Guidance issued for pharmacies amid amber heat alert

Community pharmacies have been issued with guidance that they can display to help patients keep themselves and their medicines safe in the heat.

This comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office issued an amber heat alert effective today for all of England except the North East, which has been issued a yellow heat alert.

The issuing of the amber alert indicates that the government is expecting the hot temperatures this week to have an impact on the entire health service and affect the wider population, rather than just vulnerable groups which are likely to be affected under yellow alert conditions.

The alerts began today at midday and will continue until 9pm on Sunday 10 September, as the Met Office predicts that temperatures could exceed this year’s previous record and reach up to 33 degrees Celsius.

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) said that it is likely that the public might approach community pharmacy teams for advice or assistance if they feel unwell.

And the negotiator has developed an infographic for pharmacy owners to display in their pharmacy, as well as social media images to share.

The infographic contains particular advice on keeping medicines safe in the heat such as keeping them in their original packaging to protect them, and storing them below 25 degrees Celsius or in the refrigerator, according to the instructions on the packaging.

And it warns patients that some medicines can make them more vulnerable to the heat, and instructs them to discuss this with their pharmacist.

Patients are also advised to stay out of the heat if possible, avoid or limit extreme physical exertion, cool down with cold drinks and foods with high water content and avoid excess alcohol and hot drinks.

And the infographic suggests that people could have a cool bath or shower or sprinkle water over skin or clothing or keep a damp cloth on the back of their neck to cool down.

It also outlines a list of symptoms that might indicate heatstroke.

If patients do feel unwell due to the heat, they are advised to contact a GP or NHS 111 if they show symptoms of: