Archive for the ‘Retail’ Category
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
As Health Secretary Andrew Lansley publishes further details on the NHS White Paper today, Judy Viitanen and the PRimage team had their mid-morning coffee break tuning into Mr Lansley’s live online White Paper Q&A via the Number 10 web site.
With clients in the pharmacy and healthcare sector, PRimage has been keen to know what the NHS Health White Paper would mean for pharmacists. So Judy was delighted and encouraged to hear some really positive comments from the health secretary on the value and potential of community pharmacy.
Andrew Lansley commented:
“Pharmacies are an under-used asset in delivering better health”
“ GPs have too often seen themselves and pharmacists in competition for resources. With GP-led commissioning I believe we will see a greater recognition by local consortia that pharmacy is an integral part and an effective part of how they can deliver services better, for example minor ailments and medicines’ use reviews”
“Through local authorities we will also be delivering local health improvement strategies, they can and should be developing preventative work with pharmacists, like the health check or Chlamydia screening”
“Under the pharmacy contract we had simply not seen the development of those additional services that was intended, we need to ensure that the pharmacy contract delivers what all participants wanted which is fair and transparent funding for dispensing and an increasing opportunity for pharmacy to offer health services”
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Communications, Consumers, Family, Financial, Healthcare, Media, Men's Health, NHS, PRimage press releases, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Retail, Social Issues, Women's Health | No Comments »
Friday, July 9th, 2010
Day Lewis Pharmacy Group – the UK’s largest independent pharmacy multiple - is urging people to keep hydrated, following official weather forecasts of high temperatures and a possible heat wave alert - which could pose health risks. Daytime temperatures could reach 29-30 degrees C, with a night-time minimum of 15-18 degrees C.
While most people enjoy a hot summer, it is important suitable precautions are taken. The heat is especially dangerous for the very young, older people or those with serious illnesses. In particular, it can make heart and respiratory problems worse. In extreme cases, excess heat can lead to heat stroke, which can be fatal.
Peter Glover, Day Lewis Superintendant Pharmacist, comments: “Heat exhaustion can happen to anyone in hot weather and if it isn’t treated it can lead to heatstroke, which can be dangerous and even fatal. To help prevent heat related illnesses during a heat wave, it’s best to stay in the shade wherever possible, and cool yourself down and stay hydrated by having plenty of water to hand, but avoiding caffeine and alcohol.”
Remember that if you must go out into the sun, to wear sun protection and comfortable clothing. It is important we follow the health guidelines, and look after both ourselves and the more vulnerable members of our community to ensure a safe and happy season for everyone.”
Top tips for coping during a heat wave include:
· Keep plenty of water to hand and stay in the shade where possible.
· Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.
· Shut and shade windows when it is hotter outside and open them for ventilation when it is cooler outside.
· People with serious health problems (for example heart conditions), should avoid going out in the heat, especially between 11am and 3pm.
· Drink cold drinks like water or fruit juice regularly and avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.
· Stay tuned to the weather forecast and plan ahead with supplies – think of elderly neighbours who may need help with supplies.
· Identify the coolest room in the house to use as a room to cool down or sleep in.
The symptoms of heat exhaustion include headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness or cramps, pale skin, and a high temperature. If you find yourself suffering from these, you should move somewhere cool and drink plenty of water or fruit juice. If you can, take a lukewarm shower, or sponge yourself down with cold water.
Contact your Day Lewis pharmacist, your doctor, or NHS Direct if you are worried about your health during a heat wave, especially if you are taking medication, if you feel unwell or have any unusual symptoms.
Day Lewis Pharmacies - Caring for our local communities
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Communications, Consumers, Family, Healthcare, Leisure Market, Lifestyles, Men's Health, NHS, PRimage press releases, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Retail, Social Issues, Tourism, Women's Health | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
We’ve just finished listening to the Queen’s Speech. 
Our view: the coalition is taking on an ambitious and challenging political programme! But we wish them success. David Cameron’s Con-Lib government aims to enact 22 separate bills over an 18-month period, as it attempts to build on the early goodwill towards the coalition. Nick Clegg will preside over a range of political reforms, including fixed-term parliaments and a bill to hold a referendum on changing the Westminster voting system to the so-called “alternative vote”.
