Extra care is necessary when taking several different medicines. This is particularly true for patients with visual or cognitive impairment.

Blister packs make it simple and easy to take the right medicines at the right time by dividing your tablets into separately sectioned blisters, each marked with the time of day when the tablets should be taken.

This can improve your medication adherence and reduce errors. Caregivers can also easily check that the right medicines have been taken in a timely manner.

Blister packs can help if you are

• Struggling to organise medicines.
• Finding it difficult to remember when to take your medicines.
• Helping to look after someone else.
• Recently home from hospital and suddenly have a lot more tablets to take.
• Looking after someone who is visually impaired.
• On a complex medication regime.

A blood pressure check is a simple, quick, and non-invasive procedure to measure the force of blood against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. It involves placing an inflatable cuff around your upper arm, which is then tightened and slowly released while a device measures your systolic (pressure when the heart beats) and diastolic (pressure when the heart rests) blood pressure.

Why You Should Get a Blood Pressure Check

1. Early Detection of Hypertension: Regular checks can identify high blood pressure (hypertension) early, a condition often without symptoms but a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
2. Prevention of Serious Health Issues: Monitoring blood pressure helps prevent complications like heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and vision loss.
3. Monitoring Existing Conditions: If you have conditions like hypertension or heart disease, regular checks help manage and adjust treatment plans effectively.
4. Assessing Treatment Efficacy: For those on blood pressure medications, regular checks ensure the treatment is working as intended.
5. Overall Health Awareness: Knowing your blood pressure helps you stay informed about your cardiovascular health and take proactive steps in maintaining it.
6. Lifestyle Adjustments: Regular monitoring can motivate healthier lifestyle choices, such as improved diet, increased physical activity, and stress management.

Regular blood pressure checks are a crucial part of maintaining good health and preventing long-term health issues.

A person’s BMI, or body mass index, is one way of measuring whether you are a healthy weight for your height. Body Mass Index is calculated using a person’s weight in kilograms (kg) divided by the square of height in meters (m2).

Initially used as a statistical index of health and weight for a population group, BMI can be used to show the weight categories that may lead to health problems but it is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. Nonetheless, your BMI is a good indication of whether you are a healthy weight, and if not, how over or underweight you are.

BMI	Classification
Less than 18.5	Underweight
18.5 - 24.9	Normal Weight
25 - 29.9	Overweight
Over 30	Obese

Obesity is currently a worldwide problem, with overweight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) estimated at 35% and 12% of the overall adult population, respectively.

We can assist with weight loss steps by evaluating potential obesity-related diseases; obtaining a weight history, identifying patient triggers and screening for medications that may influence weight gain. Plus, we can evaluate and track weight and height in calculating your body mass index (BMI).

Our Corporate Flu Vaccination Program offers numerous advantages for your business,  aiming to enhance employee health and workplace productivity.  By providing convenient access to flu vaccinations, either on-site at your business location or in our pharmacy, we help reduce absenteeism due to illness and prevent the spread of the flu among your staff.  This program ensures your employees are protected during flu season, leading to fewer sick days and maintaining a healthier workforce. Administered by our trained healthcare professionals, the program is designed to be efficient and flexible, accommodating your company's schedule and needs. Investing in our Corporate Flu Vaccination Programme demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being and can contribute to a more resilient and thriving workplace.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are strongly recommended to protect people from serious illness caused by COVID-19 (coronavirus).  People are being administered adapted booster vaccines. Adapted vaccines are bivalent and contain mRNA based on the spike protein of the ancestral virus, as in the original vaccine, as well as mRNA based on the spike protein of the variant strain. As such they are adapted to better match circulating variants and are expected to give broader protection against different variants, although their impact on future variants is unpredictable From late 2023 onwards, the HSE has adopting a seasonal approach to COVID vaccines offering  COVID booster vaccines in autumn 2023 followed by a spring 2024 campaign.  Cohorts and priorities change frequently, but generally the HSE prioritises older people, those living in long-term care facilities or those aged 5 years and older with immunocompromise associated with a suboptimal response to vaccination.  

