August is going to be an awesome month for our pharmacies as we gear up for some exciting activities. We continue with two Community Pharmacy Pilots, we relaunch Ride For Isabel on 11th August, and we welcome MCoBeauty cosmetics and skincare to our stores. Read more about these activities in the following pages of this month’s Live+ Catalogue.
We are in the final months of offering free influenza vaccinations for Queensland residents, which ends on 30th September. It’s not too late to get vaccinated. Between the flu, COVID and RSV, we have so many things circulating in the community. This can burden our healthcare systems, so book your flu vaccination online at alivepharmacy.com.au.
I’m pleased to see our cosmetics range grow as MCoBeauty enters our stores. You can learn about their products on pages 14-15. Pharmacy skincare definitely deserves more spotlight as it’s often more affordable, accessible, and sometimes even more effective. It’s fascinating to see how prevalent skincare and makeup routines have become. Make sure you’re educated on what safe and effective skincare includes - think gentle cleansers, moisturisers, and sun protection.
In tropical climates like Cairns, skincare may differ from those in cooler parts of Australia. Warmer weather requires lightweight ingredients that don’t sweat off or clog pores. Avoid oily formulations and synthetic ingredients. If pimples or acne are a problem, book a consult with our Alive prescribing pharmacists who can now offer a broader range of solutions to suit the needs of each individual.
In other exciting news, the Trade Exhibition for Pharmacy Connect 2024 will be held in early September in Sydney. This year’s event will be especially interesting as we hear discussions about the different community pharmacy pilots, and our own Chief Pharmacist, Demi, hosting a session on wound care.
Remember to stay on top of your immunity in the final stretch of the cold and flu season, and I look forward to updating everyone on our Community Pharmacy Pilots. Follow our Facebook page for updates.
Managing Director
Check Out Check Up PHARMACIES FOR A
Did you know?
Queensland Pharmacies are facilitating two community pharmacy pilots?
Pharmacists in participating pharmacies can provide new services as part of the Queensland Community Pharmacy Hormonal Contraception Pilot and the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot. Both pilots aim to improve access to primary healthcare services for Queenslanders, particularly in regional and rural areas.
Community Pharmacy Hormonal Contraception Pilot
Women and girls over 16 years will now be able to access hormonal contraceptive prescriptions and repeats directly from local qualified pharmacists.
Contraceptive methods accessible through the pilot include:
• Oral medications (excluding high estrogen dose)
• Injected medication
• Contraception vaginal ring
Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot
More of our pharmacists are expected to graduate the Full Scope of Practice in the coming months. The pilot has already proven to be an efficient and effective way to improve access to healthcare in our Alive Pharmacy DFO store. Chief Pharmacist Demi Pressley has taken many consultations since being the first to graduate a few months ago.
Medicines management and prescribing activities include:
• Mild to moderate acne
• Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
• Acute nausea and vomiting
• Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
• Improved Asthma Symptom Program
• Other health conditions
Next time you need a doctor’s appointment for a minor health condition or for prescription repeats, check out one of your Alive Pharmacy stores, they might be able to help.
Follow us on Facebook for the latest news, updates and the availability of our Prescribing Pharmacists.
CHECK IN MAN!
Why is a pharmacist always calm? Because they have a lot of patients…. dad jokes aside, Father’s Day is just around the corner! This got us thinking, why don’t we see many men walking through our doors?
Statistically, poor health of Australian men is complicated as men are less likely than women to seek medical treatment. Men are also more likely to experience serious health conditions, and their mortality rate is much higher. General health checks can detect illness at an early stage or better yet, prevent illness from occurring in the first place.
Many health conditions can be picked up during a standard medical, including diabetes, blood pressure disparities, skin cancers, asthmatic symptoms. In Australia, common male health concerns also include depression, heart disease, and cancers of the prostate and testes.
TOP HEALTH CONDITIONS BY SEX 2023
RESCHEDULED DATE: AUGUST 11TH
The ‘man flu’ is real! Men have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to viruses.
WHY DO I PEE SO MUCH?
