated by the patient, it is theorised that pain relief occurs through inhibition of the transmitted painful stimuli to the spinal cord and brain pain receptors6. There is some evidence to support that at least 4 weeks of TENS therapy is able to provide some relief of pain in patients with OA of the knee5.

Complementary Medicines There are a number of established complementary therapies with varying grades of evidence (or lack thereof) in the support of symptoms for patients with OA. Glucosamine is a commonly marketed product for OA, as it is an important component in cartilage. The RACGP guidelines for non-surgical management of hip and knee osteoarthritis recommend that while the role of glucosamine products (including type and dose) remains uncertain, however given

“Management of OA typically begins with the GP, however as there are multi-modal strategies to management (both pharmacological and non-pharmacological) community pharmacists are ideally placed to assist patients in taking the pain out of osteoarthritis!”

its low toxicity profile it may be reasonable to recommend to patients to trial5,7. 1500mg daily is the usual recommended dose of glucosamine, with a 2-3 month trial to determine whether it is effective in an individual patient8. Commercially available products are also available in combination with chondroitin, an amino-sugar polymer that has not been associated with strong evidence in OA when taken alone5. Whilst the evidence from trials of glucosamine and chondroitin (both alone and in combination) in OA have been mixed, some recent studies have shown have shown that the combination products may be more effective than either ingredient taken alone8. The results from the LEGS study published in 2014 showed that the combination of glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate showed a protective effect in OA of the knee, reducing the amount of joint-space narrowing over a 2 year period compared with placebo8. Some complementary medicines and alternative therapies that have not been recommended by the RACGP guidelines (due to weak or no evidence of efficacy) include5;

•• •• •• •• •• ••

Chondroitin alone Devils claw (harpagophytum procumbens) Salix (willow bark) Vitamin E Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU) Electromagnetic fields (magnet therapy)

Traditional Pharmacotherapy Pharmacotherapy management strategies in OA aim to reduce pain and inflammation to improve function, strategies are most effective when taken in conjunction with nonpharmacological interventions (above) and in patients maintaining good joint protection. Paracetamol: There is excellent evidence to support the use of paracetamol (to a maximum of 4g/day) in patients with hip or knee OA. Paracetamol is effective for relieving mildmoderate pain associated with hip and knee OA, although it is not as effective as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) it does have markedly lower risk of side effects at therapeutic doses5. Oral NSAIDs: There is good evidence to support the use of oral NSAIDs in the short-term treatment of hip and knee OA, however their use should be balanced against the potential for adverse effects and an adequate trial of paracetamol (4g daily for 4-6 weeks) is recommended before commencement5. Patients at particular risk of potential harm from traditional NSAIDs and COX-2 NSAIDs are elderly patients and those taking concomitant medications for known adverse effects

GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

(i.e. proton pump inhibitors) or medications which may interact with NSAIDs (eg. ACE Inhibitors, lithium, warfarin)5. All NSAIDs (irrespective of selectivity) are associated with risks for gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular adverse effects and monitoring of blood pressure and renal function should occur in the elderly or others at risk5. Opioid analgesics: There is good evidence to support the use of both weak and strong opioid analgesics in patients with moderatesevere OA of the hip or knee, particularly for those who have not responded to or could not tolerate other analgesics and NSAIDs (and where surgical options are delayed or contraindicated)5. It is recommended that patients are re-assessed after 4-6 weeks use of opioid medications, if treatment goals have not been reached consideration should be given for dose tapering and cessation5,9. Patients should be made aware of common adverse effects including dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, somnolence, dizziness, constipation and the potential for addiction and withdrawal5,9. Intra-articular corticosteroids: The use of intra-articular (IA) corticosteroids are supported in the short term treatment of knee and hip OA, particularly when a patient has a swollen and acutely painful joint5. Due to the possibility of cartilage damage from repeated IA injections, treatment is limited to 3 times per year for large weight-bearing joints and 4 times per year for smaller joints5. Topical NSAIDs: There is some evidence to support the use of topical NSAIDs in knee and hip OA, which has an analgesic effect through suppressing local prostaglandin synthesis5. Other topical agents however (such as topical capsaicin) have only weak evidence in supporting their use in OA5.

ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS The assessment questions below can be found at the Guild Pharmacy Academy myCPD e-learning platform. Login or register at: www.mycpd.org.au

question 1

question 4

Which of the following is not a common presenting symptom of osteoarthritis?

c. Foot (heel) pain

A regular patient of your pharmacy who has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee enquires regarding a vitamin or herbal supplement that may be of benefit for her condition, which of the following recommendations is most appropriate?

d. Knee pain

a. Chondroitin sulphate 600mg twice a day

question 2

b. Devils claw root liquid (harpagophytum procumbens)

a. Hip pain b. Joint stiffness

Which of the following best describes a ‘loading risk factor’ for development of osteoarthritis?

c. Glucosamine 1500mg once daily

a. Female gender

question 5

b. Overweight patient c. Previous knee injury d. Misalignment of hip joints

d. Vitamin E 1000IU once daily

Which of the following medications would be most appropriate as an initial therapy for a patient with mild osteoarthritis of the knee?

question 3

a. Paracetamol 1330mg three times daily

Which of the following management strategies has limited evidence of benefit in osteoarthritis?

b. Celecoxib 200mg daily

a. TENS therapy

c. Tramadol 50mg four times daily d. Capsaicin cream applied three times daily

b. Heat therapy c. Weight reduction d. Water aerobics

Time to get up and get moving! As national arthritis awareness week approaches (15th to 21st March 2015), help support your patients with OA in optimizing their management strategies and help take the pain out of osteoarthritis! Pharmacists can get involved by;

•• Undertaking a health promotion in-store to raise awareness about the risk factors for OA •• Identify patients presenting with early signs and symptoms for referral to their GP •• Encouraging OA patients to better selfmanage their conditions through nonpharmacological strategies such as weight reduction and appropriate low-impact exercises •• Assess the medication regimes of patients with OA, with particular consideration for the overall medication risks (eg. NSAID risks).

References 1 Arthritis Australia. Time to move: Osteoarthritis. Canberra: 2014 2 Jordan K, Arden N, Doherty M et al. EULAR Recommendations 2003: an evidence based approach to the management of knee osteoarthritis: Report of a Task Force of the Standing Committee for International Clinical Studies Including Therapeutic Trials (ESCISIT). Ann Rheum Dis. 2003 Dec;62(12):1145-55 3 National collaborating centre for chronic conditions. Osteoarthritis: national clinical guideline for care and management in adults. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2008 4 Fauci A, Kasper D, Braunweld E, et al. Harrisons Principals of internal medicine, 17th edition. US. The Mcgraw-Hill Companies, 2008 5 Guideline for the non-surgical management of hip and knee osteoarthritis. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Jul 2009 [www.racgp.org.au/guidelines/osteoarthritis] 6 Osiri M, Welch V, Brosseau L, et al. Comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for knee osteoarthritis. Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2000: issue 4. Art. No: CD002823 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002823 7 McColl G. Glucosamine for osteoarthritis of the knee. Australian Prescriber 2004;27:61-63 8 Fransen M, Agaliotis M, Nairn L, et al. Glucosamine and chondroitin for knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating single and combination regimens. Ann Rheum Dis 2014; Jan 6 doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203954. 9 Clinical audit: Analgesics in persistent pain. Sydney: National Prescribing Service, 2006. [http://www.nps. org.au/publications/health-professional/medicinewise-news/2006/analgesic-choices-in-persistent-pain] GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

EVENT OVERVIEW LOCATION - BROADBEACH, GOLD COAST An uninterrupted stretch of golden sand and worldclass surf forms the backdrop to Broadbeach, one of Queensland’s favourite holiday and business destinations. With a unique village-like atmosphere, vibrant lifestyle and a relaxed ambience, Broadbeach is the perfect fusion of city and beach set against a spectacular skyline and outstanding stretch of coast.

VENUE - GOLD COAST CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE APP2015 will be held at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) - the largest regional convention centre in Australia. Located in Broadbeach, the GCCEC is close to five-star accommodation, a range of restaurants and bars, fantastic shopping and a number of the Gold Coast's world-class beaches. The GCCEC is also directly linked by a covered walkway to the neighbouring Jupiters Gold Coast.

The Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference and Trade Exhibition (APP) is the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Annual National Conference and the largest pharmacy conference and trade show in Australia. APP oﬀers attendees a comprehensive four-day educational program, an exciting social agenda and a trade exhibition featuring over 375 stands showcasing the latest products, services and industry developments.

SPEAKER SHOWCASE APP2015 will feature an exciting lineup of over 70 international and Australian speakers covering a mix of topics from cutting edge industry issues and clinical updates to ﬁnance and business management.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE Before arranging your travel to APP2015, ensure that you view the program schedule on the Program page of the conference website at www.appconference.com.

SOCIAL PROGRAM WELCOME RECEPTION

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER

The networking focal point of APP, the Welcome Reception provides the perfect opportunity to catch up with colleagues, meet with suppliers and build new business relationships in a relaxed environment. Entertainment and a buffet dinner and drinks will be provided.

