As part of ‘Ask your Pharmacist Week’ local health leaders across Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull are reminding residents to make sure their home medicine cabinet is well stocked and ready for winter illnesses.
Common winter ailments such as coughs, colds, sore throats and upset stomachs can often be treated safely and effectively at home with advice from your pharmacist.
Keeping a few essential items in your medicine cabinet means you can manage minor illnesses quickly without needing to see your GP or seek urgent medical advice.
Recommended items to keep on hand include:
- Paracetamol and/or ibuprofen for pain or fever relief
- Cold and flu remedies
- Throat sweets
- Antihistamines
- Indigestion tablets
- Plasters and antiseptic cream for minor cuts
- A thermometer.
If you take regular prescription medicines, make sure you have enough to last over weekends and bank holidays, although some local pharmacies are open on weekends. Your local pharmacist can also advise on what to keep at home and how to use medicines safely.
Sukhy Somal, ICS Head of Community Pharmacy Clinical Services for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “A well-stocked medicine cabinet can make a big difference in keeping you and your family healthy this winter. Pharmacists are expert healthcare professionals who can advise you on the best treatments for common winter illnesses. Taking a few minutes to check your supplies now can save you a lot of inconvenience later.”
Andrew Pickard, Pharmacy Advisor for NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, said: “The winter can bring a variety of illness from coughs and colds to upset stomachs, so it is important to keep a well-stocked medicines cabinet in order to help manage symptoms.
“Ask your pharmacist for advice on the range of medicines that you may need to stock as some can affect other medication that you may already be taking from your GP. It is also important check that any medicines you already have are in date, and any that have expired can be taken to a local pharmacy for safe disposal."
Children also often pick up coughs, colds and other minor illnesses during the winter months. Parents and carers are encouraged to keep suitable children’s medicines at home, such as age-appropriate paracetamol or ibuprofen, oral rehydration salts, and a digital thermometer.
To find your local pharmacy in the Black Country visit the Black Country ICB website and to find your local pharmacy in Birmingham and Solihull please go to the Birmingham and Solihull ICB website.
For further information about self-care for children, visit the Black Country 0-18 website.
