LLOYDSPHARMACY CALLS ON THE MAJOR RETAILERS TO STOP SELLING SUNSCREENS WITH AN SPF LOWER THAN 15

Most supermarket and pharmacy chains still sell sunscreens with an SPF (sun protection factor) of below 15 despite pleas from the government and the well publicised opinions of dermatologists and skin care experts for people to only use sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or above when out in the sun.

The advice from the Department of Health is “if you can’t avoid being out in the sun apply sunscreen (factor 15+).”  When applied correctly, sunscreens with an SPF of 15 and above can provide adequate protection against sunburn, skin damage, premature ageing, wrinkling and skin cancers.

With these products so widely available, it’s not surprising that, in a recent survey by Lloydspharmacy, almost half of the population (44 per cent)  admitted to regularly using sunscreens with an SPF of less than 15.
 
“It’s worrying when we see such a large number of people using very low factor sunscreens that just won’t offer sufficient protection.  Lloydspharmacy was the first major retailer to remove all products with an SPF below 15 five years ago. We are amazed that so few others have followed suit and are calling on all retailers to do so."

“This summer, Lloydspharmacy is making it even easier and more cost effective for people to buy sunscreens which offer greater protection. We’ve taken a whopping 60 per cent off the price of our entire Solero sunscreen range. Meaning each product is available for £2.97,” said Andy Murdock, Pharmacy Relations and Governance Director of Lloydspharmacy.

Sun Ignorant Brits Strike Again

New research*** from Lloydspharmacy uncovered that one in five men (19 percent) admit to never using sun cream. This is more than double the figure for the female population (8 per cent).

Despite the well publicised advice of skin experts around 12 million Brits (2 in 5) claim they either never use sun cream or always use sun cream with a factor of less than 15.

Alarmingly, 2.5 million Brits wrongly believe that sunscreens are designed to help people tan safely rather than to block out harmful rays.

While sunscreens is a vital summer purchase, there is still plenty of confusion about how to use it and what kind to use. 

“Experts agree that there is no such thing as a ‘safe tan’ yet millions of people still think that sunscreens can be used to achieve a ‘healthy’ golden glow.”

“This may explain why the incidence of skin cancer in the UK has increased by 300 per cent in the last thirty years,” continued Andy.

Lloydspharmacy has also released images which show which parts of the body are most susceptible to skin melanomas.

Judging by the last two summers, 2009’s weather outlook is bound to be unpredictable.  The concern is that this unpredictability will bring with it unexpected moments of intense sunshine leading many to expose themselves to the sun with no protection to get a quick bit of colour for summer, or ‘panic tanning’.

“Despite years of advice it seems that many people are still ignorant to the dangers posed by the sun’s harmful rays.

“This year we are also putting a call out to parents and carers, who should take special care of children when they are in the sun with them. Ideally, children should be kept out of direct sunlight as their skin has very little skin pigment and is particularly susceptible to burning and long-term damage, this is especially important during the hours of 11am – 3pm when the sun is at its hottest. If, however shade is unavailable, keep children covered up and look for sun cream that have an SPF of at least 30, offer broad spectrum protection and are water resistant,” continued Andy. 

For media enquiries, please contact:
Press Officer
Lloydspharmacy
Tel: 02476 432192
Email: pr@lloydspharmacy.co.uk

JUNE 2009

BRITONS PLAY RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH THE WORLD’S DEADLIEST DISEASE

• UK has seen a 30% increase in cases of the deadliest form of malaria in the last 20 years

Thousands of British holidaymakers are ignoring the need to protect themselves against malaria according to new research (1) carried out by Lloydspharmacy, the UK's leading community pharmacy chain.

This new research may explain the alarming rise in malaria cases in the UK. The Health Protection Agency’s latest study shows that malaria has risen 32% in the last 20 years. Malaria is one of the leading causes of disease and death in the world and it takes only one mosquito bite to catch the disease. It is estimated that there are 300-500 million new cases every year, with 1.5 to 2.7 million deaths worldwide.

According to the survey of more than 1000 people, an estimated 25 per cent of people have travelled to a malaria hotspot in the last five years, with the African continent the most popular of these destinations (11%).