Our interest as a healthcare communications agency means that we were looking for steers on the NHS. So, particularly important for health was that the voice of patients and the role of doctors in decision-making will be strengthened, with the aim of improving public health as well as reducing health inequalities. A Health Bill is expected to begin its legislative process in 2011. So there are sure to be a number of consultations to respond to - and plenty of opportunities for engagement in the coming months as the content of the Bill is decided. PRimage is looking forward to this - and to factor in our client’s interests and viewpoints.
MD, Judy Viitanen, is pleased that the overall thrust of the programme indicates that both the Tories and LibDems share a common interest in devolving power over public services to local people. We also give a ‘thumbs up’ for the news that the legislative programme include plans to create an Office of Budget Responsibility to produce independent economic forecasts and a shake-up of City regulation, giving the Bank of England greater powers in maintaining economic stability.
As a specialist healthcare public affairs and PR consultant, Judy is reassured that the Treasury has confirmed that the Department of Health’s overall spending will not be reduced in the current financial year. 
The Chancellor has announced £6.2bn would be saved from government spending during 2010-11, but none would come from the DoH. Health will have to make additional efficiency savings but they will be reinvested within the department.
For sure there will be tough and difficult times ahead; but the PM and deputy PM are right to focus on reducing the huge deficit as the most crucial challenge. 
We will be seeing an interesting 18-months of politics ahead ……..
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Sunday, April 18th, 2010
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Posted in Advertising, Blogging, By the way, Communications, Consumers, Financial, Leisure Market, Marketing, Media, Retail, Social Issues | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
PRimage has been looking at the National Audit Office report - The Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework and the Retained Medicines Margin - which examines the financial impact of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework since its inception in April 2005. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/community_pharmacy.aspx
Judy Viitanen has been mulling over the report’s two key findings, which are:
· There has been a cost saving to the NHS of around £1.8 billion over the period 2005-06 to 2008-09 by comparison with a counterfactual scenario of retaining the pre-Framework remuneration and medicines pricing arrangements. The saving has arisen principally because, under the new Framework, the reimbursement prices paid to pharmacies for a number of commonly dispensed medicines have been reduced.
· The productivity of pharmacies, with respect to core dispensing work, has also increased by 8 per cent over the four years 2005-06 to 2008-09. In 2005-06, the total volume of medicines dispensed by pharmacy contractors was 679 million items, and total payments to contractors were £1.975 billion. By 2008-09, the number of items dispensed had increased by 17 per cent, to 795 million, for an increase in total payments of 8 per cent in real terms, to £2.418 billion. In addition, pharmacies are now delivering new services, such as repeat dispensing, health promotion services and support for self care that were not available prior to the Framework.
We are interested to see that the NAO also found that since 2005, the retained margin has been exceeded by £1.1 billion. However, it is recognised by the Department of Health and the NAO that reduced expenditure on pharmacy over this period could have threatened the viability of community pharmacy. They noted that the excess margin is a product of incentives in the system encouraging pharmacy to drive down the purchasing price and due to the limited information available about the cost of pharmacy when the margin was set.
In addition to the current Cost of Service Inquiry, the NAO has made recommendations to the Department of Health, which included that it should:
· Be more timely in making adjustments to reimbursement prices for generic medicines to manage the level of retained margin. We understand that the Department’s intention is to move to a process of rolling invoice surveys, which should facilitate this. However, the Department should also use evidence from other sources, such as average ex-factory prices, to make adjustments if necessary.
· Continue to work with recognised experts in survey design and analysis to maintain and improve the invoice survey. In particular, whilst the response rate has improved considerably since the inception of the Framework, the Department should take steps to ensure high response rates continue in future.
· Present the arrangements for funding the Framework more explicitly. If the Department believes that the target level of margin is likely to be exceeded every year due to the operation of ‘regulatory lag’, this should be made clear, and the implications for expenditure on pharmacy services and medicines should be set out.
