As the seasons change, so will the type of advice and product recommendations that pharmacy teams offer to customers to help them get through the winter months unscathed

The festive frivolities are a distant memory, temperatures are dropping and the prospect of succumbing to winter viruses is undoubtedly playing on everyone’s minds. But the health outlook at this time of year doesn’t need to be so bleak. Self care tips and product recommendations from the pharmacy team can help customers keep their immune system in shape, ward off bugs and manage bothersome symptoms should they eventually strike.

The most vulnerable

As well as supporting customers with preventing and managing minor ailments such as coughs, colds and sore throats, it’s important to look at the bigger picture at this time of year. When the temperature drops to below 8°C (46.4°F), some people are at increased risk of conditions such as heart attack, stroke, flu, pneumonia, falls and injuries and hypothermia. Very cold weather can affect anyone, but people are most vulnerable if they:

• Are 65 or older
• Are on a low income and so can’t afford heating
• Have a long-term health condition, such as heart, lung or kidney disease
• Are disabled
• Are pregnant
• Are young children (newborn to school age)
• Have a mental health condition.

If cold weather is forecast, it’s important to encourage vulnerable customers to take extra precautionary measures, such as checking if extra care is available, making sure they have suffi cient stocks of food and medicines so they don’t need to go out if the weather gets particularly bad, and ensuring their home is properly heated. For those who have limited mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease, their home should be heated to at least 18°C (65°F).

Product updates

While health problems such as colds, coughs and infections are active all year round, customers are more vulnerable to them at this time of year. One way to help customers support the body’s natural immunity, help prevent initial infection and reduce the need for antibiotics is with regular consumption of a live bacteria supplement with multiple strains, says ADM Protexin. Bio-Kult is a scientifi cally developed, advanced multi-strain formulation containing 14 live bacterial cultures, proven to survive the high acidity of the stomach, the company adds.
ADM Protexin: 01460 243230

New this winter from Care is Care Cold & Flu Relief 200mg/5mg Film Coated Tablets. It is indicated for the relief of cold and flu symptoms such as congestion, aches and pains, sore throat, blocked nose and sinus pain, says manufacturer Thornton & Ross. Each tablet contains 200mg of ibuprofen and 5mg of phenylephrine hydrochloride and the product is suitable for adults, the elderly and children over 12 years.
Thornton & Ross: 01484 842217

Harnessing the power of nature with essential oils, Puressentiel’s respiratory products contain essential oils such as eucalyptus radiata, ravintsara and thyme. The range includes Hypertonic Nasal Spray to clean and quickly decongest, Respiratory Balm to calm coughs and soothe the respiratory tract, Respiratory Air Spray to boost the immune system and clear the airways and Respiratory Blend, which has soothing properties to help breathing, explains the company. All Puressentiel products have undergone extensive research and testing and use ingredients that are clinically proven to be effective, the company adds.
Puressentiel: 020 3488 8111

The winter season brings with it coughs, colds and flu, with many accompanied by a sore throat. Ultra Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray delivers the powerful anaesthetic benzocaine straight to the site of pain for numbing relief in seconds, without numbing the rest of the mouth, says manufacturer Prestige Brands. Ultra Chloraseptic is available in a pocket-friendly 15ml spray and has a variety of fl avours for customers to choose from: blackcurrant, cherry, honey and lemon and original menthol.
Ceuta Healthcare: 0844 243 6661

The healthout look at this time of year doesn’t need to be so bleak