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER

When: 5.30pm - 9.00pm, Friday 13 March 2015 Cost: Inclusive with Full Registration Additional tickets: $80 per person

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER

Proudly sponsored by:

APP STREET PARTY - RIO CARNIVALE (FORMERLY GALA DINNER) Be transported to the streets of Rio de Janeiro at APP’s Street Party, which will celebrate the sights and sounds of Brazil’s world famous festival, Carnivale. Featuring a myriad of entertainment, the APP Street Party will offer something for everyone - from fire dancers and live Latino music to salsa competitions and headlining DJs the Stafford Brothers (who have been ranked Australia’s #1 DJs for three years and are now based in the USA). Delegates will also experience Brazilian inspired cuisine from interactive food stalls. A chill out lounge featuring live music will be available for those wanting time out from the main festivities. When: 7.00pm - midnight, Saturday 14 March 2015 Cost: Inclusive with Full Registration Including APP Street Party Additional tickets: $165 per person Proudly sponsored by:

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER

Hon Peter Dutton MP Minister for Health

Jane Caro Social Commentator

Senator the Hon Fiona Nash Assistant Minister for Health

Anders Sorman-Nilsson Futurist & Innovation Strategist

Paulo Cleto Duarte President, Associação Nacional das Farmácias (Portugal)

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki Scientist

Doug Hoey Chief Executive Oﬃcer of the National Community Pharmacists Association (USA)

John van Wisse Swimming Coach, Marathon Swimmer, Ultra Triathlete

Ken Orr President, Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand

Adam Ferrier Leading Consumer Psychologist

Dr Edward M. Sellers Pharmacist & Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto (Canada) (Expert in opioid tampering & abuse deterrence)

Chris Cochran General Manager, IMS Health Australia & New Zealand

Glenn Savage Founder, Pharmacoach (UK)

Con Tangalakis CEO, Sinapse

George Tambassis National President, The Pharmacy Guild of Australia

Geoﬀ Fitzgerald Pharmacist & Psychotherapist

For a full list of speakers visit: www.appconference.com

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Why Join PCCA? To be successful in today’s hyper-competitive, over-advertised pharmacy marketplace, you absolutely must focus your business and marketing on serving a specialised and preferably small niche market. This is especially true and a matter of survival today because of the PBS reforms and reliance on government funding. Deciding to focus on serving a small niche market, such as compounding you greatly increase your odds for business success with much less risk. A pharmacy niche market is a group of patients that all have a very specific need or want and usually arises when the mass-market medicine does not produce the item required for them. Compounds are customised to the individuals’ particular needs. Compounding provides an opportunity to add extra value to the service you offer patients and prescribing doctors and represents the pharmaceutical industry’s true niche market. With PCCA, you are completely supported in this new and exciting market:

CO N S U LTA N T S

Q UA L I T Y

E D U C AT I O N

S E C UR IT Y

NETWORKING

That means, lower stress, less headaches, more revenue and profits and a way to differentiate your pharmacy from the competition.

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We are excited to be showcasing Eagle, Thompson’s and Thursday Plantation at our first APP appearance.

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www.integria.com

VISIT THE ACTAVIS STAND 45 - 50 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO

WIN $1,000 TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE OF YOUR CHOICE

Partner of choice

A strategic move Making the right moves to maximize your profitability requires skilful decisions. Since 2008, more than $10BN in PBS price cuts have occurred, with an additional $8BN in cuts forecast through to 2017. As well competitive and sustainable pricing on generics, Actavis can reduce your exposure to PBS reforms by offering a broad portfolio of products, many of which are unaffected by SPD cuts. Our Branded, Specialty, Dosage Administration Aid and OTC categories give you the opportunity to increase your profit and stay ahead of the game. For your next strategic move, partner with Actavis.

www.actavis.com.au 0295

EXHIBITING AT

COME TO OUR STAND AT APP AND LEARN HOW TO: • Increase sales and profits. • Gain happy customers who will return due to positive health outcomes. • Stock a range not available in supermarkets. • Take advantage of the training options for your team, at a time that suits your business. • Receive the best support from us, your natural business partner.

Our multi-million dollar TV advertising draws customers to your store where they receive informed advice, and not to a nearby supermarket.

BEST PRODUCTS BEST EDUCATION Industry Pulse independent research shows Ethical Nutrients, yet again, BEST SERVICE as the leading supplier to Pharmacy providing unparalleled service excellence and product training for the 5th consecutive year!

ethicalnutrients.com.au

ETH6993 - 12/14

YOUR NATURAL BUSINESS PARTNER

Accountants who understand pharmacy P P P P P P

Accounting and tax PBS reform SME cloud solutions Buying a pharmacy Going into partnerships Valuation specialist

We have the experience and knowledge to help you. Contact us at pharmacy@rsmi.com.au www.rsmi.com.au/pharmacy

D N A D A AN I P I T! F ITB

ASK YOUR PHARMACIST FULL RANGE order n a e c la , p To enter P Exhibition, P at the A like Paper-Pak and 3 1 # d Stan ook. on faceb or just

ing... urchas ore? P . . . e l Samp know m nd #13 like to xpo sta E P P A 15 at the 3-15 20 See us 1 h c r a on M

Terms & Conditions: One entry per Pharmacy permitted. Prize includes IPad and FitBit. Place and order and like our facebook page. Promotion period is from 13th March 2015 until 23.59AEST 29th March 2015. Winner to be contacted 31st March 2015 by Paper-Pak Head Office. The winning announcement is final and any correspondence regarding the result will not be entered in to. For full terms and conditions and to submit your entry, see us at the APP Expo, stand #13.

APP 2015 SNAPSHOT

Actavis – We have the Global Resource to help Australians Actavis is a unique pharmaceutical company focused on delivering innovative, branded specialty products and generic medicines for Australian Pharmacies, hospitals and consumers. Our acquisition of Allergan will create a top 10 pharmaceutical company worldwide, with a winning team of more than 30,000 employees globally. Our broad commercial reach extends across 100 international markets, giving us access to a broad portfolio and pipeline including Actonel®, which will fuel our growth in Australia in 2015. Come and have a chat to us on stands 45 – 50 so we can show you how to improve your pharmacy’s profit and stay ahead of the game.

BioRevive Pty Ltd BioRevive is a Melbourne-based importer and distributor of health and wellbeing products. We search the world for products that will surprise and delight our customers and distribute them via pharmacies across Australia. Many BioRevive products are available in pharmacies in every state and territory. Some of our TV advertised brands include Prospan, Nagestic Osteo, Milky Foot, Spotner and CleanEars. If you’re attending APP2015 this year, please drop by and visit BioRevive at booths 260 & 287.

www.biorevive.com FIND US AT STAND: 260 & 287

Integria Healthcare www.actavis.com.au FIND US AT STAND: 45 – 50

Bindweld Bindweld is a privately owned company that has been in operation since 1976. Bindweld’s head office and manufacturing plant is located in Thomastown, Melbourne. With sales offices in both Sydney and Brisbane. Bindweld are an extruder of flat sheet polypropylene, but also design, create, print, cut and finish with all forms of board such as B-flute, Acrylic, MDF, foam pvc among others. As a customised manufacturer we offer:

•• Custom design •• Concept sketches and/or fully •• •• •• •• •• ••

functional and printed samples Hangsells Dump Bins & Floor stands Countertop stands Shelf talkers & wobblers Large signage & side flags Presentation Kits

As a manufacturer for over 30 years, you can be assured that the local jobs Bindweld create and facilitate are produced by their own machinery. Bindweld feel strongly that what they create should be controlled and manufactured in-house.

Integria Healthcare is built on a 60-year history of pioneering complementary medicine research, continually creating products that are now part of everyday life for millions of people around the world. Our innovation, research and scientific developments in complementary medicine are integral to the pedigree of our three brands we will be showcasing at APP 2015: Eagle, Thompson’s and Thursday Plantation. Eagle is Australia’s first practitioneronly brand, established in 1966, and adheres to naturopathic principles by creating a range of advanced and effective naturopathic products. Thompson’s takes a natural approach to health supplements, bringing to life the natural health benefits of plant extracts, minerals and herbs. Thursday Plantation captures the restorative power of nature’s oils to treat every family, every day, naturally. Discover Integria Healthcare at APP 2015 and allow Eagle, Thompson’s and Thursday Plantation to inspire your customers to live better lives through natural healthcare.

www.integria.com FIND US AT STAND: 136 & 137

www.bindweld.com FIND US AT STAND: 188

GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

Paper-Pak – Paper is our World Paper-Pak is a 100% Australian owned manufacturer and wholesaler of paper carry bags and packaging for the retail industry. As custom print experts we have been bringing brands to life in Australia and New Zealand for over 25 years. Paper-Pak has proudly partnered with the Pharmacy Guild for over 17 years to produce a range of paper and foil packaging for scripts, gifts, vaccines and now a paper carry bag. Paper-Pak products are strong, durable, reusable, compostable, and recyclable. You can trust the quality and construction of our products which also include a range of carry bags, gift wrap, tissue paper, labels and flat bags. Visit us at APP 2105, stand 13 to view the full range of Ask Your Pharmacist packaging and other products Paper-Pak has on offer or visit www.paper-pak.net.

www.paper-pak.net FIND US AT STAND: 13

PCCA Compounding pharmacists make a difference for patients. And as the industry’s most comprehensive resource, PCCA makes a difference for compounding pharmacists. At PCCA, membership means partnership. Your success is important to us, which is why we work so hard to give our member compounding pharmacists everything they need to shine. Here’s how it works. Members pay a one-time investment fee, plus annual renewals. The investment fee covers the Comprehensive Compounding Course (C3) enrollment cost for two people, purchase plan development and access to PCCA’s proprietary formulas, the industry’s highest-quality chemicals, innovative products and unparalleled support.

www.pccarx.com.au FIND US AT STAND: 148 & 149

TRADE EXHIBITION OPENING TIMES

APP is Australia’s largest pharmacy trade exhibition, featuring over 375 stands showcasing industry products and services. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet with all of your suppliers under the one roof. LOUNGE AREA & INTERNET CAFÉ

Friday 13 March

5.30pm - 9.00pm

(Welcome Reception)

The APP2015 Trade Exhibition will feature a designated lounge area where delegates and trade only attendees can network with colleagues and meet with suppliers in comfortable surroundings over a free cup of coffee.

Saturday 14 March

9.00am - 5.00pm

The lounge area will include the Telstra Internet Café where delegates can check emails during the exhibition opening times, and the CPD Points Entry Terminals where delegates can claim CPD points and undertake Group 2 points assessment using the Guild’s myCPD website.

