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Pharmacists Must Stand with Ukraine

Screenshot of a series of images in a petition by the Pharmacy

Association of Ukraine

Pharmacy organisations across Europe and indeed the world, are calling on pharmacists to provide aid to Ukraine.

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), made the request on behalf of its member organisation the All-Ukrainian Pharmaceutical Chamber.

“FIP will always endeavour to support our colleagues across the world, responding to their requests and not acting alone. We will always assess need against request, but our offer of support is universal and equitable. We are witnessing heroic efforts by the Ukrainian people and our pharmacy colleagues. It is truly moving, inspiring and terrifying in equal measure,” said FIP CEO Catherine Duggan.

The organisation said in a statement, “A world where everyone benefits from access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and health technologies, as well as from pharmaceutical care services provided by pharmacists, in collaboration with other healthcare professionals is the vision that FIP is working towards. FIP condemns all acts of violence or war causing suffering, and has long supported the pharmacy profession in humanitarian work.

“As healthcare professionals, pharmacists have an ethical duty and responsibility of providing aid to others in disaster situations. We remind all our members and others of our Statement of Policy on the role of the pharmacist in the management of disasters, be they natural or man-made, war, civil disorder or pandemics. Our plans for support of those in need as a result of the war in Ukraine are set out below.”

Images of a pharmacy in Ukraine, in the center of its main activity, at the end of the actual state of the bombardment and the volunteer’s law recognising useful medicines

FIP’s actions and what you can do

• Subsequent to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, FIP has been in contact with the All-Ukrainian Pharmaceutical Chamber, as it is our custom to reach out to our member organisations in a time of tragedy.

• FIP is currently acting on a request from The All-Ukrainian Pharmaceutical Chamber to organise humanitarian aid, in line with our vision.

• FIP has obtained a list of aid products that are needed, developed by The Ukraine Ministry of Health.

• Oleksii Iaremenko, Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine for European Integration, is coordinating the receipt of humanitarian goods (email: o.yaremenko@moz.gov.ua).

Meanwhile the PGEU has also released a statement.

European community pharmacists stand together to condemn Russia’s unprecedented military aggression against Ukraine and to share their strong solidarity with their Ukrainian colleagues and the Ukrainian people during these dark times.

They said, “The All-Ukrainian Pharmaceutical Chamber has described the impact of the war on the operations of community pharmacies in Ukraine in a call for actions against the Russian invasion. The heart-breaking report and pictures show that many pharmacies across the country have been forced to shut down or have been fully destroyed.

“Where pharmacies are still able to operate, pharmacists put their life at risk to continue to fulfil their mission in providing patient care. However, there is an acute shortage of medicines.

“The constant shelling of vehicles moving in the direction of cities and villages is preventing the distribution of products within Ukraine and the delivery of the medicines and devices stocked so far by humanitarian organizations in the neighbouring countries.

“Therefore, PGEU calls to guarantee continue access to medicines to all those affected by this war and to establish with the highest priority safe humanitarian corridors to allow essential medical equipment to reach conflict zones.

“We also call on all community pharmacists across Europe to continue supporting initiatives launched by their national pharmaceutical associations and/or support international humanitarian organisations working in the field and with refugees through financial donations. PGEU remains strongly committed to working closely with the European Commission’s humanitarian services and with all the other European health care stakeholder organisations to provide support in any way that can help alleviating some of the most pressing urgencies for the provision of health care and other basic life support.”

Update from the All-Ukrainian Pharmaceutical Chamber

“Pharmacists in Ukraine continue to fulfill their mission in patient care, using the Ukrainian model of Good Pharmacy Practice, but now working with bulletproof vests over their white coats. In many attacked cities, pharmacies are closed due to a lack of pharmaceutical staff. There is an acute shortage of medicines, which is caused by the inability of distributors to deliver due to the constant shelling of all vehicles moving in the direction of cities and villages. However, Ukrainian pharmacists show, by their daily deeds at their workplaces, that pharmacy is one of the most accessible places for the general population where it is possible to receive first aid” — Oleg Klimov, AUPC chairman

Pharmacy Steps Up to Support Ukraine

Community pharmacies across Ireland have once again stepped up to show their support for Ukraine, organising first aid, clothing and medical supplies to be donated and transported to the people of Ukraine who are desperately in need.

