Editorial

From the desk of the editor

Welcome to the first homepage edition of i2P for 2012.
In many ways it has been a slow start to the New Year because of having to deal with the “leftovers” from 2011.
One of those items for i2P was that a third-party provider to the site did not advise of a code change to the security section in our subscribe panel, creating a range of frustrated subscribers not able to get on board.
We apologise to all those potential subscribers who were unable to register with us in the second half of 2011, but if you try once more you should have no problem.

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Volume 2012 Number 1

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Food as Medicine

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	Peter Sayers articles by this author...
Peter Sayers is vitally concerned about pharmacy professional practice - its innovation, its research and development, and its delivery to create an ongoing revenue stream. Delivery of healthcare is increasingly involved with Information Technology systems. All perspectives in IT must be considered for the impact on pharmacy practice and its viability.

Many foods have health giving and medicinal properties.
Indeed, i2P reports frequently in its Preventive Medicine section, regular discoveries where food can be used to support various health conditions.
For example, raw beetroot juice has recently been found to be effective in treating high blood pressure (it contains nitrates) and is as effective as some antihypertensive drugs. Cinnamon is another food that is useful for diabetics, where cinnamon appears to have effects similar to metformin i.e. it sensitises insulin.
Ayurvedic medicine, developed in India over centuries, encompasses the use of many delicious foods enhanced with herbs and spices.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian healing system. The central philosophy is that illness is caused by an imbalance of the body's three vital energies, or 'doshas'. Ayurveda uses a range of treatments including yoga, massage, acupuncture and herbal medicine.
More information can be found at the Australian government site - HealthInsite. http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Ayurvedic_Medicine
For Ayurveda diet and health information that can get you started, try this site http://www.joyfulbelly.com

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Pharmacists are often criticised for not recommending dietary support in place of the sale of nutritional supplements. Often this relates more to the lack of a reliable supply of fresh organic foods and suitable recipes that can be worked into various recommendations.
The practicalities also involve expenditure of valuable resources that may or may not be better spent in some other area.
Some critics also want to see some supplements that are essentially food items, to be registered by the TGA.
And this is where the debate starts to take on a ridiculous aspect and commonsense is left behind.
Nobody can argue against the recommendation of fresh and nutritious food or its promotion.
Like the pharmacy illustrated in the news item below that linked the local organic market with the pharmacy and interested GP’s.
To me this is the active promotion of health and wellness rather than the traditional stance of only looking at illness.
Australian TV has illustrated the strong interest in food and its preparation through shows like Master Chef, which has an enormous following.
So too may you be able to “spice up” some of your local marketing and be seen to promote responsible health as well as provide some income support to local growers.
Improving the quality of diet within your catchment area through the consumption of organic foods must improve general health, simply by eradicating pesticides and herbicides from the daily intake.
The story below reported in Drug Store News may serve to stimulate a pharmacy developed health program that would generate local interest and support for your own health and wellness initiatives.

  Codman Square Health Center launches Fruit and Veggie Rx program

DORCHESTER, Mass. (Aug. 13) Codman Square Health Center on Thursday hosted a press conference to celebrate the launch of its pilot Fruit and Veggie Prescription program, a health initiative whereby physicians can prescribe vouchers for local farmers markets and then monitor the impact of the increased fruit and vegetable consumption on patients’ health.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino joined Bill Walzack, Codman Square CEO, Gus Schumacher, chairman of Wholesome Wave and Makael Constance, a young recipient of the program in welcoming more fruits and veggies into the community.

In addition to the press conference for the Fruit & Veggie Rx Program, Menino also welcomed Codman Square’s new pharmacy into the community by way of a ribbon cutting. The pharmacy is located on the ground floor of the Health Center.

Source: Drug Store News  http://www.drugstorenews.com/story.aspx?id=148949&menuid=793

At least this pharmacy is attracting some positive PR for its program.

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