Sunday 15 March

9.00am - 3.00pm

Proudly sponsored by:

EXHIBITOR LISTING EXHIBITOR

STAND

a2PLATINUM Abbott Australia Actavis Actegy Health ADNOHR Marketing Pty Ltd

349 & 351 214 - 216 45 - 50 17 & 18 253

Advantage Pharmacy Aero Healthcare AFT Pharmaceuticals

2 191 115 & 116

Airessential Home Health Care

230

Alphapharm

77, 78, 85 & 86

Alzheimer's Australia Ambra Corporation Pty Ltd AMCLA American Express

166 & 167 286 240 171 & 174

Amneal Pharmaceuticals

71, 72, 75 & 76

Annabel Trends Ansell APE Distribution API

331 & 333 273 129 & 131 53, 54, 57 & 58 102 - 107 124 & 125

Apotex Aptimal Karicare AsiaPop & Packaging + Brandlink Logistics Aspen Australia Aurobindo Aussie Soles Australian College of Pharmacy

334 69, 70, 73 & 74 6&7 365 168

Bayer

193, 194, 197 & 198

Betaglucare Bindweld Bio Living Beauty & Baby Bioceuticals BioRevive Blackmores

276 188 272 223 260 & 287 225, 226, 228 & 229 133 & 138 275

Boehringer Ingelheim Brand Solutions Australia

BrandSource Brands Australia Calmoseptine Australia Care Pharmaceuticals CDC Systems Chemist Outlet Chemist POS Direct ClockOn Australia Corum Health Services Cosmetiques de France Covidien + Microlife Crampeze D>>Brief Diabetes Queensland Difrax Discount Drug Stores Dose Innovations Doward Dr Reddy's East Coast Distributors EasyBlist Ego Pharmaceuticals eRx Script Exchange Essentials in-a-box Ethical Nutrients Evolution Health Evomed Fabienne Flordis Natural Medicines FlowSell Fred IT Group FujiFilm Galderma Generic Health Global Footcare GNP Australia Gold Cross Products & Services Gollmann International Gordochom Solution Guild Pharmacy Academy Guild Training Guild Insurance and GuildSuper

237 346 285 205 - 208 80 & 81 283 & 284 247 245 302 & 305 274 318 & 319 270 332 315 313 196 & 224 60 - 67 134 & 135 127 & 128 347 146 & 147 122 & 123 118 & 120 114 294 & 296 353 316 310 19 & 20 249 121 & 126 185 & 186 139 & 140 83 234 301 12 209 - 212 189 354 355 59 & 68

GuildLink Happy Ears Australia Hartmann Healthnotes Healthpoint HealthSoft iLearning Group IMS Health iNova Pharmaceuticals

289 & 290 190 14 & 15 200 195 & 219 251 201 161 & 162 51, 52, 55 & 56 Instigo 241 Integra, Inc 24 Integria Healthcare 136 & 137 Intellipharm 82 IsoWhey 222 iTherapeutics 248 JA Davey Pty Ltd 239, 242 & 243 Japore Enterprises 329 Johnson & Johnson 108 - 113 JR Pharmacy 3 Key Pharmaceuticals 327 Kimberly Clark 169 & 172 Know IT All Loyalty Systems 1 La Roche-Posay 199 & 202 Lacteeze 304 Le Desire Wellbeing 218 Lightning Brokers 306 & 307 Link Healthcare 259 & 282 Lion Healthcare 244 Lively Living 311 Love Pharmacy 357 & 358 Mater Mothers' Hospitals 344 McGloins 363 McPherson's Consumer 321, 341, 342 Products & 345 md Briefcase 268 + MD Health and Heat 300 Holders MEDA 204 MedAdvisor 130 & 132 Medical Vita Diet 213 Medication Automated 256 Systems Medici Capital 28

Medisca Australia Pty Ltd MethaMeasure Australia Pty Ltd Methsof MJB Smartmed MLE - Making Life Easy MNB Variety Imports Mountaintop Systems MPS Australia MSI Taylor Mundipharma Neat Feat NEHTA Nestle Australia Ltd Nipro Australia No More Sweat Norgine - MOVICOL Novartis NPS Medicinewise +OAPL Omega Pharma Optica Life Accessories Oriental Botanicals Ozepharma Pty Ltd Painmaster Paper-Pak Park Avenue Foods Patterson Medical PCCA Australia Pty Ltd PDL Pfizer Pharmacor Pty Ltd Pharmacy Group Solutions Pharmacy News PharmacyID Pty Ltd Pharmalink Philips Home Healthcare Powrgard Sports + Medical Ranbaxy Australia Raven's Recruitment RB RB Pharmaceuticals

352 312 220 23 27 322 & 323 257 & 258 31 & 32 16 21 & 22 182 & 184 317 288 348 & 350 330 163 291 - 293 & Pamper Lounge 187 217 335 308 Pamper Lounge 261 & 262 314 13 255 203 148 & 149 25 & 26 39 - 44 250 & 252 277 - 281 356 336 29 & 30 299 221 164 & 165 227 175 - 180 359

Regenerate Your Life 236 Retail Pharmacy 360 & 361 Roche Diagnostics Australia 141 - 144 Rocktape 295 & 297 Rollex Medical 232 RSM Bird Cameron & St 117 & 119 George Bank Sanofi 33 - 38 Scholl Orthaheel 326 Sheralven Australia Pty Ltd 235 Shop for Shops 266 Shop Supplies 192 Sigma 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93 Simple Retail 145 & 150 SmarterPharm 181 & 183 Smith + Nephew 4&5 StirlingFildes 263 Sue Ismiel & Daughters Pamper Lounge Swisse 151 - 154 Symbion 94, 95, 100, 101 Telstra 84 TENA & Libra 231 & 233 Terry White Chemists 155 - 160 The Pharmaceutical Locum 79 Company The Pharmacy Guild of 9 - 11 Australia Think National 265 Top Pack Australia Pty Ltd 246 Twilight Years 238 United Pacific Industries 298 (UPI) University of Colorado 320 Denver Wageloch 8 Webstercare 269 & 271 Wild Child Cosmeceuticals 254 Willach Pharmacy Solutions 96 - 99 Z Software 309

Correct as at 20/10/2014

APP2015 SPONSORS

Support the companies that support community pharmacy:

APP EBULLETIN To receive regular conference updates regarding registration, program and speaker information, subscribe to the APP2015 eBulletin by emailing events@qldguild.org.au. CORRESPONDENCE & ENQUIRIES Events Division The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, QLD Branch P: 07 3831 3788 F: 07 3831 9246 E: events@qldguild.org.au

www.appconference.com /APPConference

Getting ready for QCPP accreditation? Meet QCPP training requirements with Guild Training All staff must complete initial and ongoing refresher training - Guild Training provides flexible learning delivered by experienced pharmacy professionals. Online training available Easy enrolment process

Efficient assessment timeframe Range of refresher training topics

Contact your state branch of The Pharmacy Guild of Australia to find out more: NSW & ACT: 02 9467 7130 or training@nsw.guild.org.au VIC: 03 9810 9988 or training@vic.guild.org.au QLD: 07 3831 3788 or admin.training@qldquild.org.au

www.guild.org.au/academy

TAS: 03 6220 2955 or tastraining@guild.org.au SA: 08 8304 8388 or trainingsa@guild.org.au NT: 08 8944 6900 or office@ntguild.org.au WA: 08 9429 4100 or training@wa.guild.org.au

down to business

A hard dish to swallow: Helping your customers understand food allergies Jane Larter B.Pharm, AACPA, MPS Pharmacist – Trainer and Assessor; Pharmacy Guild of Australia QLD

Patients frequently confuse non-allergic food reactions, such as food intolerance, with food allergy and therefore people think the prevalence of food allergy is higher than it actually is. Many childhood food allergies generally resolve, with a majority of children growing out of it before starting school, but the small percentage that take the allergy into adulthood is who we need to assist in pharmacy.

This article will not discuss coeliac disease as it is an autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed people. It is a disorder of the small bowel caused by an immune reaction to dietary gluten (where the lining of the bowel is damaged by the white blood cells of the immune system).1 In Australia 10% of infants (0–1 year), 4–8% of children up to the age of 5, and 2% adults have food allergies.2,3 That’s approximately 65,000 children and 96,000 adults.4 Though any food can cause a reaction, the top 8 allergens, naturally-occurring proteins in foods or derivatives that cause abnormal immune responses, make up about 90% of food allergies and have been listed as eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, crustacean shellfish, and fish.2,5,6 Most children allergic to milk, soy, wheat or eggs will ‘outgrow’ their food allergy. By contrast, allergic reactions to peanuts, tree nuts, seeds and seafood persist in the majority (75%) of children affected. When food allergy develops for the first time in adults, it usually persists.3 A food allergy is defined as an adverse heath effect arising from a specific immune response that occurs reproducibly on exposure to a given food.1,2,5 Food allergies involve two features of the human immune response. One is the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody that circulates through the blood.

GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

“If a customer is using food avoidance as prevention, we should discuss with them their nutritional status and perhaps recommend they visit a dietician to work through an allergen-free food plan that covers all nutritional areas they would require.”

down to business

The other is the mast cell, a specific cell that occurs in all body tissues but is especially common in areas of the body that are typical sites of allergic reactions, including the nose and throat, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract.7 When an allergen is detected, mast cells are triggered to release their contents (including histamine) into the tissues, causing an allergic reaction.1 If the mast cells release chemicals in the ears, nose, and throat, a person may feel an itching in the mouth and may have trouble breathing or swallowing. If the affected mast cells are in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), the person may have abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhoea. The chemicals released by skin mast cells, in contrast, can prompt hives.7 Foods or food components that elicit reproducible adverse reactions but do not have established or likely immunologic mechanisms are not considered food allergens. Instead, these non-immunologic adverse reactions are termed food intolerances.5 Food intolerances are the inability to digest a food and have been associated with asthma, chronic fatigue and IBS, with symptoms such as sweating, palpitations, rapid breathing, headache, migraine and diarrhoea.2,4 To compare, for example, an individual may be allergic to cow’s milk due to an immunologic response to milk protein, or alternatively, that individual may be intolerant to milk due to an inability to digest the sugar lactose. In the former situation, milk protein

is considered an allergen because it triggers an adverse immunologic reaction. Inability to digest lactose leads to excess fluid production in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in abdominal pain and diarrhoea. This condition is termed lactose intolerance, and lactose is not an allergen because the response is not immune based.5,7 Diagnosis of food allergies includes careful history taking, lab studies, elimination diets and often food challenges to confirm that it is an allergy and not an intolerance. To make sure your customers have the best quality of life, reiterate to those who have not been diagnosed but just think it is a food allergy to not avoid foods just because ‘they heard it was the best thing to do’. If they believe it is a food allergy mention they should discuss the thought with their general practitioner. At present time there are no therapies available to prevent or treat food allergies. The only prevention is to avoid the allergen.5 If a customer is using food avoidance as prevention, we should discuss with them their nutritional status and perhaps recommend they visit a dietician to work through an allergen-free food plan that covers all nutritional areas they would require through substitution. There have been many novel approaches to therapy in the late 1990s and throughout the 2000s but currently the only treatment involves management of symptoms as they appear, generally via antihistamines or in severe cases of anaphylaxis, injection of ephinephrine.5 The majority of new treatments being researched have looked at drugs that

alter the immune response to the allergen but are nowhere near being recommended as prevention or treatment. To assist your customers in having an action plan regarding anaphylaxis, take a look at www.allergy.org.au under the health professionals tab. The Queensland Government also has a terrific fact sheet on food safety with additional information regarding organisations. This can be accessed from http://www.health. qld.gov.au/foodsafety/ - 51: Food Allergies. It covers information such as: 1. Making sure your customers know the signs and symptoms of mild to moderate and severe allergic reactions and what to do when a reaction occurs – making sure to have their Action Plan and adrenaline autoinjector (if prescribed) on them at all times. 2. Helping them to understand food labels and how ingredients (allergens) could have multiple names, e.g. milk protein – milk, non-fat milk solids, cheese, yoghurt, whey, lactose. 3. Advising that when the customer is eating out, to tell wait staff about their food allergy. 4. Helping them be aware of cross contamination of food allergens when preparing food.