Whelehans Pharmacy recently compiled their first van load of medical and first aid supplies donated by the people of Mullingar. In a statement owner and Pharmacist Eamonn Brady explained, “These supplies will be transported by Smullen

Couriers ltd straight to Poland to support the people of Ukraine. This is in addition to the aid effort co-ordinated by Smullens and many more. Thanks to Natalie Slomyanovska for organising and co-ordinating the Whelehans Aid effort - a non-profit cause. We will have more deliveries like this in the coming weeks and Whelehans Pharmacy are also making a significant contribution of first aid supplies to the Ukranian cause.”

The pharmacy teams and support office colleagues at totalhealth and Haven Pharmacies have been shocked and saddened by the devasting crisis being faced by the people of Ukraine. They told Irish Pharmacy News, “In order to support humanitarian efforts on the ground, we are donating at total of ¤120,000 to the Irish Red Cross and UNHCR, who are working tirelessly to help the people most affected by this horrible crisis.

For more information on the work of the charities our funds are going to, please visit:

Irish Red Cross: https://lnkd.in/ e4hxhhVc

UNHCR: https://lnkd.in/gJF-9Av9

Cara Pharmacy were also collecting. Managing Director Patrick McCormack stated, “Well done to our team at CARA Pharmacy Dunlaoghaire who recently gave their own hard earned money to purchase goods to send to Ukraine. Essential medical supplies and toiletries have also been donated by CARA Pharmacy and the use of our vans to transport to central hub for onward transport to Poland and Ukraine.

“Our patients and customers can also donate at any totalhealth or Haven Pharmacy branch. Collection boxes will be available in every pharmacy, as well as the option to ‘tap and donate’ your chosen amount using your phone or payment card. 100% of all funds raised will be split equally between the Irish Red Cross and UNHCR.

“We are sincerely thankful to our pharmacy members for supporting this effort. This is truly a time for us to stand together with the people of Ukraine, both those in the midst of this catastrophe and their families who watch from afar – our deepest thoughts are with you all.”

Haleon – New Leader in Consumer Health

GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) has announced that the new company, to result from the proposed demerger of Consumer Healthcare from GSK in mid-2022, will be called Haleon.

Haleon (pronounced “Hay-Lee- On”) is inspired by the merging of the words ‘Hale’, which is an old English word that means ‘in good health’ and Leon, which is associated with the word ‘strength’. The new brand identity was developed with input from employees, healthcare practitioners and consumers and will be deployed in more than 100 markets around the world where the business operates.

The creation of Haleon results from a series of successful investments and strategic changes to GSK’s consumer health business over the last 8 years, including integrations of the consumer product portfolios from Novartis and Pfizer.

As a standalone company, Haleon will be a new world-leader in consumer healthcare, offering a compelling proposition – to bring deep human understanding together with trusted science – to deliver better everyday health with humanity.

In Ireland, GSK Consumer Healthcare employs 930 people. 900 are located in Dungarvan, while a 30 strong sales and commercial team based in Dublin manage the Consumer Healthcare portfolio of products and sell to customers in Ireland. Dungarvan is one of the largest manufacturing sites in GSK’s Consumer Health network.

Dave Barrett, Country Manager of GSK Consumer Healthcare in Ireland, added, “I am delighted to drive this exciting chapter in our company history together with the fantastic Ireland team. We will continue to be an important partner for consumers, customers and healthcare practitioners to ensure Haleon delivers better everyday health with humanity. We are very proud of our market leading and globally trusted brands, including household names like Sensodyne, Corsodyl, Centrum, and of course Panadol which is made in Ireland.

“Over the past forty years, our Panadol facility in Dungarvan has become one of the largest manufacturing sites in GSK’s Consumer Health network, producing both ‘over the counter’ pain relief and oral healthcare products for global supply to over 70 markets. We are well positioned to grow our business in Ireland over the coming years, and we look forward to keeping our teams in Dublin and Waterford updated every step of the way.”