The research found that almost one in five intrepid adventurers (19%) either ignored the risk of malaria, abandoned their medication during the danger period or relied on mosquito repellent, nets or Vitamin B to protect themselves from the potentially deadly disease.  A worrying one in ten travellers (11%) did not even realise that they had travelled to a malarial hotspot.

The research findings are revealed today to mark the launch of Lloydspharmacy’s complete range of anti-malarial medication now available through its Online Doctor at http://onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com

The service has been launched to encourage travellers to stock up on the necessary anti-malarial medication.  It is one of only a few online service of its kind and does not require a visit to a GP. 

The Lloydspharmacy research also found that men were more likely to opt for less effective alternative prevention measures such as mosquito repellent and Vitamin B (9% compared to 5%). 

Chris Frost, Head of Medicines at Lloydspharmacy said “We are far too complacent about the risks of malaria and as a result we have one of the worst track records amongst industrialised countries for bringing this disease home from our holidays.  Our new online service aims to encourage holidaymakers to protect themselves by making it as easy as possible to access the necessary medication.

“Unfortunately all it takes is just one bite from an infected mosquito to contract malaria and it can be deadly if not treated.  However, buying the medication isn’t enough - it will do little to protect travellers unless they follow the instructions carefully.”

Malaria facts and figures
• Every year around 2000 British travellers return home with malaria
• The UK is one of the biggest importers of the disease amongst industrialized countries
• In the last ten years there has been a 190% increase amongst British travellers to malarial destinations
• An average of nine people die from malaria in the UK every year
• The most severe form of malaria (Plasmodium Falciparum) is on the increase amongst British travelers

For media enquiries, please contact:
Press Officer
Lloydspharmacy
Tel: 02476 432192
Email: pr@lloydspharmacy.co.uk

JUNE 2009

HAYFEVER MISERY TO HIT ONE IN TWO PEOPLE BY 2060

  - North Scotland comes out tops as best place to live to escape high pollen count –
- The clinically proven, drug-free Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever provides solution for effective treatment -

Startling new images released today by Lloydspharmacy show how the UK’s hayfever time bomb is set to explode within the coming years.(1)  Currently, the condition affects around a quarter of the UK population, one of the highest prevalence rates for hayfever in the world.  By 2040, up to 28 million  people will have hayfever due to severe pollen seasons caused by climate change. (1,2)   

City-dwellers will be worst affected by hayfever as warmer summers will intensify air pollution which affects the respiratory tract and allergenicity of pollens.  In fifty years time, it is likely that almost three quarters of the population of London will be affected by hayfever whilst almost half of the population of East Anglia, including Cambridge and Norwich, will have hayfever by 2040.  North Scotland has been deemed the best place to live for people who want to avoid hayfever with only a third of the population forecasted to be affected by 2060. (1) 

Hayfever sufferers can view the maps and download the full report >

As pollen seasons are predicted to become more severe and more types of allergenic plants spread across the UK, more people will be affected by hayfever as their threshold levels for allergic response are reached.(1,3)  If these levels are reached every year, instead of getting occasional bouts of hayfever, these people will get hayfever annually, contributing to the increase in sufferers.(1)  The cost of loss of productivity at work due to hayfever has been estimated at £7.1billion per year.(4)  If the prevalence of hayfever increases as predicted, this cost will be dwarfed.

Professor Jean Emberlin, director of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, University of Worcester, who developed the forecast maps said, “These figures are a stark reminder of the effects climate change can have on our health.  Hayfever not only has a tremendous impact on many aspects of life for the sufferer but also for the economy as a whole and it should be taken seriously.”

“Increasingly we are going to need treatments which help people to reduce their susceptibility to hayfever in the first place rather than simply alleviate the symptoms,” explains Chris Frost, Head of Medicines at Lloydspharmacy

“A study conducted by the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, and published online by the Current Medical and Research Opinion concluded that the Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever significantly reduced the main symptoms of hayfever - sneezing, runny nose, watering eyes and an itchy palate. In fact it’s so effective some people may feel a reduction in hayfever symptoms after using it just a few times.  This device has been clinically proven to help to reduce susceptibility to some types of pollens, making it very useful for the severe pollen seasons forecasted over the next ten to fifty years.”(5)

UK areas least susceptible to increases in allergenic pollen loads include coastal areas, especially in the west.  The further north one goes, the shorter the growing season and the shorter the pollen seasons, causing less misery for hayfever sufferers.  Highland and moor land areas are good places for hayfever sufferers as the type of vegetation there produces less pollen. (1)

-Ends-

Notes to editors

About the research methodology:
Predictions of prevalence rates for hayfever in 2020, 2040 and 2060 were made by estimating current prevalence rates from available information then entering these into a formula for each region and predicted year which included  weightings for current rate of change in prevalence,  features of  current pollen seasons and regional vegetation, geographical position and altitude, the influence of air pollution, changes in pollen season due to climate change and changes in the distributions of allergenic plants.

