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The Home Medicine Chest
is the theme of this year's
Consumer Health Information
Centre's Colds and Flu Campaign.
Building on the idea of the
First Aid Kit that no home
should be without, the Home
Medicine Chest encourages
responsible self-treatment
by consumers of minor ailments,
including colds and flu, which
often strike unexpectedly
and when the pharmacy is closed.
The Home Medicine
Chest, reflecting the
NHS Winter Planning theme,
is particularly important
this year because of the extended
Christmas/New Year holiday
period when pharmacies and
GP surgeries will be closed
for longer than usual. Consumers
seeking advice from their
pharmacist in advance of the
holiday and obtaining items
allowing them to self-treat
minor ailments, including
colds and flu, will reduce
the pressure on emergency
GP surgeries and A&E Departments.
Research shows
that consumers are willing
and interested in managing
minor episodes of ill-health
but one of the biggest barriers
to self-treatment is a lack
of sufficient knowledge. At
the same time 86% of consumers
agree that the pharmacist
is a good source of advice
about minor medical problems.(1)
The Home Medicine Chest
has been designed to encourage
consumers to have confidence
in their ability to diagnose
and self-treat minor ailments.
Suggestions for
inclusion in the Home Medicine
Chest particularly for
colds and flu include: a decongestant,
cough medicine, throat lozenges/pastilles,
analgesics for headaches,
general cold relief products.
Home Medicine
Chest items for use in
treating other conditions
include; an antiseptic solution
for minor cuts and bruises,
a mild laxative and an anti-diarhoeal
for stomach upsets, oral rehydration
solution, antacids for indigestion,
sunscreen, calamine lotion,
travel sickness pills and
a thermometer.(2) For people
with hayfever or allergies
the Home Medicine Chest
should also include an antihistamine.(2)
It is important
that consumers follow a few
simple guidelines when self-treating:
keep the Home Medicine Chest
in a secure place, out of
the reach of small children,
keep medicines in their original
container, always read the
instructions and use the correct
dose, don't keep medicines
that have passed their sell-by
date, never share prescription
medicines with other people.(2)
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