Company Statement 26.03.2008

Following media reports about the potential danger of parents over-dosing children on some brands of cough and cold remedy, and in response to the new Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidelines issued today on these medicines, Lloydspharmacy has removed two types of cough and cold medication from its shelves.

The two medicines, Buttercup Infant Cough Syrup and CalCough Chesty are identified in the MHRA report as potentially posing a danger to children if they are not administered correctly – i.e. according to the specific instructions of the pharmacist or the instructions provided by the manufacturer on the bottle or in the packaging.

We strongly encourage any customers who are concerned about child medication or cough and cold medication in general to talk to their community pharmacist before administering the product. All Lloydspharmacy pharmacists are trained to advise customers on the correct doses and the suitability of particular medication to their individual condition and general state of health.

Lloydspharmacy is partnering with the HSJ in celebrating 60 years of the founding of the National Health Service.  Lloydspharmacy is delighted to marking the diamond anniversary and will be contributing to the magazine and a special anniversary supplement providing its own vision for the future of pharmacy in primary care.

For more about NHS60 please visit www.hsj.nhs60.co.uk

Lloydspharmacy is delighted to be supporting the NHS Confederation Annual Conference taking place at Manchester Central 18 – 20 June 2008.

In the 60th anniversary of the NHS, the conference is focusing on what is on the horizon for the NHS and what can be done now to respond to future challenges. 

Lloydspharmacy will be exhibiting at the conference; demonstrating how pharmacy can contribute to public health improvement through commissioned targeted services as well as hosting a workshop on healthcare partnerships with Dr Phil Hammond GP and comedian, and Nigel Edwards Director of Policy at the NHS Confederation.

Speakers at the conference include Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health, David Nicholson, Chief Executive of the NHS in England and Dr Ben Goldacre, writer broadcaster and medical doctor.  Chair of the conference is BBC broadcaster author and journalist, Edward Stourton.

For further information about the conference, please visit www.nhsconfed.org/issues/delivering-the-future-today.cfm

Blaze in diabetes awareness drive at home games

Walsgrave based Lloydspharmacy has teamed up with Cassidy Coventry Blaze to offer free diabetes tests at  a Blaze home game.

The drive, to raise awareness of the condition which is undiagnosed in people will take place on Sunday 16th December, when Lloydspharmacy will appear at the club ground with a team of pharmacists to test adult fans for diabetes.

Bmibaby Elite League and Challenge Cup champions, Cassidy Coventry Blaze are keen to help out with such an important community initiative in the city of Coventry.  This is Lloydspharmacy’s latest sponsorship in the local community to drive awareness of in-pharmacy services.

As part of the initiative also available at Lloydspharmacy, Blaze players will also be visiting Lloydspharmacy in Earlsdon (address) on Thursday 13th December for a diabetes and blood pressure test.

Lloydspharmacy FREE healthchecks

Lloydspharmacy have also taken this opportunity to sponsor the junior mascot for each Cassidy Coventry Blaze home game, facilitating a junior ice hockey player to accompany his team onto the ice and be on the bench with them during a home game. They will also be supporting the junior pages in Ignite magazine, the official monthly magazine of the Cassidy Coventry Blaze.

Lloydspharmacy head of marketing, Chris Frost, was delighted to be launching the initiative.

“We’re very proud of being located in Coventry and this gives us an opportunity to give something back to the city that has a real impact on the community. The Blaze is a fantastic way for us to do that, and we’re delighted to be associated with a popular, winning team.”

Cassidy Coventry Blaze marketing manager, Sally Mahers, is also looking forward to seeing the initiative in action,

“This is a great new community programme for the Blaze, as winners of the Contribution to the Community Award from the Coventry Telegraph Business Awards. This programme will raise awareness around health issues and allow easy access to tests within the Skydome Arena itself at games. We’re also delighted to welcome Lloydspharmacy to our family of supporting businesses.”

http://www.coventryblaze.co.uk/

Lloydspharmacy have been working with the ITV show Tonight with Trevor MacDonald on a fascinating documentary to highlight how cholesterol levels are dramatically influenced by lifestyle choices.

The ITV show screened for suitable case studies to take part in the study back in September in Huddersfield. Three suitable case studies were selected and were put through a 6 week programme of healthy eating, reducing their alcohol consumption, cutting down on cigarettes and incorporating more exercise in to their lifestyle. Their cholesterol levels, blood pressure, weight and body mass index were all closely monitored by Lloydspharmacy throughout the programme to establish what impact their new healthy lifestyle had upon their health.

Lloydspharmacy offer a Cholesterol and Heart Check service which allow you to monitor your cholesterol and blood pressure measurements for FREE*. This fantastic 10 minute service is currently delivered in over 100 Lloydspharmacies, for further information please click here.

The full story and results of the three case studies will be shown on ITV on Monday 19th November.

* FREE for a limited time only. Service will be charged at £15 from 28/11/07