The Minster Practice, Lichfield

Pharmacists & medicines

Internet Pharmacy Services

Fake drugs, some without active ingredients, are readily available online so take care. A UK suffix to the website or email address is no guarantee of UK regulation.

Some companies are definitely contracted to the NHS and these include www.boots.com and www.pharmacy2u.co.uk
Both handle private and NHS prescriptions with a delivery service.

Side effects of medicines

The patient information leaflet is controlled by a European guideline which recommends describing side effects under 5 categories very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000), rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000), uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100), common (may affect more than 1 in 100) or very common (may affect more than 1 in 10).

A study in the Lancet (Lancet 2002;359:853-4) showed that patients overestimated the likelihood of side effects which could affect compliance if medication is wrongly seen as having unacceptable side effects. The following table shows the official percentage for each category along with the percentage frequency expected by patients:

	Actual incidence	Patient estimated risk
Very rare	<0.01%	4%
Rare	0.01-0.1%	8%
Uncommon	0.1-1%	18%
Common	1-10%	45%
Very common	>10%	65%

Ask about medicines week 1st - 6th November 2004

A joint venture between doctor & patient bodies, voluntary organisations and the pharmaceutical industry, backed by the Department of Health. During the week, two new medicines guides on the internet will be launched to give comprehensive and impartial information.

It has long been known that the information leaflets accompanying medicines, as required by European law, can be alarming as it is also a legal requirement to list all known side effects. 30% of people are so put off by the leaflets that they never read them. The information should be presented in a clear and relevant way and the Consumers Association is seeking a change to the European law responsible for the current situation. Helping patients achieve a balanced view is one of the aims of the week.

Check out www.askaboutmedicines.org and www.medicines.org.uk

Your pharmacist is geared up to answer questions about your current medicines.

	What does this medicine do?
	How long will I need to use it?
	How and when should I take it?
	Should I avoid any other medicines, foods or activities when I am taking this medication?
	What are the possible risks and side effects - and what should I do if they happen to me?

Pharmacist rota locally for 2004/05

Every Sunday from 10am to 4pm Tesco Church Street Lichfield except as listed below.

PHARMACY ROTA FOR LICHFIELD

April 2004 to April 2005

Rota Times - 12 noon – 1.00pm

Pharmacies on the ROTA

CODE NAME

A S P Bullock, Main Street, Whittington. Tel. 01543 432456

B National Co-op, Boley Park, Lichfield. Tel. 01543 258370

C Moss Pharmacy, 64 Dimbles Lane, Lichfield. Tel. 01543 417365

D Shenstone Pharmacy, 33b Main Street, Shenstone. Tel. 01543 481319

E Tesco Pharmacy, Church Street, Lichfield. Tel. 01543 517449

TESCO PHARMACY, CHURCH STREET, LICHFIELD
Will be open every Sunday, and selected bank holidays from 10.00am – 4.00pm

PUBLIC HOLIDAY ROTA FOR LICHFIELD
2004	Good Friday	09/04/04	E
	Easter Sunday	11/04/04	A
	Easter Monday	12/04/04	E
	May Day	03/05/04	E
	Spring Bank Holiday	31/05/04	E
	August Bank Holiday	30/08/04	E
	Christmas Day	25/12/04	D
	Boxing Day	26/12/04	B
	Christmas Day Bank Holiday	27/12/04	E
	Boxing Day Bank Holiday	28/12/04	E
	New Year’s Day	01/01/05	C
	New Year’s Day Bank Holiday	03/01/05	E
2005	Good Friday	25/03/05	To be confirmed
	Easter Sunday	27/03/05	To be confirmed
	Easter Monday	28/03/05	To be confirmed

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Homepage last modified: August 25, 2008.