Helping you deliver patient-centred care with the latest news and essential information about key products and developments in store.
CPCF - A huge thank you!
We would like to take the time to thank you for the incredible work you have undertaken and the commitment you have shown, and continue to show, to support your customers.
The Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) provided many opportunities to demonstrate the value of Community Pharmacy and the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) continues to be a huge success supporting urgent care and making a positive difference to customers. Please remember it is extremely important that you have the evidence for all four Gateway Criteria and all six Quality Domains collated in your evidence folder.
- Products & updates
- Services Text message service
- Dispensing Columbus compliance
- Interview Columbus converts
FEATURED BRAND
Covonia Medicated Sore Throat Lozenges (P)
Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride; lidocaine hydrochloride
A dual action formula that numbs pain and fights infection.
Covonia Medicated Sore Throat Lozenges combine an antiseptic formula with the pain relieving effect of an anaesthetic. They are for the treatment of sore throat and disorders of the pharynx and mouth accompanied by irritation.
The sugar-free lozenges come in both menthol and lemon flavours. They are suitable for customers with diabetes and coeliac disease, as well as vegans and vegetarians.
The lozenges are not an NSAID, so they can be taken alongside ibuprofen and other NSAIDs. Advise customers not to take this product alongside other similar products.
Directions for use
Allow the lozenge to melt in the mouth slowly.
Adults: Six to 10 lozenges per day.
Children from 12 years: Three to five lozenges per day.
Not suitable for children under 12 years.
Anbesol (P)
Lidocaine hydrochloride; chlorocresol; cetylpyridinium chloride
Anbesol Liquid is the only lidocaine hydrochloride product in a liquid format available in pharmacy. Indicated for use in both babies and adults, it provides targeted oral pain relief from mouth ulcers, teething and denture irritation.
The liquid has a very loyal customer base: 75 per cent of mothers with teething babies who tried Anbesol continue to purchase and use the brand.1
Anbesol Teething Gel is a triple action gel, developed with local anaesthetic for the effective relief of pain for teething infants. It contains antiseptic ingredients to help protect against infection. Also indicated for use in adults.
Advise customers to read the product packaging for full directions for use.
Reference: 1. Mums View 2017.
Aloclair Plus
Aloclair Plus provides fast pain relief and healing from mouth ulcers. Its unique formulation creates a protective barrier on the affected area, with PVP, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.
Triple action:
- Fast acting
- Pain relief
- Speeds up healing
The gentle formula is safe to use during pregnancy and in babies from two months. Available in handy spray and mouthwash formats.
Directions for use:
Spray: Spray three times or as needed to cover the affected area. No need to use fingers. Mouthwash: Rinse 10mls around the mouth for at least one minute to quickly coat multiple lesions.
Use three to four times a day or as needed.
See product packaging for full directions for use.
FRONTLINE® Spot On
FRONTLINE Spot On - original vet-strength flea and tick protection for cats and dogs.
Kills fleas within 24 hours.
Kills ticks within 48 hours, before they are fully fed, helping to minimise the risk of disease transmission.
This product is available for cats and in a range of sizes for dogs of different weights.
Directions for use: Part the fur at the base of the neck and apply directly onto the skin in two spots 2-3cm apart. Use monthly on all cats and dogs in the household for continuous flea and tick protection. Read product packaging for full instructions.
The product can be used in dogs at least eight weeks of age and 2kg, and cats at least eight weeks of age and 1kg. It can be used during pregnancy and lactation.
FRONTLINE® Spot On contains fipronil. UK: AVM-GSL. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd, RG12 8YS, UK. FRONTLINE® is a registered trademark of the Boehringer Ingelheim Group. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: Feb 2020. UI-PHC-0040-2020. Use Medicines Responsibly.
Vype ePen 3
Voted Product of the Year 2019,*Vype ePen 3 brings power and convenience for a satisfying vaping experience.+
Performance - Containing a powerful system and high performance 650 mAh battery, Vype ePen 3 provides a rich vapour and intense taste.
