I’m travelling interstate next month and the temperature at my destination is hotter than I’m used to. Will this affect my diabetes management and medication?
Some medications, including insulin, do need to be stored below a certain temperature, so it’s always a good idea to ask your pharmacist if in doubt. Also remember that blood glucose control can be affected by temperature, while testing strips can be damaged by temperature extremes, either hot or cold. So, whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, if you’re taking medication to help manage it and need to test your blood glucose levels regularly, ask your pharmacist before you travel for their advice. It’s also a good opportunity to make sure you have enough medication to take with you, to cover you for the entire time you’ll be away from home.
You might also like to ask your TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacist about the Dose Administration Aid, which is a service pharmacies offer to sort and pre-pack your medication doses into times of day and days of the week. If you take a few different medications, it can make it easier to remember what to take when travelling.
What should I pack in my holiday first-aid kit?
This depends a little on where you’re going on holiday, but a few staples to consider including are a topical antiseptic and wound coverings, so you can treat any cuts or scrapes; a mild pain reliever, in case you get a headache or other mild pain; insect repellent to minimise the risk of mosquito bites; an alcohol hand sanitiser, such as 24 Daily Instant Hand Sanitiser, which kills 99.99 per cent of germs and is the ideal size to take on a plane; and sunscreen. The TerryWhite Chemmart Dry Touch SPF 50+ Sunscreen is a great family friendly option. It’s suitable for all skin types, is lightweight and fast absorbing, and comes in a family sized, easy-to-use pump pack.
It’s helpful to pre-pack medication into doses
I can’t find a script for one of my meds and, being such a busy time, I’d prefer not to visit my GP if I don’t have to. Is there anything I can do?
Unfortunately, without a script, a pharmacist will be unable to give you the medication, so if you can’t find your original script, you will need to visit your doctor to get a new one.
To avoid this happening again, one solution is to manage scripts using the TerryWhite Chemmart Health App. This not only lets you leave your script with your TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacist for safekeeping, it also makes remembering to fill any recurring scripts a breeze.
As well as reminding you to fill a script, and chasing you if you forget, by using the ‘tap to refill’ function you can order via the app to skip the queue. This comes in handy when you are pushed for time, as many of us are in the lead-up to Christmas.
The app also has other uses, such as storing info on which medications to take when, and in what dose. You can even order National Diabetes Services Scheme products.
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