How much is too much in terms of using your bladder? Is it normal and healthy to pee several times a day?
A lot of us don’t know how to maintain a healthy bladder. It is important to know the role the bladder plays in your health, why it’s crucial, the different drinks and foods that are good for bladder health and what to avoid.
What does a bladder do?
The bladder is like your belly - a pouchshaped expandable organ. When signalled, the muscles of your bladder will release your urine through a tube to carry the urine out of your body. The bladder can increase from two inches to six depending on how much liquid fills it. The organ is essential because it filters extra fluids and wastes from your bloodstream.
Care for your bladder
Drinks that are good for your bladder:
• Water
• Cranberry Juice
+Quick fact
Diabetes can cause damage to the nerves surrounding your bladder that help with bladder control.
• Kohli tea: an extract from a subtropical plant that has antioxidant benefits.
• Pear or apple juice: best diluted with water
• Caffeine-free fruit and herbal teas: Ginseng can stimulate the bladder, increasing urgency and frequency of urination
• Lemon water: rich in Vitamin C and a powerful antioxidant that alkalizes your body
Foods that are good for your urinary system:
• Pears
• Bananas
• Winter Squash
• Green beans
• Potatoes
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins
• Nuts
• Breads
• Eggs
OUR
PICK
Urox Effectively assisting in bladder control, Urox strengthens and tones the muscles of the bladder wall, pelvic floor, and sphincter, supporting the connective tissue surrounding the area.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) can cause temporary incontinence episodes due to bacteria. The bacteria invade the bladder and weaken the muscles of the urethra, which carries urine from your body. UTIs affect everyone a little differently. You may suffer from the following symptoms:
• Burning with urination
• Increased frequency of urination without passing much urine
• Increased urination urgency
• Bloody urine
• Cloudy urine
• Discoloured urine – tea or cola-like
• Strong urine odour
• Pelvic pain in women
• Rectal pain in men
Did you know?
A woman’s urethra is a lot shorter than a man’s, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder
UTI’s caused by sexual activity have commonly been referred to as Honeymoon Disease. Symptoms are the same as above. To help prevent this type of UTI, empty your bladder after having sex.
UTI’s can affect your kidneys, which can potentially be life threatening as the bacteria moves from your kidneys to your bloodstream. This can cause dangerously low blood pressure, shock, and death.
Treatment
Treating a UTI will vary depending on the cause. Generally, a form of antibiotic will be involved to treat the bacteria. You can now speak to your pharmacist about options for treating UTIs without a script for medication.
Prevention is the best option when it comes to UTIs. As soon as your symptoms present themselves, there are some self-help treatments that may resolve cystitis in a few days.
• Drink plenty of water
• Rest
• Use a urinary alkaliniser e.g. Ural
• Avoid acidic food or drinks
• Take pain relief like paracetamol to reduce the pain
OUR PICK
Uramet An antibacterial that supresses bacteria in the urine that causes UTIs, Uramet can be used short or long-term and can be taken every day to help prevent reoccurrence of UTIs.
La Roche Posay Range
Nivea Mens Shower Range STUFF Mens Shower Range
Mens Range
Designer Brand Miracle Glow Colour Balms
Manicure Press
MEET MCo BEAUTY
MCo Beauty is Australia’s fastest-growing luxe-for-less beauty brand. We’re so excited to have it on our shelves because not only is this range high quality, it’s also affordable!
Let us introduce some besties below:
MCoBeauty Brighten & Perfect Cream Concealer
A concealer that enhances skin by delivering buildable and correcting coverage with skin-loving benefits. This creamy formula blurs the appearance of blemishes, dark circles and imperfections. It leaves a fresh, even-toned skin with a natural finish. The built in applicator allows for precise application and quick touch-ups throughout the day. Ideal for dark under-eye circles, pigmentation, and minor blemishes. This one gives a light coverage and can easily be corrected and refined throughout the day.
1, 2, 3
Apply concealer directly to under eyes or imperfections using the in-built applicator. Gently blend with clean fingers, brush or sponge.