Prevalence is the proportion of the population that has hayfever. The prevalence rates are based on the population as a whole not on a particular age group. Prevalence rates are likely to be higher in teenagers and young adults than in the population as a whole.

About the Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever

The Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever works by phototherapy, red light comprising two different wavelengths. One wavelength is designed to promote increased blood flow and circulation and the second wavelength to suppress the cells that release histamine and reduce inflammation.  Both work together to relieve the irritating symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including hayfever.  The therapy is completely painless.  The Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever is a class IIA medical device  and can be used alone, or alongside other allergy medications.  It is so small it can be used anywhere – in the car, on a train or at work.   

The Hayfever Reliever, suitable for both adults and children, is safe, quick and easy to use.  The Hayfever Reliever delivers the phototherapy by beaming infra red light through two small prongs which are inserted up the nose.  It can be used three or four times per day for three minutes at a time.  The Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever is currently available for half price at £14.99.

About the study:
Objective: to investigate the effect of the Hayfever Reliever (Lloyds Pharmacy phototherapy device SN-206) on symptoms of hayfever (seasonal or intermittent rhinitis) in adults. 

Study design: a double blind, placebo controlled grass pollen challenge conducted out of the pollen season.  The trial was conducted on 101 hayfever sufferers between the start of October 2008 and the end of January 2009. Subjects were adult males and females. 

Results:
• No adverse reactions were reported. All the subjects had some reactions to the pollen challenge. In all cases the total and mean symptom scores for the placebo group were higher than those in the allergy reliever group. The highest total and mean symptom scores were for itching nose, running nose and itchy throat.
• Percentage differences scores for symptoms between Placebo (n=51) and Allergy Reliever (n=50) groups:
• Sneezing – 35%
• Itching eyes – 23%
• Running eyes – 46%
• Itching nose – 23%
• Itching throat – 18%
• TOTAL MEAN DIFFERENCE: 29%

References:
1.  J. Emberlin.  Hayfever prevalence in the UK in 2020, 2040 and 2060.  May 2009.  Available at: www.lloydspharmacy.com/allergy

2.  K.  Giannakouris.  Ageing characterises the demographic perspectives of the European societies.  Issue number 72/2008.  Eurostat.  August 2008.  Available at http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-SF-08-072/EN/KS-SF-08-072-EN.PDF [Accessed May 2009]

3. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). "Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers," www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_spm.pdf

4.  Hayfever costs billions every year in loss of employee productivity. 30 March 2009 http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/news/894699/Hay-fever-costs-billions-every-year-loss-employee-productivity/
[Accessed May 2009]

5.  J. Emberlin, R. Lewis.  Pollen challenge study of a phototherapy device for reducing the symptoms of hayfever. 
Current Medical Research and Opinion, 28 May 2009.  Available online at http://www.informapharmascience.com/doi/abs/10.1185/03007990903024699 [Accessed May 2009]

For media enquiries, please contact:
Press Officer
Lloydspharmacy
Tel: 02476 432192
Email: pr@lloydspharmacy.co.uk

JUNE 2009

 MARLON DEVONISH RACES TO BEAT HAYFEVER THIS SEASON
- The Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever –
A new tool in the fight against hayfever

World class athlete and Olympic gold medallist Marlon Devonish hopes to conquer a condition which has affected both his life and his career thanks to a revolutionary new device.

Along with 15 million other Brits, Marlon suffers from severe hayfever.  The 33 year old Coventry Godiva Harrier is in training for the athletics season and amid forecasts of high pollen counts he has been using the Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever to manage his hayfever symptoms … with fantastic results. 