Milestones in totalhealth Pharmacies!

Nuala O’Donnell Johnson and Ian Johnson have been running O’Donnell’s totalhealth Pharmacy, Charlestown, Co. Mayo since they took over the business from Nuala’s parents, Jack and Nancy O’Donnell, in 1997. The recently reached a milestone when they celebrated 25 years in business.

Speaking in their pharmacy, Nuala & Ian said “March 1st 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of that initial purchase, and along with all the staff we are delighted to have been at the forefront of community pharmacy in Charlestown. Most of the team has been with us over 10 years, and two of them over 20 years, which we hope says something about the way we look after our people. Every team member looks after us and treats the business as if it were their own, which is very reassuring these days. Does it feel like 25 years? Yes and no! It’s certainly gone quickly, and we don’t think of ourselves being that age. But we are, and we have two daughters, Heather and Sophie, in their early 20s, and they certainly try to keep us young. It was great to see the positive response on social media for our 25th anniversary. It makes you realise that you are making a difference to peoples’ lives, maybe only in a small way locally, but it’s a difference for the better”

Aoife O’Connor and Paula Kelly from Natural Options totalhealth Pharmacy, Boyle, Co. Roscommon celebrated their 2-year anniversary in February 2022.

Nuala O’Donnell Johnson and Ian Johnson, O’Donnell’s totalhealth Pharmacy

Sandra Sheerin, Paula Kelly, Aoife O’Connor, Miriam Finneran, Natural Options totalhealth Pharmacy

Aoife, Paula and their team shared their excitement and gratitude on their Facebook page; “We are beyond grateful to all of you who have supported us in so many ways. We feel extremely lucky to share this journey with our wonderful colleagues and friends and the lovely people we meet who come into our shop each day. The past two years have brought us challenges we never could have imagined back on the 21st of February 2020.

A week in and Covid-19 threw our world upside down. Two years later we have expanded and grown our space, our team, and our love for what we do. We have dispensed medicines, vaccinated, dressed wounds, provided a listening ear, and have always tried to do our best with a smile, with empathy and with kindness. We look forward to the years ahead as we continue to grow, to improve and to learn. Thank you all.”

World Obesity Day

World Obesity Day was held recently on Friday March 4th 2022. This is an annual, global event to bring people together to raise awareness and increase knowledge about obesity and the many other diseases on which it impacts. This year’s theme was ‘Everybody Needs to Act.’

On 4th March 2021, the Model of Care for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Ireland was launched. This sets out the services needed to provide end to end care for prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity in children, young people and adults.

The Model of Care for Children and Young People recommends the implementation of end to end supports for childhood obesity prevention and treatment. The new weight management programmes will see multidisciplinary teams providing specialist assessment and treatment for children, young people and their families. This includes individual and group programmes, links to local community programmes for additional support and onward referral to hospital based teams as necessary.

Enhanced Community Care forms part of the adult Model of Care implementation. This programme is ensuring maximum impact for citizens in avoiding hospital admission as far as possible through initiatives that see care delivered within the community, at or near a person’s home where appropriate. In 2022, dietitians will commence delivery of community based adult weight management programmes in community healthcare networks across the country allowing individuals with obesity to access dedicated healthcare professionals for support in their community.

The recent 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, the first year of a multi-annual reform programme to stabilise and reduce waiting lists and improve access to services has identified implementation of obesity care pathways as a priority. It will provide funding in 2022 to increase access and capacity nationally to specialist services including bariatric surgery, providing specialist care in the right place at the right time.

Examining Sector Stability and Patient Access to Medicines

The Guaranteed Irish Annual Pharmaceutical Forum, sponsored by MSD Ireland, featured an industry leading line-up within the pharmaceutical sector. Hosted by Mairead McCaul Managing Director of MSD Ireland Human Health, the panel discussion featured industry thought leaders Dr. Thorsten Giesecke General Manager Commercial Business at Janssen Sciences Ireland, and Matt Moran Director of BioPharmaChem Ireland, Ibec.

