Helping you deliver patient-centred care with the latest news and essential information about key products and developments in store.
New Year's resolutions
As we head into the new year, you are likely to have customers making New Year's resolutions to improve their health. Whether customers are quitting smoking, making a diet change or trying to get more active, you can provide them with advice and support.
Cervical cancer prevention
This year, Cervical Cancer Prevention Week falls on 18-24 January. This week aims to increase awareness of cervical cancer symptoms, emphasise the importance of attending cervical cancer screenings and raise funds for essential research. From organising a fundraising event to the #SmearForSmear social media campaign, there are loads of ways to get involved. To find out more, visit www.jostrust.org.uk
Click the boxes below for product updates and news.
FEATURED BRAND
Vitality CBD Oral Spray
Item code: 85-88-961
All-natural, premium CBD oral spray.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 100 cannabinoids within the hemp plant. It's a naturally occurring substance that, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), does not have any psychotropic effects.
Vitality CBD is committed to research and product development, ensuring they produce the best quality CBD products available.
- No THC
- Non-psychotropic
- Retains other helpful compounds along with CBD, including additional cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes
- Suitable from 18 years.
Directions for use
Shake well before opening. Using the spray nozzle, apply the CBD oil directly beneath the tongue, and hold for at least 90 seconds until fully absorbed. This product is only intended to be taken sublingually (absorbed beneath the tongue).
Recommended dosage: Use approximately seven sprays per day, spread over two to three doses.
1 spray (0.14ml) = 5.6mg CBD
12 sprays = 67.2mg CBD
A variety of CBD concentrations are available. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Vitality recommends using a consistent dosage of CBD for at least a couple of weeks before adjusting the dose.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and Vitality CBD Ltd makes no official medical claims surrounding CBD.
Chloralieve Honey & Lemon Flavour Lozenges (P)
Lidocaine hydrochloride; amylmetacresol; 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol
Item code: 11-66-646
For the relief of symptoms of sore throat.
- Dual action: fights infection and numbs pain
- Pharmacy-only formula
- Antibiotic-free
- Suitable for adults and children over 12 years.
Directions for use: One lozenge every two to three hours.
Always read the leaflet.
To find out more about Chloralieve, complete the training module Sore throat: treatment update on Pharmacy School.
See below for product information.
Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier
Item code: 89-29-033
Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier uses an advanced hypochlorous technology to:
- Soothe and calm the skin on the face and body
- Cleanse and purify the skin
- Balance redness
- Promote rapid skin recovery.
The Clinisoothe+ formula provides antimicrobial protection against environmental stresses, breakouts and skin irritations, without harming, irritating or sensitising the dermal layer. It has a skin neutral pH, is non-toxic and contains no alcohol.
Directions for use: Simply spritz or gently wipe over cleansed skin using a cotton pad. No need to rinse off. Use morning and evening after cleansing for optimum skin health.
Ensure NutriVigor
Item codes: Vanilla: 86-82-569;
Chocolate: 86-82-577
Ensure NutriVigor, an innovative food supplement, is specially formulated to support muscles and energy levels, which can be helpful during recovery and periods of weakness.*+
This product is a powdered nutritional shake with a unique blend of protein, calcium, vitamin D and CaHMB. It can help to build and maintain muscle mass and help combat fatigue during recovery from surgery or illness.+
Ensure NutriVigor is part of the Ensure brand: the world's number one oral nutritional supplement. Available in chocolate and vanilla flavours.
Directions for use: Simply mix with water to create a tasty shake. To prepare, gradually add six level scoops to 195ml of cold water. Stir or shake thoroughly to dissolve the powder.
Date of preparation: September 2020.
UK-ENSN-2000019
Dragonfly CBD Cannabidiol Oil
Item codes: See Boots.com
Premium cannabidiol oil extracted from organically-grown Cannabis Sativa L*‡
- From Dragonfly CBD, one of the UK's leading CBD brands
- Across its range, Dragonfly Biosciences controls the process from seed to shelf to ensure the highest quality
- Dragonfly CBD adheres to all the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and EU guidelines
- The range includes a variety of strengths
- Broad-spectrum oil retains naturally occurring terpenes and plant material for a fuller flavour
- Dragonfly CBD can be taken as part of a daily routine
- Suitable from 18 years.
Directions for use: Using the pipette, administer oil under the tongue. Hold for two minutes to maximise absorption before swallowing. Start with a three drop serving then vary as required. Do not exceed the stated dose.
Name of product and active ingredients:
Chloralieve Honey & Lemon Flavour Lozenges 2mg Lidocaine / 0.6mg Amylmetacresol/ 1.2mg 2,4-Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol. Classification: 'P'.