Should your pharmacy be interested in promoting awareness concerning food allergies why not look at a health promotion around Food Allergy Week 17–23 May 2015 www.foodallergyaware.com.au/

References 1. Food Safety Fact Sheet 51 (Dec. 2013) http://www.health.qld.gov.au/foodsafety/ (Accessed 05/11/2014) 2. Food Allergy and Intolerance (Oct. 2014) http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Food_allergy_and_intolerance (Accessed 05/11/2014) 3. Food Allergy (Jan. 2014) http://www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-allergy/food-allergy (Accessed 05/11/2014) 4. Allergy and intolerance (Jul. 2014) http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/consumers/problems-with-food/allergy-and-intolerance#. VIpQFCuaWFV (Accessed 05/11/2014) 5. Boyce et al (Dec. 2010) J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Report of the NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel VOLUME 126, NUMBER 6 6. What are Food Allergens http://allergenbureau.net/food-allergens/ (Accessed 05/11/2014) 7. Food Allergy and Food Intolerance (2005-2014) http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/food-allergy-intolerances (Accessed 05/11/2014) GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Numbers are just the start!

Peter Saccasan FACP FCA CTA Director of Pharmacy Services, RSM Bird Cameron Chartered Accountants peter.saccasan@rsmi.com.au

Ever heard of the term ‘paralysis by analysis’? It describes the situation where we look at so many numbers/ratios/measures that we lose the impact of their meaning and consequently make no decisions – and nothing changes. Pharmacy owners can, if they wish, extract a long list of performance measures or indicators about their pharmacy, but if the numbers don’t contribute to good decision making, then the question has to be asked – is it worth the trouble of getting the numbers out in the first place?

What’s the point?

“Goals will be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound – in other words, SMART.”

Often pharmacy staff spend a lot of time collating information that is not used. Certain numbers are extracted and recorded in a precise fashion – because? Well, because that’s what has always been done, for years. But why is it being done? Not sure. And who looks at these numbers? Not sure. And why do they need these numbers? No idea. Do these sound like the processes in your business? I think it’s time for a review

GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

of your business information systems and management approach. The data being collated should be directed to a purpose. What are the decisions to which the data is contributing? When are the decisions made so we know when the data needs to be available? By starting with a clean sheet of paper, you can decision a decision-making process that is actually useful and puts to good use the stack of numbers that you regularly produce about your pharmacy.

DOWN TO BUSINESS

“As you begin to initiate actions, you will collect the due dates and people responsible and then put in place a reminder system to ensure you and the team stay focused.”

What are the RIGHT numbers?

How do I keep track of it all?

Generally, you should have some goals that you want to achieve. These goals will be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound – in other words, SMART. By setting out clear goals you can break them down into targets you need to aim for, which, in turn, will tell you what you need to be measuring. As we all know, there is probably a list of about 4 pages of KPIs (key performance indicators) to choose from. Focus on only a few at a time and improve on those before expanding on the list.

If you can establish the right processes, you should be able to track these measures regularly and follow the trend. This will tell you if you are taking the right actions. Hopefully, the measures will show signs of improvement which indicates you are on the right track.

Once you have identified the measures that you should be focusing on, you can do a review and take those measures now. The results you get back should tell you the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. And that should turn into ACTION.

Measure

With each action that is initiated, it is important that you set a date for completion and clearly allocate the action to an individual. There should be clear instructions and a discussion around the required outcome. As you begin to initiate actions, you will collect the due dates and people responsible and then put in place a reminder system to ensure you and the team stay focused.

What numbers, what actions? I discussed earlier that your goals should determine what targets, measures and,

hence, actions should be implemented. But we can discuss some of the more common measures and the actions that should arise. I have set out a table of sample measures and actions and have chosen a couple of typical financial ratios as well as typical store performance ratios. Hopefully, you can see that the numbers should be directing you to take the appropriate action. A pharmacy is no different in many aspects to any other SME – good management practices are important. This includes ensuring you have timely information and take action when needed. By turning your numbers into actions, you will ensure you are focused on constantly improving your pharmacy performance. In these times of PBS reform and strong retail competition, this will be essential to your pharmacy’s survival.

Action

Interest cover: EBITDA (that’s net profit before interest) / Interest

If this is less than 3 times you are heading into danger territory. Banks usually require a cover of no less than 2 times. I like to see owners have a buffer. This can be improved by either improving profits or reducing debt. ‘Improving profits’ is a broad target which covers a number of areas.

Current ratio: Current assets / current liabilities (current means cash or will be cash within 12 months or is due and payable in 12 months)

If this is less than 2:1 then you are heading into danger territory. Most banks will accept 1.5:1. And if you are less than 1, then you really are in trouble. You need to stop taking money out of the business. If the money is going out to pay tax and reduce debt, then this can’t be helped, but it does indicate, if your current ratio is low, that you are undercapitalised. If your profits disappear, you will be in trouble. Can you find a friendly interest-free lender (family?) who can put some cash in to stabilise the business? If the money is going out simply in owner drawings, then stop taking the money out.

Items per customer

If this is less than 2, then there is a selling opportunity in your business. How will you improve this? Do you have the right merchandise? Do you have the right staff? Do they need training? Is your roster effective? Does the pharmacist engage the customer sufficiently? Or at all?

Stock Intensity: Stock on hand per m2

If your stock intensity is less than $1,400, the results I see tell me that your front of shop will not be as strong as it should. Of course, it is not simply a matter of buying more stock. It means you need to do the right analysis to improve your merchandising and stock weight to improve your sales. And this would also include staff training and the right marketing plan to drive sales.

GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

Category Review

Osteoarthritis in community pharmacy: A brief review

By Nate Hentschel Pharmacist, B.Pharm.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a condition which affects as many as 1 in 5 Australians1. It is a painful condition affecting the joints and cartilage, typically presenting as knee, hip, or hand joint inflammation and often involving damage to the surrounding cartilage, tendons and ligaments.

Interested in having Tony Ferguson in your Pharmacy? Contact Julie- Ann today on 0410 417 135 or julie-ann.wharley@tonyferguson.com

Category Review

Joint pain in osteoarthritis can range from being very mild or be quite debilitating, and may be accompanied by stiffness or loss of movement2. Arthritis is a condition which is prevalent in pharmacies around Australia, and pharmacists are in an optimal position to help patients develop a holistic approach to managing their symptoms. Because the primary symptoms of osteoarthritis can be mistaken for other conditions, it is important to ensure a proper diagnosis before commencing treatment.

How does arthritis affect our communities? Arthritis can be debilitating in many people and lead to decreased ability to work, exercise or socialise. Because it is difficult to remain physically active for people with more severe arthritis, the possibility of gaining weight and developing conditions such as hypertension or dyslipidemia is also increased. Research has shown that obesity may increase the risk of developing arthritis, and that weight loss can help to reduce the symptoms of those with arthritis3. For these reasons, it is essential for health professionals to stress the importance of a healthy diet, appropriate exercise and adequate pain management in people with arthritis so that they can maintain optimum health and well-being.

How can we manage osteoarthritis in the pharmacy? The primary goal in osteoarthritis is to minimise the symptoms the patient experiences and to reduce the risk of developing co-morbidities. There are numerous ways one can manage symptoms of arthritis in community pharmacies and, by educating the patient, we can help them to choose the best combination of management strategies to suit their needs.

Topical products

Anti-inflammatories

Ideal for knees and hands or other small joints, topical NSAIDs or rubefacients may provide some mild symptom relief and have less systemic absorption than other treatment options. Products such as Nurofen or Voltaren gels and creams can provide some local pain relief with less possibility of adverse effects than oral NSAIDs, while capsaicin-based products have also shown to be effective, but generally need to be used for a few weeks before showing a significant benefit.

Arthritis is most prominent in elderly patients who are also more likely to suffer from blood pressure, renal or cardiovascular problems. Since most anti-inflammatory medications can have a negative impact on these conditions, their use should be carefully considered and limited if possible. Short-term use may be warranted for more severe, acute pain in patients where NSAIDs are appropriate – often in combination with paracetamol.

Glucosamine The use of glucosamine, with or without chondroitin, remains a popular alternative therapy in Australia. A 2005 Cochrane review of glucosamine determined that although glucosamine is unlikely to be significantly better than a placebo, it may still reduce pain or improve physical function4. Patients with coagulation disorders or shellfish allergies should avoid glucosamine, however glucosamine is otherwise well tolerated, making it an alternative option for many patients.

References 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Arthritis, osteoporosis and other musculoskeletal conditions. 2. Lynch A, Dunican K, Seed S. Osteoarthritis: A review of treatment options. Formulary, 2009;44:143-151. 3. Coggon D, Reading I, Croft P, McLaren M, Barrett D, Cooper C. Knee osteoarthritis and obesity. International Journal of Obesity, 2001, 25(5):622-627. 4. Towheed T, Maxwell L, Anastassiades TP, Shea B, Houpt J, Welch V, Hochberg MC, Wells GA. Glucosamine therapy for treating osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 2.