Mairead McCaul Managing Director of MSD Ireland Human Health

The panel outlined Ireland’s position as the third largest exporter of pharmaceuticals globally, employing over 45,000 people in Ireland directly with an added growth value of ¤15 billion to the local economy. “This year, 35 new medicines for a

range of medical conditions will be proposed. These conditions include arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and many forms of cancer…these medicines could treat almost 17,500 patients here in Ireland” said Mairead McCaul Managing Director of MSD Ireland Human Health.

The panel discussed sector opportunities including sector stability, continuous growth & development, the sector’s commitment to nurturing talent, and harnessing a holistic pharma-healthcare ecosystem. Examining these trends, Mairead McCaul affirmed “…we have a well and proven track record as a successful location for highgrowth multinationals. One-third of multinationals in Ireland have been here for over 20 years, showing the longevity, resilience

and commitment these companies have to Ireland.”

Sector stability remains an attraction for Ireland as a hub for pharmaceuticals globally. Matt Moran Director of BioPharmaChem Ireland, Ibec added “…as well as being an industry dominated by foreign direct investment, it’s an extremely stable sector. Multinationals pay around ¤15 billion in corporation tax, and it’s the security which this brings that is very important.”

The panel also highlighted industry challenges such as the disconnect between Government policy and the pharmaceutical sector, as well as the delayed reimbursement of Gene and Cell Therapy (GCT). While Ireland is a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, patient access to medicines is somewhat limited. According to Thorsten Giesecke General Manager Commercial Business at Janssen Sciences Ireland, “Studies have shown 35% of medicines licensed

in Europe, most of which are made in Ireland, are available to patients in Ireland. This is an opportunity where if Government looks at the industry holistically to include manufacturing, clinical research and the domestic health service, they can drive this eco-system.”

Closing the event, Mairead McCaul Managing Director, MSD Ireland Human Health said, “I’m delighted to have been part of this thought -provoking and insightful discussion this morning. Events such as this facilitate crucial discussions with fellow industry experts to explore how we can build on our past and current success as an industry and continue to thrive and hold our place as a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry. MSD Ireland is a long-standing member of Guaranteed Irish and acknowledges the role it plays in promoting Ireland and facilitating networking opportunities such as this.”

40% of Dementias Preventable

Up to 40% of dementias are preventable highlighting the need to resource early intervention, awareness and new treatments – a special Oireachtas briefing led by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) has been told.

Pictured Professor Iracema Leroi, Professor Sean Kennelly. Senator Fiona O’Loughlin, Mr Kevin Quaid, Professor Mary McCarron, Ms Samanatha Taylor, Ms Siobhan O’Connor. Professor Sean Kennelly told Oireachtas members that up to 40% of dementias are preventable, highlighting the need to resource early intervention, awareness and new treatments, at a special Oireachtas briefing hosted by the All Party Oireachtas Group on Dementia led by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI). Particular focus is needed on preventing dementia among people with intellectual disabilities.

Picture: Finbarr O’Rourke

Speaking at the event hosted by The All Party Oireachtas Group on Dementia in advance of Brain Awareness Week (March 14-20), The ASI, clinicians, academics, and the Global Brain Health Institute showcased opportunities to increase prevention and significant developments in medical treatments.

The ASI Interim CEO Siobhan O’Connor said, “If we address early risk factors such as hearing loss, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and depression then – according to the Lancet Commission – 40% of dementias are preventable. There are interventions which can reverse cognitive decline through education, exercise, stimulation, and social engagement. And further to this, there are a suite of significant new medical treatments becoming available which slow down early onset.”

Addressing Oireachtas members, Faculty Member of the Global

Brain Health Institute and Consultant in Physician Geriatric and Stroke Medicine at Tallaght Hospital Professor Sean Kennelly said, “Dementia is the most significant health condition globally for which we have no definitive treatments, but we are now at the cusp of a new era of better interventions to prevent, diagnose, and treat Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. It’s imperative that we educate people, so they understand what a ‘brain-healthy’ lifestyle is, and to take action to reduce the risks.”

Siobhan O’Connor concluded by welcoming funding as part of the HSE’s National Service Plan 2022 to facilitate the recruitment of a Project Manager in Brain Health, due to commence with the National Dementia Office (NDO) in July this year.