Over-the-counter medicines

Understanding the benefits of liposomal eye sprays for dry eye patients

“At RB, we’re committed to supporting community pharmacies to ensure they are able to provide the very best help and advice to meet the needs of patients. Providing suitable products, information and referring patients when appropriate, are crucial elements of primary healthcare. Therefo…

Supported content

Pharmacy teams regularly choose not to supply OTC drugs

Community pharmacy teams regularly choose not to fulfil customers’ requests for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, offering health advice or signposting them to other services instead, a study by Pharmacy Voice has revealed.…

Vitamin D levels can affect aggressiveness of melanomas

Patients with malignant melanoma should not be advised to stay out of the sun without taking measures to ensure healthy levels of vitamin D, according to Julia Newton-Bishop, professor of dermatology at the University of Leeds.…

Omega-3 fatty acids improve recovery after heart attack

Patients taking a high dose of omega-3 fatty acids for six months had a significant reduction in markers of cardiac remodelling, study shows.…

Recommending dry eye treatments in community pharmacy

How community pharmacists can best manage patients with dry eye conditions.…

Supported content

Identifying and managing dry eye

Patients can use the Optrex Blink Test to identify signs of dry eye. There is no cure for the condition, but a range of products are available — including eye drops and liposomal eye sprays — to help patients manage their symptoms.…

Efficacy is not highest priority for sunscreen buyers

Healthcare professionals should advise consumers on adequate photoprotection, new study concludes.…

Multivitamin supplements an unnecessary expense during pregnancy

Review finds strong evidence for pregnant women taking folic acid supplements, unclear evidence for vitamin D supplementation and no evidence for other multivitamins.…

Ibuprofen and toremifene inhibit Ebola virus

The surprising results could help guide the development of new Ebola treatments, say the researchers.…

FDA approves first OTC retinoid for acne

The first retinoid acne treatment to be made available over the counter in the United States has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.…