Emergency Hormonal Contraception also known as the "morning after pill", is a tablet that you take after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. It can also be used if regular contraception has failed or you are worried that your regular contraception may not have been used or taken correctly. If you think you may need emergency contraception it is always important to act quickly and consult your pharmacist for advice. It is important to note that it is most effective when taken as close as possible to the event. The morning after pill is available to you directly from your local pharmacy, without a prescription for those over 17 years of age, subject to meeting certain criteria. The emergency contraception service is available free of charge to medical card holders when a valid card is presented and to persons aged 17-35 with a PPS number. For other customers, a fee will be charged, depending on the outcome of the consultation and the type of emergency contraception supplied Emergency Hormonal Contraception may not be suitable if:

• Too much time has passed since the unprotected sex for the medicine to be effective (max time is 120 hours)
• You may be taking other medications or have certain medical conditions that make it unsafe for you to use emergency contraception
• Allergies to any of the ingredients in the medication
• You have already taken an emergency contraceptive pill within this cycle.
• Your last period was irregular in some way

  Our pharmacists will determine if the morning after pill is suitable for you. If for any reason the pill is not suitable, there may be further options available. Our pharmacists are trained to be able to direct you to the correct source for help or support. Morning after pills are not 100% effective. This is because there is a chance that you may have already ovulated when you take an emergency contraceptive pill. Taking emergency contraceptive pills as soon as possible after unprotected sex gives the best chance of success. It should be noted that the morning after pill cannot protect against a sexually transmitted infection. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about STI’s or visit www.thinkcontraception.ie for more information.

Seasonal flu or influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by flu viruses which circulate in all parts of the world.

Seasonal flu symptoms include a high temperature, a severe (usually dry) cough, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, sore throat, and a runny nose. A person with the flu will also feel extremely unwell.

Most people recover from the symptoms within a week or two without requiring medical attention. But flu can cause severe illness or death especially in people at high risk (see below).

Illnesses range from mild to severe and even death. Hospitalisation and death occur mainly among high risk groups.

The most effective way to prevent the flu is get vaccinated. An annual vaccination is recommended as immunity decreases over time. The flu vaccine can be administered as an injection or using an intra-nasal spray.

While everyone should consider getting a flu vaccine, it is especially important that the following groups get vaccinated:

• Persons aged 65 years and older.
• Persons with a chronic illness requiring regular follow up, e.g. chronic respiratory disease (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma and bronchopulmonary dysplasia), chronic heart disease (including acute coronary syndrome), chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, haemoglobinopathies, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease (including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system).
• Those who are immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment including those with missing or non-functioning spleens.
• All cancer patients.
• Patients with any condition that can compromise respiratory function, e.g. spinal cord injury, seizure disorder or other neuromuscular disorder.
• Persons with Down syndrome.
• Those with morbid obesity, i.e. body mass index over 40.
• All pregnant women (vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy).
• Healthcare workers.
• Household contacts of at-risk persons.
• Out-of-home care givers to at-risk persons.
• Residents of nursing homes and other long stay institutions.
• Carers.
• People with regular contact with pigs, poultry, or waterfowl.

We offer a home delivery services and are especially conscious of our vulnerable patients. Delivery is perfect for patients who have difficulty coming into the store for their medicines due to tight schedules, illness, or other reasons.

Nutrients are substances that are essential for good health - promoting energy, providing building blocks to form body structures, and helping to regulate body functions.

Protein, carbohydrate, and fat are classified as macronutrients providing energy to fuel the body plus protein is broken down into amino acids to repair and grow new muscle fibres.

Minerals and vitamins are classified as micronutrients and play a key role in the body's structures and functions.