Indications: Relief of symptoms of sore throat in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age. MAH: Prestige Brands (UK) Ltd, 5-7 London Road, St. Albans, AL1 1LA, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44 (0) 1727 515 310. Information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contra-indications, and method of use can be found at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Medicinesinformation/SPCandPILs/index.htm or from Prestige Brands (UK) Ltd.
Pneumonia Vaccination Service
Pneumonia Vaccination Service
Getting a pneumonia vaccination can help to protect customers against one of the major causes of hospitalisation and death in the UK.
Pneumonia can affect anyone, but some people are at increased risk of catching it. Risk factors include increasing age, smoking, a weakened immune system and having certain medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart disease or respiratory conditions).
The Boots Pneumonia Vaccination Service* provides the opportunity to help protect customers against 13 of the most common strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. The service costs £70 and is a one-off jab giving long-lasting protection.
Certain groups of customers are eligible for the NHS pneumonia vaccination. The NHS vaccine is a different type of vaccination to the one used in the Boots service, so customers may want to consider having both to further increase their protection against pneumonia.
Top tips to drive awareness of the service:
- Identify potential customers and make them aware of the service
- Talk to your local GP surgeries about the benefits of the service; they may be able to signpost suitable patients to Boots stores
- Educate the team and get them involved with engaging customers
- Signpost customers to Boots.com/pneumonia for more information.
* Subject to eligibility criteria, specially trained pharmacist and stock availability. Available in selected stores.
Building GP relationships
Having strong relationships with local GPs is important to running a successful pharmacy. To support you in building your GP relationships, we have produced a range of resources.
GPs want the same thing as pharmacy teams: for patients to get the best possible care. Working together is a big part of making that happen, so building relationships with local GPs is important. Opening the communication and listening to what GPs need from you is a great place to start.
We've created a series of Leading For... Guides to give you the confidence to have the right conversations with GPs. These are currently available to access on BootsLive and Pharmacy Unscripted so you can start building your GP relationships.
Throughout January and February, more resources will be added, including:
- A diagnostic tool to give you insight into the quality of your current GP relationships
- A video to help build confidence when relationship building
- An e-learning module to link everything together.
Keep an eye on your store communications for more information.
INTERVIEW - Lesley White
Clarifying CBD
Lesley White is a pharmacist and Copy Specialist for the Insights and Delivery team in the Chief Pharmacist's Office. Part of her role is to review and approve the non-licensed healthcare and wellness products retailed at Boots, so we've quizzed her on all things CBD.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in the cannabis plant. It's one of over a hundred different compounds known as cannabinoids. The other well-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. CBD itself is not psychoactive, and the CBD extracts used in food supplements are obtained from a variety of cannabis plant with low THC content.
What are medicinal cannabis products?
Since November 2018, doctors on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council have been able to prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) where there is an unmet clinical need. To date, there are only a few licensed CBPMs available in the UK, including Sativex and Epidyolex. Most CBPMs remain unlicensed, requiring more evidence to be gathered for their use.
How are CBD products for oral consumption positioned in store?
These products in our stores are food supplements. As such, they cannot make claims to treat a medical condition and should only be used as part of a healthy balanced diet. Some customers may not understand the difference between CBPMs and CBD food supplements and may think that the latter type of product can be used to relieve or treat their symptoms. There is no definitive evidence base for this and customers should be advised accordingly.
What are Boots' requirements of the CBD products it sells?
All our CBD products undergo a rigorous review to ensure they are suitable for retail by Boots. As part of this, suppliers must provide evidence that testing is carried out on each batch of their product to show it doesn't contain any detectable THC. Boots also requires that CBD products are clearly labelled as suitable for adult use only, not suitable whilst pregnant or breastfeeding and that anyone with a medical condition or taking medication should seek advice from their doctor or pharmacist prior to taking it.
The CBD food supplements sold at Boots are also not permitted to make any direct or implied medicinal claims. Our view is that there is already confusion amongst some of our customers between CBD food supplements and CBPMs and we do not want to add to this.
All our CBD products undergo a rigorous review to ensure they are suitable for retail by Boots.
How should pharmacy colleagues advise customers who are asking about CBD products?
Customers who ask about CBD products and who have a medical condition or are taking medication should be referred to the pharmacist, as should customers who may be looking for a food supplement to relieve or treat symptoms of an illness or condition.
All our CBD products have clear dosage instructions on the pack that customers should be advised to read carefully. Last year, the Food Standards Agency issued guidance that healthy adults are recommended to not take more than 70mg of CBD a day, unless a doctor agrees more. Our suppliers have been busy updating their packs to reflect this guidance.