Archive for the ‘Shop Locally’ Category

Pharmacy practice differs in many ways worldwide, especially when comparing that of European countries to that of the United States.

In the US, approximately 34% of all community pharmacies are independently owned, meaning that they are locally- and pharmacist-owned rather than a member of a corporate chain, such as Kroger, CVS, Walmart, or Walgreens.

In contrast, in Germany, federal law requires that all community pharmacies, known as “Apotheken,” are independently owned and operated. However, with this regulation, a pharmacist is restricted to owning a maximum of three pharmacy locations.

With German pharmacies, most medications that are dispensed are by prescription, although several “over-the-counter” (OTC) medications are also available, but require a pharmacist to discuss with the patient their effects and safe use. In the United States, many OTCs such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) can be purchased without requiring a pharmacist to counsel the patient on their use. These medications can also be found in grocery stores and gas stations, unlike in Germany where these products are only able to be found in pharmacies.

A major contrast between Germany and the United States is the healthcare systems that govern the care of citizens. In the United States, healthcare is regulated privately, with the exceptions of Medicare and Medicaid, whereas insurance is required for German citizens, up to a certain income, and provided as a guaranteed right of care. This statutory health insurance (SHI) system covers about 88% of the German population, accounting for approximately 73.3 million people. This difference highlights unique pricing and medication access differences between the two countries.

In Germany, the government regulates medication pricing through their national formulary of approved medications, guaranteeing that every prescription drug will cost the same in every pharmacy. With this regulation, every insured person will have the same access to medications, regardless of their locale or financial status. Further, under the public insurance plan, prescription medications are virtually free of charge for patients, costing a maximum of 10 euros (~$10.50) per medication; although, this is countered by federal taxation of all citizens to accommodate the healthcare system and its associated fees. Surprisingly, however, insurers are not required to cover birth control pills for women older than 22, which can cost about $67 a month out-of-pocket. In the United States, the Affordable Care Act allows American insurance plans to cover contraception as a form of preventative medicine with no cost sharing.

While pharmacy hours certainly vary in the United States, German pharmacies are generally open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6:30 PM and on Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM. Interestingly, pharmacies within a certain region alternate in providing after-hours services, posting the schedule of which pharmacy is on duty for the night at the entrance of each pharmacy as well as in the newspaper.

Although there may be several perceived advantages to German healthcare and pharmacy practice, the systems are not without their flaws. For example, a major challenge in Germany is the lack of cooperation and integration between healthcare providers and various sectors, especially as electronic health record (EHR) systems, which assist with documenting a patient’s medical information and health plans in one place, had not been established until around January 2021.

Until the beginning of 2022, paper-based prescribing had remained the standard for providers, with the transition to electronic prescribing options going live only this January. Additionally, telehealth infrastructure had not been largely formalized until January, as well, finally granting distance-based care options for patients outside of a physician’s office.

Biggest takeaway points:

• German pharmacies must be owned by pharmacists.
• Typically OTCs, such as analgesics and cold and cough medications, are pharmacy-only products.
• By law, pharmacists must counsel on every medication, regardless if prescription or OTC.
• Medication prices are set by the government since public insurance plans are provided to citizens.
• Pharmacies in certain areas take turns offering 24-hour service to patients.
• Electronic health record systems, telehealth services, and electronic prescribing are relatively new to the German healthcare system.

Resources:

City of Bonn. Pharmacies (Apotheke). Bonn: Medical Care. Published 2022. Accessed June 16, 2022. https://www.bonn.de/microsite/en/services/medical-care/pharmacies.php

Eickhoff C, Griese-Mammen N, Mueller U, Said A, Schulz M. Primary healthcare policy and vision for community pharmacy and pharmacists in Germany. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2021;19(1):2248. doi:10.18549/PharmPract.2021.1.2248

Michos L, Holmes E. National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Digest 2021. Published online October 2021. https://ncpa.org/sites/default/files/2021-10/2021-Digest.pdf

Strumann C, Möller B, Steinhäuser J. Einschätzungen zum elektronischen Rezept – eine Querschnittstudie unter Apothekern in Deutschland. Gesundheitswesen. Published online June 23, 2021:a-1498-1816. doi:10.1055/a-1498-1816

Salt therapy is popping up all around the map and it is the process in which humans inhale small particles of salt for many different types of claimed benefits.