“The primary goal in osteoarthritis is to minimise the symptoms the patient experiences and to reduce the risk of developing co-morbidities.”

Exercise & weight loss This is especially important in those who are overweight, however, regular exercise can benefit anyone and will help to build and maintain strength and flexibility in arthritic joints. Weight loss will also reduce the stress on the joints of the knees and hips, which can help improve symptoms such as stiffness, and reduce pain in the long-term. The patient may also benefit from seeking physiotherapy to develop specific exercises that benefit a particular joint or muscle group.

Paracetamol First-line therapy for osteoarthritis pain; paracetamol is a safe choice if the patient needs something to help manage their symptoms. Paracetamol has been shown to be effective in managing arthritic pain and is usually better tolerated than other options such as NSAIDs or opioids. GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

down to business

The Secret Strategy to Help You Build Your Pharmacy into a

Health Destination

Hub

BY vanessa lontos The Care Project – Helping pharmacies build health and wellness services.

It was Albert Einstein who said, ‘Try not to become a man of success, but rather a man of value’. Having spent the last few months working in a number of different and busy pharmacies, I have found myself facing a new and interesting challenge. How do I give each person great value?

Quite often the only pharmacist on duty and eager to practise in a way that connects with and serves every patient well, I have found myself frequently feeling overwhelmed, slightly puffed and apparently taking ‘too long’! Giving value, and meeting your customers’ expectations around value, is an important and sometimes tricky balancing act. For much of my career I have been taught to think about the value I create in terms of the competitive pricing of prescriptions, thoroughly counselling each patient, and through upselling and add-on sales where appropriate. But recently I have found myself exploring the importance of giving value in a different way and I’ve made some very interesting and unexpected discoveries! The most influential discovery being that value is often not so much about

Person

Problem

Product

the savings and discounts we offer, but more about the way we help our patients solve their problems. In his book ‘To Sell is Human’, Dan Pink explores sales and service in a different light and urges people to stop using the word ‘upsell’ and instead urges them to ‘Up-Serve’ instead. What’s the difference you ask? Well, if you upsell, you are in essence focusing on yourself – that is, you are focusing internally on all the reasons why you think you should recommend a product. You are focused on you, and your product and sales targets. However, the customer doesn’t care about how much you sell, they care about their problems and issues. When you focus on up-serving you learn that your first priority needs to be focused on the customer, not your products or services. Upselling can sometimes upset your customers, up-serving can only leave them feeling seen, heard and delighted.

So how do you Up-Serve, solve problems, and create valuable experiences for your customers? Here are 3 areas to focus on during each interaction to help you along:

and approachable establishes trust and rapport, and these together drive responsiveness. People are much more willing to accept your recommendations and ultimately buy your products and services when they have been allowed to be themselves, express themselves, and share their problems with you. Think about your own experiences and your own personal relationships. The ones you value the most and those that you reach out to are often those who show that they genuinely care about you.

2. Be PRESENT and focused on solving the patient’s PROBLEM

Simply speaking, this begins with moving out from behind the dispensary. Your best work is done when it is just you – your caring attitude and listening ears. Studies also now confirm that the first 30 seconds are critical to the success or failure of many interactions.

People are assessing you all the time as to whether you are giving value, creating an enjoyable experience for them, and whether you are the right person to help them solve their problems. The sorts of problems we are able to help solve include:

1. Focus on building a relationship with the PERSON you are serving

There are always two people building up or breaking down a relationship. Whether you are meeting someone for the first time or you are serving a very regular customer for their repeat prescriptions, there is always an opportunity to establish strength in the relationship. Being friendly

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•• the management of acute symptoms •• medication compliance and advice •• prevention, treatment and management of chronic disease.

Another very important problem we must focus on solving is preventing medication misadventure. You must inform people

down to business

of possible harms associated with medications. For example, dependence associated with chronic opioid use is largely prevented through education and follow-up advice.

•• Some people with these challenges like to use ____________

•• Some people on this medicine also

The quickest way to helping solve problems is to be caring and curious about who you are within each moment. Ask questions such as:

find the following ____________ helpful •• Some people find they (insert problem here – for e.g. they lack energy with this medicine) – how are you managing?

•• How can I help you today? •• How are you feeling about taking this medication?

•• What is most challenging for you at the moment? •• What support do you have available to you at the moment? •• What symptoms are you experiencing?

Remember I’m not suggesting it is your job to provide a quick fix for every problem, but it is important to see yourself as someone who helps solve health problems through support, education and empowerment.

3. Recommend the PRODUCT with humility

Only now are you ready to recommend a product. By establishing rapport and being present, you’re much better positioned to help partner with your patients. From there you can help them navigate their circumstances and problems, and hopefully find solutions that allow sustainable health and wellbeing.

To help you recommend additional products such as vitamins, the following statements may help:

Always remember the patient is always the expert on what is best for them, and sometimes all your best intentions will be met with someone who isn’t ready to accept your recommendation. That’s ok. Keep focusing on giving value and they will return when they are ready.

Establishing your pharmacy as a place of value for the community is a very important step in the sustainability of ‘health-hub community pharmacy’ today. Rosabeth Moss Kanter in her HBR* article ‘How Great Companies Think Differently’ highlights that ‘companies are more than just instruments for generating money they are also vehicles for accomplishing societal purposes and for providing meaningful livelihoods for those who work in them’. Pharmacies can apply the same philosophy. Spend time learning and understanding your customers’ individual and collective health challenges and then offer

“Companies are more than just instruments for generating money they are also vehicles for accomplishing societal purposes and for providing meaningful livelihoods for those who work in them.”

services that solve these problems. Are there lots of new families with children that get sick frequently? Offer free health information seminars about preventing the common cold and then recommend vitamins and herbs during these seminars. Building your pharmacy through giving value takes passion, perseverance and practical strategies that work. A helpful distinction to make is that you begin to see yourself as a business that doesn’t sell medications but one that sells health. Then all of these small changes you can make as individuals are the stepping stones to creating a health-hub offering – a future where pharmacies evolve into total health and wellness destinations and your customers enjoy much better levels of health, and wellbeing is achievable ... it starts with you.

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N EW

Osteoarthritis Pain Relief New Nagestic Osteo provides a simple, more natural approach to osteoarthritis symptom relief and may be an effective solution where conventional medications are ineffective, contraindicated or inappropriate, or where patients are concerned with the long terms effects of their use. Nagestic Osteo contains the powerful natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant curcumin from Cumerone®, an advanced bio-active curcumin formulation that significantly enhances absorption and bioavailability to improve onset of action and therapeutic effect.

✓ Provides temporary relief of osteoarthritic and rheumatic pain

✓ May reduce associated joint stiffness, swelling and inflammation

✓ Is gentle enough to use every day Nagestic Osteo for persistent pain and Nagestic Osteo Acute, an extra strength formula for acute flare-ups, may provide your patients with an effective osteoarthritis symptom management solution.

Product Information: Nagestic Osteo Tablets contain curcumin 6.074mg from Cumerone®. Nagestic Osteo Acute Tablets contain 12.148mg curcumin from Cumerone®. Contraindications: Pregnancy and lactation. Biliary obstruction or gall stones. Precautions: Theoretically high-dose curcumin may increase the risk of bleeding when used concomitantly with anticoagulant or anti-platelet drugs. Do not give to children 4 years of age and under. Interactions: None known. Dosage and Administration: 1 to 3 tablets daily as pain levels require. Commence treatment with 2 tablets daily and adjust dosage up or down as pain levels require. BioRevive Pty Ltd Phone 1300 790 978 Email biorevive@biorevive.com www.biorevive.com

Children’s Cough? Try Kids PROSPAN for Cough Relief ®

For promotional deals contact BioRevive now! BioRevive Pty Ltd ABN 58 097 360 417 Phone 1300 790 978 Email biorevive@biorevive.com www.biorevive.com Always read the label. Use as directed. Consult your healthcare practitioner if symptoms persist. For under 2 year olds, please refer to the pharmacist.

CUSTOM DISPENSARY SOLUTIONS New Flowsell ® Dispensa™ Solutions make it easy to design the most optimal and efficient layouts for small to large pharmacies. The flexible Dispensa™ systems — Rear Load Cabinet, free standing and wall mounted PullOut Shelves and Drawer Cabinets — allow for cost effective customised dispensary solutions. All Dispensa™ dispensary products are manufactured to ISO standard 9001 and are backed by a five year warranty. Our full service program includes consultation, store plans, supply and national installation. Contact us today to find out how Flowsell can custom design a system to help improve your business.

flowsellpharmacysolutions.com.au

Flowsell ® Factory 1/13 Network Drive, Carrum Downs, Victoria 3201 T: (03) 9708 2276 F: (03) 9708 2279 E: sales@flowsell.com.au

GUILDCARE PROGRAMS

Obesity Crisis IN AUSTRALIA

BY ROMA CECERE General Manager – Strategic Business Performance, GuildCare

One of the most critical health issues facing the nation is Obesity. In June 2014, the OECD reported that more than one in four Australian adults is obese. Of concern is that, unlike England and the United States where obesity levels have stabilised, Australia’s obesity growth rates ‘continue to be robust’. (OECD Obesity Update June 2014)

Figure 2. Obesity rates

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ‘being overweight or obese increases a person’s risk of developing long-term health conditions including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.’ (ABS Profiles of Health, Australia, 2011–13)

PHARMACY IS PART OF THE SOLUTION Pharmacy can play a greater role in turning around the obesity trend by helping patients change their behaviour – recording what they do helps the patients become more self-aware. In time, this will help prevent a broad range of other associated health issues. What better outcome would pharmacy patients want? Pharmacists have the distinct advantage of their capacity to access patients’ dispense history and can discuss options with them thoughtfully. After all, Pharmacists are highly trusted and the ideal experts to support patients’ journeys to return to normal weight and, importantly, stay there. One in four Australian children is also overweight or obese. (OECD Obesity Update, June 2014)

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The Guild’s Discover More ‘Ask your Pharmacist’ campaign is driving more patients into pharmacy. So, now’s a great time to offer them support with their New Year’s resolutions, as some of them return to old habits.

