The Ever Changing Community Pharmacy

Introduction

Rather than writing on personal life stories, this blog focuses on summarising essential facts within the ever-changing medical field.

• While medical practices evolve gradually, they can differ significantly 5 years down the line.
  

Hence, this prompts me to ponder each time I access the blog - where should I begin to revise and enhance?

• As time passes, I might lack the time and determination to sustain this effort.

The Evolving Pharmacy Landscape

In today's community pharmacies, numerous supplements have surfaced in the market that were unheard of during my university years.

• Retinol in skin care products helps to reduce the signs of aging, such as wrinkles.
• Thiamidol reduces dark spots and reduces the reappearance of dark spots.
• Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of allergic diseases, such as asthma, eczema and food allergies.
• Oral lactoferrin supplementation may lead to an overall imporvement in mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
• Butyric acid supplementation may be beneficial in irritable bowel syndrome.
• The undenatured form of type II collagen (UC-II) has displayed greater efficacy compared to the commonly used glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate supplements for joint health.
• Furthermore, the native (undenatured) type II collagen form requires doses as low as 40 mg/day, while hydrolysed collagen demands 10 g/day.
• Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) helps maintain muscle balance by reducing muscle breakdown associated with aging, illness, and immobility.
• Probiotics, initially associated with gut health benefits, now reveal strains that can effectively lower LDL cholesterol levels in the human body.
• Magnesium L-threonate shows promising potential for improving brain cognitive functions due to higher absorption to brain.

The list goes on.

Choosing the Right Product

Presently, we confront the challenge of selecting a product from a multitude of options.

• Each product boasts appealing properties, yet lacks a direct comparison to ascertain the superior choice.

Nevertheless, I hold onto few convictions.

• There are many supplements on the market that use the same patented ingredients, just with a different mix.
• It is unwise to recommend switching supplements when a customer is benefiting from his current regimen, unless necessary.
• The product choice should be made on sound clinical judgment based on the ingredients, instead of solely from price perspective. Hence, it is important to perform own research on evidences to fight against arguments.
• New supplements are being introduced to the market all the time, but choose products from reputable companies. Most importantly, the supplements should be registered with NPRA.
• The effectiveness of supplements varies greatly from person to person, and their benefits can only be determined through individual trial and error. If there is no noticeable benefits from a supplement after a few months of use, consider trying a different product.
• Nonetheless, customer feedbacks from who have experimented with a product proves to be invaluable.

Summary

Product recommendations by community pharmacists should not be sale-driven, but service-driven.

• Pharmacists should focus on providing their customers with the best possible care and advice, not on making sales.

External Links

• Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety, 2006
  
• Efficacy and tolerability of oral lactoferrin supplementation in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: an exploratory study, 2011
  
• Butyric acid in irritable bowel syndrome, 2013
  
• Effect of calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (CaHMB) with and without resistance training in men and women 65+yrs: a randomized, double-blind pilot trial, 2013
  
• Microencapsulated sodium butyrate reduces the frequency of abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, 2013
  
• The impact of Vitamin D deficiency on asthma, allergic rhinitis and wheezing in children: An emerging public health problem, 2014
• Vitamin D and the development of allergic disease: how important is it?, 2015
  
• Assessment of clinical effects and safety of an oral supplement based on marine protein, vitamin C, grape seed extract, zinc, and tomato extract in the improvement of visible signs of skin aging in men, 2015
  
• Undenatured Type II Collagen (UC-II) in Joint Health and Disease: A Review on the Current Knowledge of Companion Animals, 2020
  
• Thiamidol containing treatment regimens in facial hyperpigmentation: An international multi-centre approach consisting of a double-blind, controlled, split-face study and of an open-label, real-world study, 2020
  
• Functional Characterization of Undenatured Type II Collagen Supplements: Are They Interchangeable?, 2021
• Myo-inositol for insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome and gestational diabetes, 2022
  
• A Magtein®, Magnesium L-Threonate, -Based Formula Improves Brain Cognitive Functions in Healthy Chinese Adults, 2022
  
• An Update on the Effects of Vitamin D on the Immune System and Autoimmune Diseases, 2022
• The Mechanism of Probiotics in Preventing the Risk of Hypercholesterolemia, 2023
  
• The Effects of Probiotics on Cholesterol Levels in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review, 2023