Grey Power June 2016

4
national Greypower mAGAZINE » june 2016
Your community pharmacy is here to help
Tips from The Pharmacy Guild of
New Zealand on how your local
community pharmacy can help you
with your medicines.
Do you understand
what your medicines
are for and
how to take them to get
the best result?
Pharmacists are medicine
experts and are here
to help you understand everything
about your medicines.
Having a good relationship
with your pharmacist
can help you get the most
out of your medicines.
If you have any concerns
or difficulties taking
your medicines it is important
that you discuss this
with your pharmacist.
Most pharmacies have
AGM tribute to Helen Kelly
National Outgoing
President Terry King
moved the following
motion, seconded by
Hutt City Councillor
Barbara Branch and
supported unanimously
by the AGM.
“That the Grey Power
Federation AGM acknowledges
former CTU President
Helen Kelly for her
courage, conviction, compassion
and principles,
and as a person of whom
all New Zealand can be
proud for her unique and
inspirational qualities during
a time of great adversity.”
Five years ago at the
Grey Power Federation
AGM held in Hamilton, it
was agreed a country wide
‘no privatisation’ campaign
would be initiated
by Grey Power.
Led by Grey Power this
eventually became known
as the “Keep Our Assets”
Referendum which attracted
thousands of signatures
New Zealand wide.
At the outset Helen Kelly
offered her support for
the campaign as did other
major organisations, and
Miles Jackson who represented
the Federation
Board at joint meetings
said not only was Helen’s
helping hand beneficial to
Grey Power, but he was
very impressed with her
encouraging manner during
discussions and her
ability to facilitate outcomes.
a private area for patients
to discuss sensitive issues,
feel free to ask to go here if
you would like to maintain
your privacy while talking
to your pharmacist.
Difficulty taking medicines
Losing strength or agility
in your hands can make
it difficult to open bottles,
especially bottles with
child proof caps.
For safety reasons some
medicines are supplied
with a child proof cap.
If you have difficulty
opening these bottles discuss
this with your pharmacist.
They might be able to
make this easier by arranging
a different bottle lid for
you.
It can also sometimes
be difficult to remove
medicines from their foils.
Although some medicines
must remain in their foil
to prevent spoilage, your
pharmacist might be able
to ‘pre-pop’ some pills for
you if you are having difficulty
with this.
Understanding and using
medicines
If you are on a few medicines
it can be difficult to
remember what each is for.
Your pharmacist can
help with this.
Pharmacists have a
good understanding about
what medicines are used
for, how to take them, possible
side effects and interactions.
Your pharmacist is also
able to provide you with
leaflets which contain
much of this information.
Do you know how to use
your eye and ear drops and
inhalers correctly?
If you are unsure about
how to use these medicines,
or would like to
check you are using them
correctly, please talk to
your pharmacist.
To ensure you
are getting
the best care
possible it is
important your
pharmacist and
doctor know
about all the
medicines you
take.
Your pharmacist is
able to demonstrate and
provide information to
help ensure your technique
is correct.
To ensure you are getting
the best care possible
it is important your
pharmacist and doctor
know about all the medicines
you take.
This includes any
prescription, non-prescription
and over-thecounter
medicines, and
any vitamins, minerals
and herbal supplements.
Before starting any new
medicines, especially
those you obtain without
a prescription, discuss
this with your pharmacist
to make sure the
medicine is appropriate
for you.
Remembering to take
medicines
Remembering to take
your medicines at the correct
time can sometimes be
difficult.
Pharmacists can provide
many useful suggestions
to help you remember
to take your medicine, such
as placing your medicine by
your toothbrush, or setting
a reminder alarm.
Pharmacies also sell
weekly dose aids to help
you organise your weekly
medicines, or you might
prefer to request the pharmacy
to do this for you at a
small cost.
Returning medicines
To maintain the quality
of your medicines the pharmacy
regularly monitors
the temperature they are
stored at.
When you take your
medicine home from the
pharmacy pharmacists
cannot ensure they have
been kept at the correct
temperature.
This is one of several
reasons why returned
medicines are not allowed
to be reused. Pharmacists
however, encourage you to
return any medicines you
are no longer taking to the
pharmacy to ensure that
they are safely disposed of.