The Irish government and the HSE publish detailed nutritional guidelines comprising a few key points:

• Eat more vegetables, salad, and fruit - Up to seven servings a day.
• Limit your intake of high fat, sugar, salt (HFSS) food and drinks.
• Reduce portion sizes and use the food pyramid as a guide.
• Increase your physical activity.

For many people, following a balanced and healthy diet coupled with exercise, will provide all the nutritional needs of your body.

However, nutritional needs vary with age, activity, and medication - particularly the long-term use of medications.

With age the lean body mass naturally reduces and there is an increase in body fat. This generally results in reduced mobility and subsequent risk of osteoporosis and falls.

It also reduces the metabolic rate causing the body's energy requirements to fall which may in turn may lessen your appetite. The reduced intake of foods may also decrease your micronutrient intake (for example vitamins).

Certain medications are well known for causing side effects such as nausea or drowsiness affecting nutritional intake, but sometimes a lesser known side effect happens without giving you any warning: nutrient deficiency.

Most medications for a short amount of time will not lead to nutrient deficiency.

But long-term use can be different - reducing the absorption of certain vitamins or depleting minerals in the body or even inhibiting the production of important enzymes.

Even commonly used medications like some statins, PPIs (for acid reflux) and diuretics (lower blood pressure) etc taken for long periods can lead to nutrient deficiency.

If you feel any of the above apply to you, we can complete a review of your medications and diet to provide guidance on what nutritional supplements would benefit you.

The school flu vaccination program is a HSE initiative designed to provide the nasal flu vaccine administered by pharmacies directly within the school setting.  By offering flu vaccines at school, the programme significantly reduces the risk of flu outbreaks among students and staff, helping to curb the spread of the virus. Furthermore, vaccinating a large number of students contributes to herd immunity, which helps protect those who are unable to be vaccinated, such as younger siblings, elderly family members, or individuals with certain health conditions. Vaccinations are administered on-site in the school, which makes it easier for students to receive the nasal flu vaccine without needing separate medical appointments. This convenience encourages higher participation rates.  Our pharmacy’s school flu vaccination programme alleviates the need for parents to take time off work or complete paperwork, because our pharmacy uses the Refill Assistant booking system to enable parents to complete a medical intake form and provide consent online.  This streamlines the process and making it easier for families to ensure their children are vaccinated.

Shingles pain is often described as burning or stabbing pain in the area of the rash which can be constant or intermittent. The level of pain experienced, and duration of pain varies from person to person. It usually is most severe in first couple of days and then subsides in max 2-4 weeks. However, for some people they can experience long-term nerve pain after the rash has healed. This is known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) and can last weeks, months or in some even years.  The older you are, the higher the chance you have of developing PHN after shingles. Getting the vaccine not only helps reduce your risk of developing shingles, but can lessen the severity and duration of any symptoms, as well as reducing greatly your risk of developing PHN. Zostavax and Shingrix are vaccines used to prevent shingles (herpes zoster), a painful skin rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. If you've had chickenpox, the virus can reactivate years later as shingles. Here’s why you might choose to use either Zostavax or Shingrix:  

Shingrix	Zostavax
1. Effectiveness: Shingrix is more effective than Zostavax in preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the long-term pain that can follow a shingles outbreak. Studies show that Shingrix is about 97% effective in adults aged 50 to 69 and about 91% effective in those aged 70 and older.	1. Effectiveness: Zostavax is about 51% effective in preventing shingles and around 67% effective in preventing PHN. Its effectiveness decreases with age, offering less protection for older adults.
2. Duration of Protection: The protection from Shingrix lasts longer than that from Zostavax. Shingrix maintains its effectiveness for at least four years after vaccination.	2. Duration of Protection: The protection from Zostavax diminishes over time, typically lasting about five years.
3. Composition: Shingrix is a non-live, recombinant vaccine with an adjuvant to boost the immune response. This makes it safe for people with weakened immune systems, unlike Zostavax, which is a live-attenuated vaccine.	3. Composition: Zostavax is a live-attenuated vaccine, which means it contains a weakened form of the virus. This type of vaccine may not be suitable for individuals with compromised immune systems.
4. Recommendation: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Shingrix for healthy adults aged 50 and older, as well as for adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems due to disease or therapy.	4. Recommendation: Zostavax may be recommended for adults aged 60 and older if Shingrix is unavailable or if they are allergic to components of Shingrix.