GUILDCARE PROGRAMS

“According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ‘being overweight or obese increases a person’s risk of developing long-term health conditions including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.’ ”

GUILDCARE HELPS PHARMACISTS HELP PATIENTS Unlike other programs, GuildCare helps pharmacies navigate professional service delivery with one seamless software solution. It focuses on and enables the development of a patient centric model of care, including personalised patient handouts. This is today’s pharmacy best practice. GuildCare is easy to use. It includes a range of Patient Services such as Blood Pressure, Vaccination and Weight Management. Impromy is available exclusively through selected pharmacies. It is a health and weight management program. This can be used on Guildcare once the pharmacy has subscribed directly to Impromy. The program has been has been clinically tested by the CSIRO. A new addition to Guildcare is ClickFit. It’s a personalised program designed for

all types of consumers with a large variety of options, to lose weight, improve health and fitness, or improve overall wellbeing. It’s scientifically robust, delivering weight loss of up to 6 kg in 12 weeks. ClickFit can be used alone or together with any of the leading meal replacements sold in pharmacy. ClickFit is available free of charge to GuildCare subscribers.

everything in GuildCare allows review and ongoing management. This is a great feedback tool and also helps to motivate the staff. These key steps are not done in isolation. Another key factor for success is creating awareness of the services to provide by communicating to patients and other health professionals in the local area.

KEYS TO PHARMACY SUCCESS Gone are the days where Pharmacies concentrate only on dispense and supply. With margins continuing to decline, GuildCare unlocks a growing number of revenue opportunities. This is also important for the patient as it enables the pharmacist to support their quality of life in the long term. The most successful GuildCare pharmacies have allocated a staff member to manage implementation. Setting goals for the staff is the next key component. Recording

WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE? The GuildCare Support Team can assist with any questions you have in becoming a subscriber. Training and technical support is also available. Simply email support@guildcare.com.au or call 1300 647 492 (8.30 am – 7pm AEDT weekdays). Feel free to visit our website at www.guildcare.com.au.

Interested in having Tony Ferguson in your Pharmacy? Contact Julie- Ann today on 0410 417 135 or julie-ann.wharley@tonyferguson.com

WHAT’s NEW & company news

MEDICINE MASTERCLASS WITH WORLD EXPERTS World-leading functional medicine experts will visit Sydney on 17-19 April 2015 to conduct an intensive three-day masterclass for Australian healthcare professionals. The 3rd BioCeuticals Research Symposium program will feature international leaders in functional medicine and cover key theoretical and practical knowledge for integrative practitioners.

Teeth whitening – article for pharmacists There are a number of teeth whitening and bleaching products available on the market, as a result of Australians’ rising demand for whiter teeth. Most people however have little knowledge about the potential safety risks surrounding the various whitening treatments. Whitening or bleaching procedures being performed by anyone other than a dentist is risky, as teeth whitening can cause side effects such as heightened tooth sensitivity, gum problems and uneven coloured teeth. Some of these changes can be irreversible. There are a number of over-the-counter teeth whitening products available in pharmacies, including whitening toothpastes and do-it-yourself whitening gels and kits. It is important for pharmacists to be aware that every mouth is unique and any type of whitening product can have disappointing or damaging results if inappropriately chosen or improperly used.

Titled the Interconnected Drivers of Health and Disease, the Symposium will specifically focus on functional medicine, oxidative stress and immune dysfunction. It will highlight the latest advances in nutritional and integrative medicine and cover the fields of cardiology and cardiovascular medicine, hypertension, neurology, gastroenterology, mucosal immunology, toxicology and detoxification. The 3rd annual Symposium will help turn international medical research into clinical reality for Australian practitioners. Key speakers include, international expert in Integrative Cardiovascular Medicine, Dr Mark Houston (USA), world renowned in Functional Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunology, Mr Michael Ash (UK), International Toxicity and Detoxification specialist, and coauthor of the renowned Textbook of Natural Medicine, Dr Joseph Pizzorno (USA) and leading Functional Neurologist, Dr Catherine Willner (USA). The Symposium is be hosted by BioCeuticals® - a proud sponsor of 10 key clinical trials in primary healthcare facilities. >> www.bioceuticals.com.au

Before considering whitening, pharmacists may ask their patients the following:

•• Have you tried other ways to whiten your teeth without a chemical treatment, like having a professional scale and clean by your dentist and maintaining good oral hygiene habits? •• Have you consulted your dentist and had your teeth assessed for suitability? •• Has your dentist, in their professional opinion, recommended the treatment? •• Are you aware of the side effects associated with teeth whitening? Dr Peter Alldritt is Chair of the Australian Dental Association’s Oral Health Committee. >> www.ada.org.au

“It is important for pharmacists to be aware that every mouth is unique and any type of whitening product can have disappointing or damaging results if inappropriately chosen or improperly used.”

MedAdvisor seeks to solve issue of medicine non-adherence A new study from The Cochrane Library has revealed that only half of patients are taking their medication as prescribed[i] however, Aussie-owned MedAdvisor may offer the solution. Medication management app MedAdvisor aims to help millions of Australians overcome some of the day-to-day challenges of taking medication safely and effectively. It is supported by an extensive network of group and independent pharmacies across the country. Through the system’s connection to pharmacies, patients are provided with an automatic list of all their medications, with live information about their supply of each medication, scripts and repeats left and full training on proper use of their medicines. To date, more than 1,150 pharmacies have connected to the MedAdvisor platform nationally with over 50,000 patients already utilising the technology. MedAdvisor is a leading example of the technological advances that seek to empower patients to better manage their own health, with the remote oversight of healthcare professionals. The apps are available for download via either the Apple App Store or Android™ (Google Play) Store. MedAdvisor is also accessible from any web browser via PC or laptop at: >> www.medadvisor.com.au

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Introducing new Murine Eye Mist Introducing new Murine Eye Mist, formulated to gently moisturise and refresh dry and tired eyes. It’s preservative free and can be used as often as needed. And it’s suitable for use with contact lenses and eye makeup. Murine Eye Mist – Refreshes dry eyes, naturally. >> www.murine.com.au RRP: $16.95

BOOST LITTLE IMMUNE SYSTEMS For children who get sick often, recommend Inner Health Immune Booster for Kids. This probiotic formula contains the exclusive and extensively researched strains Lactobacillus acidophilus (NCFM®) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bi-07), which are clinically shown to reduce the frequency and severity of cold and flu symptoms. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional. >> www.innerhealth.com.au

Lacto-Free Lacto-Free is specially formulated to improve the digestion of lactose in dairy, particularly for people who are lactose intolerant and experiencing problems digesting lactose. Lacto-Free helps break down the lactose found in dairy products, allowing you to enjoy milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream without the symptoms. Available in a convenient dispenser with 100 mini tablets. Supplier: Care Pharmaceuticals >> 1800 788 870 >> www.lactofree.com.au

Nutra-Life Probiotic 50 Billion Nutra-Life Probiotic 50 Billion is a high-strength formula containing 50 billion colony forming units (CFUs) from 11 strains of beneficial probiotic bacteria. It helps support healthy immune function, general digestive health and the balance of good bacteria in the digestive tract following antibiotic use. Shelf stable* and convenient for travel. Always read the label. Use only as directed. *Store below 25° >> www.nutralife.com.au

RRP: $25.95

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training and education

Managing Lactose Intolerance Lacto-Free® allows you to enjoy dairy products without the symptoms such as bloating, cramps, excess gas and diarrhoea. Lacto-Free® has been specially formulated to improve the digestion of lactose in dairy products, particularly for people who are lactose intolerant and experience problems digesting lactose.

What is lactose intolerance? Lactose intolerance is the most common food intolerance today and it is estimated that up to 70 percent of the world’s population are lactose intolerant to some extent. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, a natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. Lactase is the digestive enzyme found in the small intestine and breaks down dairy sugars (lactose) into simple absorbable sugars (glucose and galactose), which can then be absorbed as part of the normal digestive process. The level of lactase enzyme in the body varies between individuals. If the enzyme is not available in sufficient amounts, lactose will not be digested completely and therefore will be moved into the large intestine where bacterial fermentation starts to build, causing the unpleasant symptoms of lactose intolerance.

What are the symptoms? •• •• •• •• ••

Nausea Bloating Diarrhoea Wind Cramping

These symptoms will last for as long as the food containing lactose remains in the intestine.

to building peak bone mass early in life (three serves of dairy per day will provide enough calcium for most people); however, people who eliminate dairy from their diet may have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis later in life. An alternative method for managing lactose intolerance is to supplement the diet with a lactase enzyme such as Lacto-Free® so that you can enjoy dairy products without the symptoms.

What are the treatment options?

What are the benefits of Lacto-Free®?

Sufferers of lactose intolerance often try eliminating or reducing dairy from their diet. This is increasingly difficult as many unsuspecting foods like pastries, potato crisps and cereal can contain hidden lactose. Dairy is also a valuable source of calcium and vitamins. These vitamins are essential

Lacto-Free® is an extra strength formulation containing 4,000 Acid Lactase Units (ALU). Supplementing the diet with extra lactase enzymes will help break down the lactose sugar found in dairy, making it possible for you to enjoy dairy products such as milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream without the symptoms.

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Lacto-Free® is available in a unique, convenient dispenser unit with 100 easy-toswallow mini tablets. Simply take 1–2 tablets prior to consuming dairy to help reduce the symptoms. Lacto-Free® is preservative free and suitable to take during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional.