Simplicity - Easy to use as customers can switch flavour and nicotine levels almost instantly. Simply click in the pod and it is ready to use straight away.
Design - Comes in six elegant soft-touch colours and has a compact pocket fit design.
Quality - 95 per cent less toxicants? and 0 per cent tar§ without compromising on flavour or satisfaction.
Vype ePen 3 pods are available in different flavours including blended tobacco, crisp mint and dark cherry. All flavours are available in a variety of nicotine strengths: 0mg/ml, 6mg/ml, 12mg/ml and 18mg/ml.
For full usage directions, refer to the product packaging.
* Winner e-cigarette category. Survey 10,399 people by Kantar TNS. + In terms of battery power and nicotine delivery vs all other Vype closed-system devices. ? Comparison of smoke from a 1R6F reference cigarette and vapour from Vype ePen 3, in terms of the 9 harmful components the World Health Organisation recommends to reduce in cigarette smoke. This quality does not necessarily mean this product is less harmful than tobacco products. § By 'no tar', Vype means no tobacco-derived tar. This quality does not necessarily mean this product is less harmful than other tobacco products.
Product information
Product name: Covonia Medicated Sore Throat 5mg/1mg Lozenges Menthol Flavour. Ingredients: Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, lidocaine hydrochloride. Indications: Disinfectant and local painkiller of sore throat and disorders of the pharynx and mouth accompanied by irritation. Legal classification: P. Information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contraindications and method of use can be found at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9559/smpc
Product name: Covonia Medicated Sore Throat 5mg/1mg Lozenges Lemon Flavour. Ingredients: Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, lidocaine hydrochloride. Indications: Disinfectant and local painkiller of sore throat and disorders of the pharynx and mouth accompanied by irritation. Legal classification: P. Information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contraindications and method of use can be found at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9558/smpc
Anbesol Liquid (lidocaine hydrochloride 0.9% w/w, chlorocresol 0.1% w/w, cetylpyridinium chloride 0.02% w/w). Indication: Adults, the elderly and children: For the temporary relief of pain caused by recurrent mouth ulcers, denture irritation. In children from 5 months: For relief of pain and discomfort associated with teething where non-pharmacological treatments have failed to provide sufficient relief. Legal Classification: P. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited, Avonbridge House, Bath Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2BB, UK. Information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contraindications and method of use can be found at https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1305/smpc
Anbesol Teething Gel (lidocaine hydrochloride 1.0% w/w, chlorocresol 0.1% w/w, cetylpyridinium chloride 0.02% w/w). Indication: For relief of pain and discomfort associated with teething in children from 5 months of age, where non-pharmacological treatments have failed to provide sufficient relief. For the temporary relief of pain caused by recurrent mouth ulcers and denture irritation. Legal Classification: P. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited, Avonbridge House, Bath Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2BB, UK. Information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contraindications and method of use can be found at https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1306/smpc. Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/. Adverse events should also be reported to Alliance Pharmaceuticals at pharmacovigilance@alliancepharma.co.uk. Date of preparation: January 2020.
SERVICES
Text Message Service
Text messaging helps keep patients up to date with when their prescription is ready, potentially saving wasted trips or phone calls to the pharmacy. It also reduces the time you and your team spend dealing with patients asking if their prescription is ready.
In areas where the Free Repeat Prescription Service (FRPS) has been removed, text messaging can help to replicate some of the benefits of this service, especially with the automated reminder functionality that is coming soon. This will enable automatic text reminders to be sent to patients based on when they collect their prescriptions.
It can also help you to manage walk-in patients. When a patient drops their prescription off, you can offer them the ready to collect (RTC) text so they can call back later.
Benefits for stores:
- Helps maintain a clear retrieval system
- Send messages in real time with Scan to Text. No need to use texting laminates or print extra bag labels
- Helps with management of walk-in patients
- Can send messages about prescriptions that are awaiting collection or owed items.