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Healthcare, NHS, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Retail | 1 Comment »
Friday, March 19th, 2010
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Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
PRimage read with interest the launch of a new Self Care Campaign by a group of doctors, nurses, patient groups and primary care organisations, which was covered in the news yesterday morning - on Radio 4 Today programme, and The Times. The campaign manifesto claims that the nation’s workforce adults who have minor ailments, like coughs and colds, and overwhelming the NHS. 
It estimates that the NHS could save £10 billion over five years through encouraging increased self-care for minor ailments. The Times article quotes the PAGB’s research on the number of GP appointments for minor ailments.
PRimage, as a specialist healthcare communications consultancy, believes strongly that community pharmacists have a valuable contribution to make in self care. As medicines experts, they are highly qualified to help people manage minor ailments - thus freeing up GPs time to focus on patient’s more serious health problems. What’s more, pharmacies are very accessible, open up to six days a week and you don’t have to make an appointment to get expert advice!
Judy Viitanen has seen research which shows that substantial cost savings could be achieved if all minor ailment consultations were moved into community pharmacies and out of doctors’ surgeries. 
On average it costs £32 for a GP to treat a patient for a minor ailment while a pharmacist can perform the same task for £17.75. The savings to the exchequer could run into billions. Let’s hope that the Government and policy makers take note of this!
Here’s the link to the article in yesterday’s Times:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article7063249.ece
Posted in Alternative therapies, Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Communications, Consumers, Economy, Family, Financial, Healthcare, Marketing, Men's Health, NHS, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Retail, Social Issues, Women's Health | No Comments »
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
The Co-operative Group has raised concerns over proposals which would allow pharmacies to open 100 hours a week. According to the group’s chief executive Peter Marks, the new laws would put immense pressure on local community pharmacies. 
Addressing an audience at the National Business Awards UK event in Manchester, Mr Marks was quoted as saying: “The supermarkets see it as footfall generators. We will lobby against 100 hour pharmacies. You will have a Post Office situation, where Post Offices have closed. Pharmacies will go to that stage if pharmacies are deregulated,” he added.
PRimage notes that supermarkets seem to be strengthening their grip on the pharmacy sector by offering a number of new out-of-hours services to their customers. In the past month alone Tesco introduced free eye tests at its 131 in-store pharmacies, while Asda began selling IVF treatment.
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Healthcare, Men's Health, NHS, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Retail, Women's Health | No Comments »
Monday, July 20th, 2009
PRimage has read news reports of a survey of 100 of the world’s biggest retailers which indicates that they do not expect any recovery in the economy for up to two years, squashing any hopes of green shoots. Two thirds of retailers said they are experiencing difficulties with suppliers, resulting in stock shortages, while almost three quarters were not communicating frequently with their suppliers’ credit insurers. 
The survey also found that store groups are surviving the recession by taking short-term action, such as paying suppliers late, as well as more long-term structural action, including store and warehouse closures and staff cuts.
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Consumers, Economy, Financial, Lifestyles, Marketing, Retail, Social Issues | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
Judy Viitanen has heard that the government will not implement the recommendations of the NHS pay review body on pharmacists’ pay. PRimage believe that the Government’s action is misguided, given that there is currently a 22% vacancy rate among NHS pharmacists across England and Wales. The pharmacists’ pay review body proposed a premium of up to £5,000 a year in order to improve recruitment and retention.
And according to Unite, implementing the body’s recommendations would cost £12m a year. This is just half the £24m a year the NHS spent on locum pharmacists last year. However, health secretary Andy Burnham rejected the proposal. 
He said money was short and the recruitment crisis wasn’t severe enough to justify it! Judy is sure that the various pharmacy representative bodies, such as the CCA, NPA and PSNC have evidence to the contrary. Quite rightly, unions have reacted with fury to the move, which now raises the chance that the government could also ignore rulings from other pay review bodies such as the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB). Watch this space …..
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Employment, Financial, Healthcare, Men's Health, NHS, PRimage press releases, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Retail, Women's Health | No Comments »
