Around 21 million people in the UK are affected by allergy, and by 2021, allergy is predicted to affect more than 50 per cent of Europeans.

For this session, use the allergy and hayfever article, as well as other sources of information, to strengthen your knowledge about these health issues. This will give you more insight and information to pass on to your customers. You can use information sources you may have in the pharmacy, such as other articles, OTC medicines guides and manufacturers’ literature (e.g. on oral antihistamines, eye and nasal products) or websites (e.g. NHS Choices).

Magazines and newspapers often have articles about allergies and there is significant misinformation on this topic. Look out for media reports and think about what your customers may be reading. Is it evidence-based?

Take time to talk to customers who suffer from allergies, including hayfever. Perhaps one or more of the pharmacy team suffers from an allergy.

How does having an allergy affect a person’s daily living? What do they have to avoid? Maybe pollen, food or drink, or certain cosmetics? For further inspiration, visit the websites listed in the “information sources” section.

Those who are leading the training will find accompanying learning prompts and teaching notes here.