Benefits for patients:
- The RTC text is sent in real time so they will know when their prescription is ready
- Real-time texts will increase patient confidence in the service
- Offers convenience as patients can drop off their prescription and receive a text when it's ready
- Order reminder texts prompt the patient before their prescription is due so they don't forget to order it.
DISPENSING
Columbus compliance
Columbus improves patient safety and drives workload efficiency. There are three key areas of Columbus compliance: Exception Counts, Booking In Stock and Due Date/Due Now data entry.
All three areas have an impact on an accurate stock file, but Exception Counts need to be focused on the most.
Exception Counts are generated when an action is taken in Columbus that challenges the stock figure. Exception Counts identify stock file inaccuracies so these can be addressed.
Booking In Stock correctly and within 30 minutes of receiving a delivery helps to maintain an accurate stock file. This reduces exception counts and ensures the right stock is in the right place at the right time.
Due Date/Due Now data entry can be used to triage prescriptions, helping to manage workload and ensure the correct stock is available for prescriptions.
Due Now screen - use for prescriptions required on the same day (e.g. antibiotics, walk-ins, acute requests).
Due Date screen - use for prescriptions that are not required that day (e.g. Free Repeat Prescription Service, Prescription Collection Service, next day call backs).
Benefits of an accurate stock file:
- Ensures only the needed amount of stock is sent to store
- Reduces owings, meaning fewer patients have to return to collect outstanding medication
- Reduces patients deciding to take prescriptions elsewhere due to not having stock available.
For further support, visit the Columbus dashboard found on Business Objects (MI6045) and the Leading For Guides on BootsLive.
Interview: Claire Earrye & Abby Maud
Columbus converts
Talking to Claire Earrye, Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) and Store Manager, and Abby Maud, Pharmacist, at Boots Broomhill about how Columbus has changed the way their business runs and their top tips for using it successfully.
What is your pharmacy business like?
We have quite a high student population, which means the business has peaks and troughs that coincide with term times. We also have lots of loyal elderly customers. The store averages about 1,200 items from walk-ins and the Free Repeat Prescription Service, and the business is growing. In the team we have two dispensers, a pharmacist and an ACPT store manager.
When did you get Columbus?
We were one of the first stores to get Columbus as we were part of the trial. We have been working with it since the end of 2018.
What benefits have you seen from Columbus?
The most significant benefit is patient safety. If everyone is using the SOPs correctly, the system eradicates picking errors. Initially, things took longer to do, as you have to get used to new ways of working and re-learn the process. Now that we are used to the system, it's as fast, if not faster.
At first, there were issues with stock management, but these have been ironed out now. Columbus helps with our patient care; we enter monthly prescriptions as Due Date when we receive them, ensuring the stock comes in and is ready for our patients while keeping our stock file accurate. Our stockholding has gone down and so have owings (if you ignore manufacturers' out-of-stocks!). Generally, the only owings we get are for new patients and new, unusual items.
How do you keep your scorecard green?
It's important to set up a model day that works for your store, taking into account the business and delivery times. However, don't be afraid to tweak it to allow for late deliveries and other issues. Make sure you communicate as a team and ensure that all prescriptions that are not acute are entered as Due Date to maintain an accurate stock file.
Exception Counts are really important - just like in the retail store, if you don't have the correct theoretical stock figure, you won't get the correct stock. We do ours at the end of the day before we send the order. Also, if there is a gap or we have a split box, we will do a manual count (create an Exception Count). This accounts for any deliveries that are incomplete and really keeps owings down.
What would be your top tip for making Columbus a success?
Make sure you follow the processes as closely as you can. It's important to ensure that all staff understand why the processes are as they are and how important it is to follow them correctly.
Would you go back to SmartScript?
No - now that Columbus is embedded it saves us time and improves patient safety!
For more information on Columbus, refer to the Columbus compliance article in this issue of InStore.