Marlon has suffered from severe hayfever since childhood and in order to perform at his best he has to keep debilitating symptoms under control, especially as he’ll be competing against double world record holder Usain Bolt at the Great CityGames Manchester in a 150m street race on May 17.  This will be Marlon’s first race of the season.

Commenting on how he’ll be managing his hayfever ahead of the race, Marlon said, “Athletes have to work incredibly hard to stay at the top of their game, including as much warm weather training as possible. 

“Unfortunately for a hayfever sufferer like me, this means spending a lot of time in hot countries during the spring and summer seasons, when pollen counts are at their highest levels.  I’ve just returned from warm-weather training in Florida and I couldn’t believe how much the Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever helped relieve my hayfever symptoms. It’s small, so great for travelling, and really easy to use.  There’s also the added bonus that it’s totally drug free so I don’t have to worry about random testing ”

Caused by an allergy to airborne substances such as grass or pollen, hayfever affects the nose, sinus, throat and eyes and usually occurs during the spring and summer months.  From March to May, tree pollen is the most common trigger of hayfever while from May to August, grass pollen is the main cause of hayfever symptoms.

“The Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever works by phototherapy, red light comprising two different wavelengths,” explains Chris Frost, Head of Medicines at Lloydspharmacy. “One wavelength promotes increased blood flow and circulation and the second wavelength suppresses the cells that release histamine and reduces inflammation.  Both work together to relieve the irritating symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including hayfever.  The therapy is completely painless.
 
“The Hayfever Reliever delivers the phototherapy by beaming red light through two small prongs which are inserted up the nose.  It can be used three or four times per day for three minutes at a time.” 

The Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever is a class IIA medical device  and can be used alone, or alongside other allergy medications.  It is so small it can be used anywhere – in the car, on a train or at work. The Hayfever Reliever, suitable for both adults and children, is safe, quick and easy to use.
 
The Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever is available for £14.99

View the Lloydspharmacy video interview with Marlon Devonish

View all the Lloydspharmacy videos on our YouTube channel

For media enquiries, please contact:
Press Officer
Lloydspharmacy
Tel: 02476 432192
Email: pr@lloydspharmacy.co.uk

MAY 2009

 New research by Lloydspharmacy shows that more than a third of women deliberately buy clothes which are too small for them as an incentive to lose weight.

The study found that on average these women confessed to buying three under-size items of clothing each.  This means that there are more than 24 million dresses, skirts, blouses and trousers hanging idly in Britain’s wardrobes.

Lloydspharmacy, which commissioned the research, has dubbed these garments as CARROTS: Clothes Acquired Rashly, Requiring Owners To Slim.

The research uncovered Scots as the biggest purchasers of CARROTS with one in six women claiming to own ten or more items they have bought knowing they are too small. This compares with a mere two per cent of women in London.

Christine Evans, Lloydspharmacy’s weight management specialist commented, "If slipping into a little black dress or a smaller jean size is something someone finds motivating, then buying an under-size garment could be a very sensible investment".

"Many people, women especially, have a daily reminder of their size in the form of an item of clothing they want to fit into one day. Deliberately buying these clothes could be an effective strategy. Taking control of weight loss is all about setting realistic goals and then taking action to achieve them".

However, it’s not just women who buy small clothes as a weight loss incentive; according to the Lloydspharmacy’s research, 12 per cent of men do as well.

The figures have been released to coincide with the launch of alli weight loss management, which has gone on sale over the counter in pharmacies. Adding alli to a reduced calorie, lower-fat diet can help overweight people with a BMI of 28 or over,  boost their weight loss by up to 50 per cent as it works by allowing excess fat from food consumed to pass naturally through the body.

Christine said, "The good news is that now there is a clinically proven treatment, alli, which is available over the counter in pharmacies, which can help people achieve their weight loss goals more quickly. alli weight management is for people who are committed to losing weight and who are prepared to make the appropriate lifestyle changes. It can provide a very significant additional benefit to someone on a weight loss plan."

Christine concluded, "For people who are committed to losing weight and who are prepared to make the appropriate lifestyle changes, alli can provide a very significant additional benefit, but it’s not a magic bullet."

For media enquiries, please contact:
Press Officer
Lloydspharmacy
Tel: 02476 432192
Email: pr@lloydspharmacy.co.uk

MAY 2009