Even though salt therapy seems new, it is actually very dated and has been around since the 1800’s. A physician noticed that salt mine workers had less health issues, including less respiratory problems, than workers who had been in other types of mines. Even many years later, when people used to hide in salt caves during WWII, their health improved prompting the spread of salt therapy.

Salt therapy is still confusing in terms of science, but the theory is that when salt particles are inhaled, the particles kill off microorganisms in the lungs to reduce inflammation and decrease mucus. A senior scientific advisor to the American Lung Association suggests that when fine salt particles are inhaled, they fall on the airway linings and draw water into the airway, thinning the mucus and making it easier to breathe, thus making people feel better. The salt particles also can pull out other toxins and bacteria from the body cells in the process.

The treatment essentially involves sitting in a warm room filled with rock salt, with walls that are made of salt and inhaling salty air that’s being pumped into the room by a machine. The room itself usually consists of dim lighting, comfortable seating, and is often very pretty. The surroundings provide a relaxing environment.

People can choose to sit in the salt room anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, with the most commonly chosen time being one hour. There are many different modified versions of the salt room with some rooms including salt and toys that kids can play in like sand, and salt baths that allow for people to float and feel lightweight. The salt rooms are advertised towards all ages.

Initial recommended therapy, by the salt room therapists, for asthma and COPD includes twice weekly therapy for 6-8 weeks. Some people use salt rooms daily and have no complications. It is always important to discuss any type of new therapy with a doctor.

The claimed benefits of salt therapy include relief of symptoms of skin, respiratory and lifestyle conditions, including:

• asthma
• acne
• eczema
• psoriasis
• hay fever
• sinusitis, sleep
• snoring
• stress
• anxiety
• fatigue
• sports performance
• and much more

Many people just use salt therapy as a way to relax in the comfortable quiet rooms and clear the mind as a form of self care. Self care alone is shown to improve health outcomes both mentally and physically.

There is not much evidence showing that salt therapy is harmful. However, since there is no evidence-based findings or guidelines to salt therapy treatment, before starting salt therapy, it should be discussed with a doctor.

Salt rooms can be dehydrating and it is very important to drink plenty of water. There are reports of watery stinging eyes due to the salt. Any patient with eye health concerns should also consult a doctor.

We have a wonderful salt spa right here in Plain City. Sweet Dreams Float and Dry Salt Therapy, 218 West Main Street, offers dry salt therapy, as well as a floatation pod. They also have wonderful gifts for the holidays including salt lamps, aromatherapy dispensers, and essential oils.

Like Sweet Dreams on Facebook HERE and find out more about how to book an appointment.

After Black Friday and the mad rush to start the holiday shopping season, small businesses ask you to take a deep breath and shop small and locally on Saturday, November 25, Small Business Saturday. 

Shopping locally helps your community in a number of ways:

• Improves your family’s health by eating locally grown produce and food from farmers you know.
• Helps the local economy by keeping money within the community.
• Protects the environment because you’re not wasting fuel and resources traveling long distances to shop.
• Allows you to know the people behind the products you buy.
• Keeps your community unique with interesting stores found nowhere else.
• Supports business owners who also live in your community, are your neighbors, send their kids to the local schools, go to church at your church, pay taxes that benefit your police department and firefighters, support the local PTA and animal shelter, and also shop at other local businesses.

Here is a really cool infographic that shows the benefits of shopping within your own community. Click HERE to take a look.

We hope that you will stop in the pharmacy on Saturday from 9 am until noon and take a moment to shop within our store. We appreciate your loyalty and business so much and your continued support allows us to remain in the Plain City community.

Where you shop matters.

Take a look at the special Lovejoy’s sale ad for August 1-7.

Stop by the deli the next time you need lunch or dinner. They always have something great and, best of all, you don’t have to cook!

Don’t forget that Lovejoy’s also offers: ATM, Carryout service, film developing, lottery tickets, 2 day movie rentals (Monday to Thursday, movies are $1.99; Friday to Sunday, movies are $2.49), and double manufacturing coupons EVERYDAY.

Wednesdays are Senior Citizen Discount Days!

Like Lovejoy’s on Facebook by going HERE.

For more information on Lovejoy’s IGA, visit their web site HERE.

Lovejoy’s is open 7 days a week from 7 am to 9 pm.

Remember, we hope you will shop locally and support locally owned businesses here in our community!

Click on each of the pages of the ad to enlarge them. When they show up on a separate page, click again to make the pages even bigger. You can also print them out and take them with you when you go shopping!