Beauty hack
Start and end with a base/top coat. This will help prevent nail discolouration and yellowing. It’s nothing to worry about though, as it’s a natural reaction from the keratin.
MCoBeauty Miracle Flawless Skin Foundation
A 2-in-1 foundation and skincare powerhouse, the Miracle Flawless Skin Foundation has a creamy formula that evens skin’s texture with buildable, medium coverage. The skin-nourishing ingredients help boost moisture retention while smoothing and comforting the skin. A fusion of hyaluronic acid and coconut water is blended with rose flower water to work overtime to revitalise skin’s texture. The addition of bixa orellana seed extract reduces shine while respecting the skin’s natural glow. It’s the ultimate daily foundation for healthier and fresher looking skin.
How to use: Apply foundation with a brush and build to desired coverage
MCoBeauty Super Glow Bronzing Drops
The Super Glow Bronzing Drops are a weightless serum that hydrates the skin while adding a warm bronze tint to your complexion. It has taken social media by storm competing with popular brands at much higher price points. It contains a blend of antioxidants and skin-loving extracts supporting a healthy skin barrier. Some ingredients include jojoba seed oil, cocoa extract, white tea extract and hyaluronic acid, which all protect and nourish the skin barrier. Suitable for all complexions, it seamlessly blends into your skincare routine to give you a beautiful naturally glowing finish.
How to use it: Shake well to activate formulation. Add a drop or two of the Super Glow Bronzing Drops to your serum, oil, or moisturiser for a natural golden glow.
MCoBeauty Cheek & Lip Tint
The Cheek & Lip Tint is perfect for a natural tint to both the lips and cheeks. It is a dewy gel formulation that brings a pop of colour to your makeup or skincare look. The lightweight formula offers buildable intensity from a sheer radiance to a bold flush. Whether applying with your fingers or with a brush, you’ll be able to apply and spread the glow evenly to your cheeks. As for the lips it creates a gentle stain colour for a subtle glossy look.
Shades: Red, Dusk, Flamingo
How to use: Apply Cheek & Lip Tint to lips and cheeks using your fingers to achieve a subtle flush.
MCoBeauty Magic Brows
Instantly build fuller and thicker eyebrows with Magic Brows. The tinted gel volumizes and tints the hair of the brows in seconds. Formulated with long-lasting ingredients, the water-resistant formula adds quick drying fullness to even the sparsest of brows. Buildable for tailored brows from natural to bold, it’s the perfect product for beginners!
Shades: Blonde, Medium Brown, Medium Dark
How to use: Apply to brows in short upward strokes, following direction of hair growth.
MCoBeauty Miracle Flawless Setting Spray
MCoBeauty Xtendlash Tubing Mascara
A best-selling and an award-winning product! The Xtendlash is the ultimate, innovative tubing mascara to maximise length, curl, and add volume. Once applied, the lightweight glossy formulation binds to lashes and will not run, smudge, clump or flake. It’s safe for sensitive eyes and for those that wear contact lenses. It also removes effortlessly with warm water and a little bit of gentle pressure. You’ll easily be able to achieve a fluttery lash, plus the lashes hold lifted for the entire day. All in all, it’s an absolute bargain for its price!
Shades: Black Brown, Black
How to use: Apply generously to clean and dry lashes until desired length, separation and volume is achieved.
A multi-purpose setting spray that locks in makeup while delivering radiance and hydration to the skin. Featuring a superfine mist and custom atomiser to deliver the perfect amount of product every time. It contains ingredients like superstars glycerin, aloe vera and camellia leaf extract which work together to revive, moisturise and soothe skin. It can be used before foundation to prep the skin, or after makeup to set and refresh. This long-lasting, lightweight setting spray enhances complexion for a flawless finish.
How to use: Prime prior to makeup application, hold bottle 20cm away from the face. Ensure eyes and mouth are closed and mist evenly over entire face. Set after makeup application, repeat steps as above.
We hope you love MCo cosmetic and skincare products as much as we do! Come in and give them a try. In our opinion, it’s definitely a bang for your buck.