For more information on Lacto-Free® contact your Care Pharmaceuticals Representative, FREECALL 1800 788 870 or visit www.lactofree.com.au

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Nutra-Life BioActive Curcumin 1.0 INDICATION

4.0 BREASTFEEDING/PREGNANCY

Q. What is Nutra-Life BioActive Curcumin used for?

Q. Can this product be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding?

A. Nutra-Life BioActive Curcumin functions as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant supplement suitable for use in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress Beneficial for temporary reduction of the pain associated with arthritic and osteoarthritic joint disease, Curcumin’s role in reducing inflammation also makes it effective for reducing the symptoms associated with medically diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

A. There are no known reasons why Meriva® Curcumin Phospholipid extract cannot be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

2.0 MODE OF ACTION Q. How does Nutra-Life BioActive Curcumin work? A. High in active, easily absorbed Curcumin, Nutra-Life BioActive Curcumin is formulated using the patented phospholipid extract Meriva®. Phospholipid extracts allow easy access of the active Curcumin molecule to the cellular receptors that indicate its function as a natural Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) working to inhibit the Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inflammatory pathway.

3.0 PRECAUTIONS/ CONTRAINDICATIONS/INTERACTIONS Q. Are there any patients who would not benefit from this product? A. No. This product is suitable for patients suffering arthritis/osteoarthritis and medically diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) when taken as directed. Q. Are there any herb-drug interactions or herb-condition interactions that should be considered? A. No, there are no known herb-drug or herb-condition interactions for Meriva® Curcumin Phospholipid extract.

5.0 SIDE EFFECTS Q. Are there any side effects to be aware of or is the product well tolerated? A. This product is well tolerated and does not cause the gastrointestinal erosion or acid producing side effects of conventional Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). This makes Mervia® Curcumin suitable for sufferers of inflammatory gut disorders not able to take conventional NSAIDs.

6.0 COMPARATIVE INFORMATION

“Beneficial for temporary reduction of the pain associated with arthritic and osteoarthritic joint disease, Curcumin’s role in reducing inflammation also makes it effective for reducing the symptoms associated with medically diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).”

Q. What makes Nutra-Life BioActive Curcumin different/better? A. Using Meriva® Phospholipid extract means there are none of the contraindications or cautions experienced when taking standard Curcumin or Turmeric extracts.

Nutra-Life BioActive Curcumin is more easily absorbed than standard extracts of Curcumin, due to its phospholipid absorption capabilities.

7.0 COUNSELLING POINTS Q. How to use the product? A. Take two capsules daily, or as directed by your healthcare professional. Q. With or without meals? A. This product can be taken before or after meals, or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Caution must be taken when comparing Meriva® extract with other Curcumin or Turmeric based extracts, as other extracts do have contraindications and cautions not applicable to the Meriva® extract. GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

down to business

How MedAdvisor Can Help You GPs must embrace innovation to increase medicine adherence BY SEAN TUNNY Editor, Gold Cross Products & Services Pty Ltd

A new study from The Cochrane Library has revealed that only half of patients are taking their medication as prescribed1, and that GPs remain at a loss as to how to address this concerning issue. Yet Aussie innovation may offer the solution. MedAdvisor, an Australian technology start up, delivers mobile and web apps that offer patients an advanced yet easy-to-use free tool to manage their medications.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Melbourne-based MedAdvisor launched 12 months ago, with the aim of helping millions of Australians overcome some of the day-to-day challenges of taking medication safely and effectively.â&#x20AC;?

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down to business

“Mobile and web devices offer entirely new ways to engage with patients and coach them to use medicine reliably and appropriately.”

With the Cochrane Library study finding a substantial impact of poor medication adherence on patients’ health, GPs have voiced a concern over the longstanding issue, an issue they seek interventions to address. The study adds to the weight of US and international research that show medication adherence problems are one of the most costly issues for health systems globally2. Melbourne-based MedAdvisor launched 12 months ago, with the aim of helping millions of Australians overcome some of the day-to-day challenges of taking medication safely and effectively. It is supported by an extensive network of group and independent pharmacies across the country. Through the system’s connection to pharmacies, patients are provided with an automatic list of all their medications, with live information about their supply of each medication, scripts and repeats left and full training on proper use of their medicines. To date, more than 1,150 pharmacies have connected to the MedAdvisor platform nationally with over 50,000 patients already utilising the technology. GPs play a key role in recommending new technologies to patients to help them manage their medication, particularly for those patients most likely to have trouble adhering to their medications. Chronic, asymptomatic conditions often present a significant adherence challenge, for example common

blood pressure and cholesterol management medications do not present short-term symptoms. If patients do not feel symptoms, it can be all too easy to forget doses or go for days without important medication.

MedAdvisor is a leading example of the technological advances that seek to empower patients to better manage their own health, with the remote oversight of healthcare professionals.

The MedAdvisor apps give users an automatic list of the patient’s prescription medications on their smart phone, tablet, or PC web browser. Users can view important information such as side effects and effective usage tips as well as receiving automatic reminders when supply is running low, when they need to visit their doctor for new scripts, or when it’s time to take each dose. The ‘Tap-to-Refill’ feature allows users to order their script repeats remotely and then pick up the pre-filled scripts on arrival at the pharmacy – not only of great benefit to the customer, but helping pharmacies to drive customer satisfaction. A feature called ‘Carer Mode’ allows carers to manage the medication of children or elderly family members alongside their own medicines.

The apps are available for download via either the Apple App Store or Android ™ (Google Play) Store. MedAdvisor is also accessible from any web browser via PC or laptop at www.medadvisor.com.au.

Josh Swinnerton, MedAdvisor Managing Director commented: “Patient medication adherence is an ongoing issue globally and one that cannot be addressed by healthcare professionals alone. Medication adherence is a patient challenge, so any solution needs to empower and connect with the patient to bring about effective improvements in behaviour. We started MedAdvisor as we saw a great opportunity for mobile devices to act as day-to-day coaching and reminder tools to help anyone that regularly uses medication. There has been a huge surge in development of e-health and m-health technologies in recent years, and GPs must keep abreast of new tools available in order to help their patients achieve better outcomes. Mobile and web devices offer entirely new ways to engage with patients and coach them to use medicine reliably and appropriately. That’s what MedAdvisor is all about; it’s like having a pharmacist in your pocket. We have received an incredibly positive response directly from patients and pharmacists, and GPs can now play their role in introducing patients to all the tools available to them.”

For further information and to find a MedAdvisor pharmacy, visit www.medadvisor.com.au.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc. Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

About MedAdvisor MedAdvisor International Pty Ltd is a Melbourne based company that has developed the medication management software, MedAdvisor. The software provides patients with a virtual coach, Pharmacist Phil, who assists them in managing their medication safely, effectively and reliably. MedAdvisor employs state-of-the-art cloud technology to provide patients with ongoing access to their medication information through the convenience and accessibility of mobiles, tablets and web connected devices. In collaboration with our partners Actavis, GuildLink and our newest partner Bupa, MedAdvisor aims to improve medication adherence and raise awareness of medication safety Australia-wide.

References 1 Nieuwlaat R, Wilczynski N, Navarro T, Hobson N, Jeffery R, Keepanasseril A, Agoritsas T, Mistry N, Iorio A, Jack S, Sivaramalingam B, Iserman E, Mustafa RA, Jedraszewski D, Cotoi C, Haynes RB. Interventions for enhancing medication adherence. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD000011. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD000011.pub4 2 Estimated up to half of all Australians taking medications fail to adhere to their prescribed medicine regimens. Australian Government Department of Health and The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, National trial to test strategies to improve medication compliance in a community pharmacy setting, 2007. GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

60 SECONDS WITH... Pharmacy Name… Country Wellness Group was established by me with two other partners in year 2012. Since our inception, we have grown from a traditional retail pharmacy model to an integrated health care supply chain provider with a strong driving force for continuous innovation in scope and complexity and creating value to our customers. Our Group’s effort has earned us a respectable and valuable reputation in the pharmaceutical industry and also the business community with the recent award at the 2014 Australian Start-Up Telstra Business Awards. I decided to become a pharmacist because... Retail pharmacy appealed to me as it offered lots of opportunities to interact with customers and at the same time canvassed my interest in health sciences.

Boon Wai Lim

Pharmacist Director, Country Wellness Group

My favourite hobby is... Sports – tennis, basketball, soccer, running. My favourite book is... Mark Bouris “What It Takes”. He is an inspirational story. My best getaway ever was... My honeymoon to London / Paris / Rome. How I keep myself updated to the market news... I am proud of the quality of our publications by the Pharmacy Guild and Pharmacy Society of Australia as well as other independent publishers e.g. Pharmacy Daily, Pharmacy News and AusPharm.net.au. I also read the Australian Financial Review and BRW magazine to keep abreast of business and political developments.

I have been working as a pharmacist for... Since year 2006. I started off as a trainee pharmacist in Northern Territory. My friends thought I was mad to take up this offer. I worked my way up through the ranks and have never looked back since.

Over the next 3 years in pharmacy, I predict... We will experience radical shift in how consumers view and use pharmacies as their first point of access for health matters. We will also embrace and accept the rising use of digital technology in automation and electronic systems in pharmacies.

What I like best about my job is... The genuine smiles and words of appreciation from my customers when I have helped them. Also, being a mentor to my staff members who work with me, not work for me.

If I could give any advice to someone starting a career in pharmacy, it would be... Just do it. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from achieving your dream. Surround yourself with energy givers not energy takers.

Not All Probiotics Are The Same WHY RECOMMEND ND INNER HEALTH PLUS? US? Inner Health Plus is an exclusive probiotic, developed evelo ev eloped ped usive us ive and and by the probiotic experts. It contains the exclusive cidoph cid ophilu iluss extensively researched strain Lactobacillus acidophilus (NCFM®), and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bi-07).

Have your customers recently taken antibiotics?

Do your customers suffer from gas or bloating?

Want to improve general wellbeing?

Want to maintain healthy digestion and immunity?

Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional.