Summary

• Shingrix is generally preferred due to its higher effectiveness, longer duration of protection, and suitability for individuals with weakened immune systems.
• Zostavax may still be used in certain situations, especially if Shingrix is not available or appropriate for the individual.

Consult with your pharmacist to determine which vaccine is best for your specific health needs and circumstances.   Shingrix

1. Effectiveness:

• Shingrix is more effective than Zostavax in preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the long-term pain that can follow a shingles outbreak. Studies show that Shingrix is about 97% effective in adults aged 50 to 69 and about 91% effective in those aged 70 and older.

2. Duration of Protection:

• The protection from Shingrix lasts longer than that from Zostavax. Shingrix maintains its effectiveness for at least four years after vaccination.

3. Composition:

• Shingrix is a non-live, recombinant vaccine with an adjuvant to boost the immune response. This makes it safe for people with weakened immune systems, unlike Zostavax, which is a live-attenuated vaccine.

4. Recommendation:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Shingrix for healthy adults aged 50 and older, as well as for adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems due to disease or therapy.

Zostavax

1. Effectiveness:

• Zostavax is about 51% effective in preventing shingles and around 67% effective in preventing PHN. Its effectiveness decreases with age, offering less protection for older adults.

2. Duration of Protection:

• The protection from Zostavax diminishes over time, typically lasting about five years.

3. Composition:

• Zostavax is a live-attenuated vaccine, which means it contains a weakened form of the virus. This type of vaccine may not be suitable for individuals with compromised immune systems.

4. Recommendation:

• Zostavax may be recommended for adults aged 60 and older if Shingrix is unavailable or if they are allergic to components of Shingrix.

Summary

• Shingrix is generally preferred due to its higher effectiveness, longer duration of protection, and suitability for individuals with weakened immune systems.
• Zostavax may still be used in certain situations, especially if Shingrix is not available or appropriate for the individual.

Consult with your pharmacist to determine which vaccine is best for your specific health needs and circumstances.

Methadone is a Schedule 2 controlled substance which is used in the treatment of opioid addiction as substitution or maintenance therapy. The service is provided within a broader treatment protocol, accompanied by regular reviews and reassessment.

We ensure that patients using our service have all information and advice necessary for the proper use of the drug. This includes general information about methadone, directions of use, common side effects, actions to be taken if a dose is missed, and interactions with alcohol and other drugs.

The ingestion of methadone occurs in our private consultation room and is supervised by a pharmacist.

Viagra Connect offers a convenient and accessible option for men with ED, providing an effective treatment that does not require a prescription in certain regions. It works by enhancing blood flow to the penis, helping to achieve and maintain an erection. However, it is essential to use it responsibly, be aware of potential side effects, and consult with a healthcare professional if there are any health concerns or questions about its use.

Viagra Connect contains 50mg of the active ingredient sildenafil.  Sildenafil relaxes blood vessels to help increase blood flow to the penis helping a man get and maintain an erection. It will not give you an instant erection, requires sexual arousal and can take between 30 minutes to an hour to work.

Viagra Connect is not suitable for men under 18, those who do not have erectile dysfunction, men with specific health issues, men taking certain medications, or women.

Viagra Connect is for men aged 18 or over who have erectile dysfunction symptoms. It’s for men who are fit enough to have sex, but unable to get or maintain an erection hard enough for sexual intercourse. During your consultation, we will check if Viagra Connect is suitable by asking you a few questions related to your health and any medication you may be taking.