Modern living's top medicine needs

LOSING weight, constipation, wrist and joint pain, allergies and stress-related conditions like heartburn top the list of conditions for which people most regularly seek help from their pharmacists in Port Elizabeth.

Klinicare boss Deon Schoeman – who has 12 pharmacies around the city – said he regularly received complaints if he did not include medicines for these conditions in advertisements.

Schoeman said that he had recently received many inquiries about Dr Tim Noakes's low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet.

"I had 150 copies of his book The Real Meal Revolution in stock and they sold out very quickly. I have ordered more."

He said Port Elizabeth had become known for its high allergen count.

"The demand for allergy medicine spikes when the wind blows from Cape Recife. I think there are many people allergic to what the wind blows into the city. I have 40 nebulisers in my pharmacy that we rent out and I notice that when there is an easterly wind blowing, the demand for those machines is very high."

Schoeman said heartburn was one of the most prevalent stress- related conditions that he was asked about.

A national poll among pharmacists, conducted by pharmaceutical company Pharma Dynamics recently, revealed a steep rise in the number of South Africans complaining of heartburn and acid reflux of late.

According to Pharma Dynamics, the prevalence of heartburn and symptoms associated with acid reflux had risen dramatically over the last decade.

Currently more than 1.5 million South Africans suffer from this uncomfortable condition daily.

Schoeman said that after a scheduling status change for heartburn medicine, pharmacists were now able to offer clients the latest development in these medicines.

"The group of medicines [limit] the amount of acid the stomach produces. You previously needed a prescription for this type of medicine. Now we are allowed to give you 14 days' supply. If it doesn't help we will recommend you see a gastroenterologist."

He said most sufferers could however benefit from a lifestyle change. - Estelle Ellis