Find out the full benefits, visit: www.ethicalnutrients.com.au

IHP2877 - 01/14 /14 1

Not all probiotics do the same thing and it’ss no nott just just the number of good bacteria that counts. Recommend omme mmend nd probiotics with scientifically researched and va validated valid lidate ated d strains such as Inner Health Plus, and help p restore restore rest ore your customers digestive balance and improve rove ro ve the theirir general wellbeing.

www.innerhealth.com.au

Business directory

Business Directory FLOWSELL

Actavis

1/13 Network Drive Carrum Downs VIC 3201 Tel: (61-3) 9708 2276 >> www.flowsell.com.au

Level 5, 117 Harrington Street The Rocks, NSW, Australia Tel: 02 8220 4600 >> www.actavis.com.au

Paper-Pak Tel: 1800 088 258 >> www.paper-pak.net

PCCA HEALTH WORLD

Bindweld

741 Nudgee Road Northgate QLD 4013 Tel: 07 3117 3300 >> www.healthworld.com.au

Suite 6, level 1 221 Miller Street North Sydney, NSW, 2060 Tel: (02) 9922 4902 >> www.bindweld.com

1/ 73 Beauchamp Road Matraville, NSW 2036 Australia Tel: 1300 722 269 >> www.pccarx.com.au

RSM Bird Cameron >> www.rsmi.com.au

Integria Health

BioRevive Pty Ltd

8 Clunies Ross Court Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 Tel: 07 3423 6400 >> www.integria.com

182 Stawell Street Burnley, VIC 3121 Tel: 1300 790 978 >> www.biorevive.com

CARE PHARMACEUTICALS

Tony Ferguson Tel: 1800 612 644 >> www.tonyferguson.com

LEASE1

Suite 302 Level 3 75 Grafton Street NSW 2022 Tel: 02 9300 1900 >> www.carepharma.com.au

Retailer House – Level 1, Unit 3 321 Kelvin Grove Road Kelvin Grove QLD 4059 Tel: 1300 766 369 >> www.lease1.com.au

Vitaco

Doward International

MedChannel

Wild Child

50 Malcolm Road Braeside Vic 3195 Tel: 1800 369 273 >> www.doward.com.au

Unit 2 / 22 Ironbark Close Warabrook NSW 2304 Tel: 02 4967 1011 >> www.medchannel.com.au

2 Action Road Malaga, WA 6090 Tel: 08 9249 3553 >> www.wildchildcosmeceuticals.com

Level 1, 82 Waterloo Road North Ryde NSW 2113 Tel: 02 9490 0300 >> www.vitaco.com.au

Would you like to advertise in our new Business Directory? Contact Jess O’Connor onGOLD Ph: CROSS 07 3040 4415 or Email: jessica.oconnor@goldx.com.au PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

After Hours

AFTER HOURS Februray/March 2015

ICC Cricket World Cup The ICC Cricket World Cup is the flagship event of the international cricket calendar and takes place every four years, with matches contested in a 50-over format. The 2015 edition will be the 11th of the tournament and will be jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia. The two countries combined in 1992 to jointly host the tournament.

•• One of the world’s largest international sports tournaments

•• 14 competing teams •• Engaging one fifth of the world’s population

•• Expected television audience of more than a billion people

•• More than 400 accredited players and officials The first tournament took place in England in 1975 and was won by the West Indies. The most recent event, held in 2011, was won by India who hosted the tournament along with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The first matches for 2015 will be played in Christchurch and Melbourne on 14 February, with the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 29 March. Fourteen teams will participate in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. The initial phase will involve two pools of seven teams playing in a round-robin format. The top four teams from each pool will proceed to the knockout stage of the tournament, which will comprise quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. There will be no third place play-off. The ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy is presented to the winner of the tournament final. The current trophy was created for the 1999 championships, and was the first permanent prize in the tournament’s history. Prior to this, different trophies were made for each ICC Cricket World Cup. The trophy was

GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

designed and produced in London by a team of craftsmen from Garrard & Co over a period of two months. The current trophy is made from silver and gilt, and features a golden globe held up by three silver columns. The columns, shaped as stumps and bails, represent the three fundamental aspects of cricket: batting, bowling and fielding, while the globe characterises a cricket ball. It stands 60cm high and weighs approximately 11 kg. The names of the previous winners are engraved on the base of the trophy, with space for a total of twenty inscriptions. The original trophy is kept by the ICC. A replica, which differs only in the inscriptions, is permanently awarded to the winning team. It will be an exciting event to watch, and cheer Australia on to win!

CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE 1 x Risperdal 1ml 60 tabs exp 10/15 $15

13 x Tamsulosin Sandoz SR 400mcg (30 Tabs) $10 each. Exp 06/2016

1 x Naramig 2.5mg 2 tabs exp 11/15 $7

1 x Imojev vaccination $200. Exp 27/11/2016

1 x Actos 45mg 28 tabs exp 03/15 $42

Contact: Day and Night Chemist, Newtown, Ibrahim Edelbi Phone: 02 9557 1376

1 x Reminyl 8mg 28 caps exp 04/15 $32 1 x Clexane 60mg 10x0.6ml P/F syringes exp 09/16 $49

PLACE YOUR FREE CLASSIFIED ADVERT

2 x Actonel 5mg 28 tabs exp 10/15 & 02/17 $25ea 1 x Premia 5 continuous 28 tabs exp 10/15 $21 2 x Stattera 40mg 28 caps exp 07/16 $72ea 2 x Topamax Sprinkle 50mg 60 caps exp 02/16 $20ea

If you would like to place your free classified ad, forward any items for sale to Jess O’Connor. Email: jessica.o’connor@goldx.com.au

Items that are going out of date soon are 50% off (prices as marked): 1 x Revia 50mg 30 tabs exp 01/15 $56

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

1 x Coveram 5mg/10mg 30 tabs exp 01/15 $11 Contact: Texas Pharmacy, Rowan Conn, 28 High Street, Texas QLD 4385, Phone: 07 4653 1367

GLUCOJEL MEANS BUSINESS

AND IT IS MADE IN AUSTRALIA Still in the top ten when it comes to over-the counter pharmacy sales, and in pharmacy only. And that means good business for you. Order from your preferred wholesaler: PRODUCT

API

SYMBION

SIGMA

70gm Glucojel x 36

598410

125946

078675

150gm Glucojel x 36

475254

193380

328179

1kg Glucojel x 6

594326

250937

686055

70gm Black Glucojel x 36

698229

591432

487637

Extra Strong Mints x 24

618934

119105

244210

or contact Gold Cross Products and Services for product enquiries. T 02 6270 8950 F 02 6270 8999 enquiries@goldx.com.au

HEALTH CALENDAR

HEALTH CALENDAR FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

HeartKids National Awareness Month

Clean Up Australia Day

February

1st March

February is the best known as the month of love because of Valentine’s Day. For all HeartKids and their loved ones, it is also “HeartKids Awareness Month”. Childhood Heart Disease (CHD) is one of the most common birth abnormalities and the objective of this month is to raise awareness of this disease and raise vital funds to continue the work of HeartKids in Australia.

Put yourself in the picture in 2015 and join the team to Clean Up Australia on Sunday, 1 March 2015. Since the national event started in 1990 Australians have donated more than 27.2 million hours taking to their streets, bushland, parks and waterways on Clean Up Australia Day, removing an estimated 288,650 tonnes of rubbish from 145,754 sites across the country.

>> www.heartkids.org.au

>> www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

Healthy Weight Week 16 – 22 February

International Women’s Day

AHWW is an initiative of the Dietitians Association of Australia, raising awareness of the importance of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle. Events are held in February each year to help promote this message and encourage people to see an Accredited Practising Dietitian to assist with food, nutrition and lifestyle management.

8th March Each year, the Australian National Committee for UN Women hosts International Women’s Day events across Australia. Taking place in the first week of March, these events are attended by more than 8,000 people each year. >> www.internationalwomensday.com

>> healthyweightweek.com.au

Pancake Day 17th February UnitingCare Pancake Day is about having a great day of fun with friends while supporting local people in need. Funds raised at UnitingCare Pancake Day events help UnitingCare provide practical support to disadvantaged Victorians and Tasmanians, including the homeless, abused and vulnerable children and adults, the frail and aged, families in crisis and those with disabilities. >> www.pancakeday.com.au

International Asperger’s Day 18th February International Asperger’s Day falls on February 18th. This event, which aims to highlight the significance of Asperger syndrome for both society and individuals, also illustrates one of the many challenges to the newcomer trying to understand the autism spectrum. Such a person might reasonably assume that Asperger syndrome is a condition in its own right. Indeed, its diagnostically separable status within the spectrum is currently enshrined in both the DSMIV-TR and ICD-10 diagnostic classification systems. >> www.asperger.asn.au GOLD CROSS PRODUCTS & SERVICES PTY LTD : ITK ISSUE 40 : FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

Change Day 11th March 2015 Change day is a people led, accessible and energetic social movement for better health outcomes. Change Day invites you to be changemakers in health, aged care and community services right across Australia. >> changeday.com.au

Harmony Day 21st March Harmony Day 21 March is a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home – from the traditional owners of this land to those who have come from many countries around the world. >> www.harmony.gov.au

Earth Hour 28th March Earth Hour started in 2007 as a lights-off event to raise awareness about climate change. We have grown to engage more than 162 countries and territories worldwide. Earth Hour is on Saturday, 28 March 2015 at 8:30 pm local time. >> www.earthhour.org

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Our TV ADVERTISING draws customers to your store.

Our TRAINING

enables you to give them the best advice.

Our COMMITMENT

to you ensures they come back to you!

THE BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS FOR KIDS ARE NOW FEATURED ON TV! Take advantage of this nation-wide advertising by the probiotic experts to strengthen your health advice in store and help more of your customers’ children! Inner Health for Kids is an exclusive probiotic for children that can be taken every day to help improve their general wellbeing and may be recommended for children taking a course of antibiotics to assist in maintaining their levels of friendly bacteria. For children who get sick often, the probiotic strains in Inner Health Immune Booster for Kids have been clinically shown to reduce the frequency and severity of cold and flu symptoms. Inner Health for Kids and Inner Health Immune Booster for Kids are only available from Pharmacies and Health Food stores, where your customers can receive informed advice; and you can be sure they come back to you, not a nearby supermarket.

ethicalnutrients.com.au BEST PRODUCTS BEST EDUCATION Industry Pulse independent research shows Ethical Nutrients, yet again, Ind BEST SERVICE a as the leading supplier to Pharmacy providing unparalleled service excellence and product training for the 5th consecutive year!

Ethical Nutrients offers professional natural medicine training for all staff in your store in a variety of formats to suit the varied needs of your staff: • Online Learning Modules • In-Store Trainings • Training Evenings • itherapeutics.com.au

IHP3149 - 12/14

YOUR NATURAL BUSINESS PARTNER