The Essentials of a Home Pharmacy
The spread of SARS CoV-2 that causes the infectious disease COVID-19 has become a global epidemic, unprecedented in our time. Extensive lockdowns, restrictions, and other precautionary measures from local governments and guidelines from international institutions are being applied. People are advised to stay at home, keep physical distance, wear protective equipment, and obliged to keep sanitary and personal hygiene. The significance of maintaining good mental health cannot be underestimated; thus, it is encouraged to consciously train the mind to remain calm and to sustain social connections, e.g. virtually. Various online sites and local and international support centres offer detailed information about how to protect oneself during pandemic (1).
As there is no clarity about the duration of the crisis, it is important to be aware of things you can do to be in charge of you and your family’s health. Having a well-equipped pharmacy at home is a necessity that helps to provide basic first aid when needed and, no less importantly, adds to a sense of security and control. The following list acts as a reminder and kind suggestion about the essential medical supplies that should be available at home during precautionary restrictions.
At basic level a home pharmacy kit should contain the following:
● Analgesics and antipyretics. A household should include 2–3 different types of basic painkillers and temperature lowering agents (e.g. acetaminophen/paracetamol and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen), depending on personal suitability and preferences. Consider adding different dosage forms apart from the conventional tablet formulation to the kit, such as dispersible tablets, syrups, suspensions, and rectal suppositories. Alternative choices may become useful in case of difficulties in swallowing, relieving pain or fever in infants, children, the elderly, or wish to modify the analgesic effect. The kit should include a working thermometer for measuring body temperature.
● Gastrointestinal medications. Various problems can affect the digestive tract, most common being flatulence, reflux, spasms, constipation, diarrhoea, and vomiting. For bloating, it is advisable to have readily available anti-gas products such as simethicone. Symptoms of hyperacidity and reflux disease can be reduced with neutralizing antacids. The cramps of smooth muscles in the digestive tract can be relieved with spasmolytic drugs or with natural remedies, such as chamomilla. The first recommendation for treatment of constipation is to increase fluid and fibre intake with moderate exercise; for more serious problems, choose from locally available over-the-counter medications in discussion with the pharmacist. In case of diarrhoea and vomiting, it is of utmost importance to ensure sufficient hydration and replenishment of electrolytes. Seek various formulations of salts provided in pharmacies.
● Wound care products. Depending on the skin wound, it may require a specific approach. However, the basics of first aid for damaged skin are cleaning, disinfection, and closing the wound. Cleaning can be done with pure water and rinsed with specific isotonic physiological saline (0,9% NaCl solution). It should then be disinfected with an antiseptic solution, spray, or gel. Clean, preferably sterile, tampons, bandages, and scissors should be contained in the first aid kit. To reduce the inflammation, apply cold compress onto the damaged and covered area. This could be done with a special ice compress that is stored in the refrigerator. Hydrogels based on tea tree oil can provide effective relief in the case of mild skin burns. Pain can be relieved with suitable analgesic agents, e.g. paracetamol.
● Allergy medications. A variety of over-the-counter antihistamines and low-concentration glucocorticoid-containing creams are available to alleviate allergy symptoms. The appropriate option is determined by the patient’s age and type, location, and cause of allergy.
● Medications for chronic disease. Ensure there is a sufficient supply of medications for personal chronic health problems. In case of certain cardio-metabolic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, or hypercholesterolemia, guarantee there is operational readiness to follow relevant health indicators. The medical devices may include monitors for measuring blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol.
The personal home pharmacy kit should be readily available for use and stored safely away in a cool, dark, and dry place, out of the reach of children. Household members should be aware of its designated location, content, and handling. The instructions on patient information leaflets must be carefully followed. A well-equipped kit contains a contact list of healthcare specialists: pharmacist, general practitioner, medical information helpline, and possibly poisons information centre. In case of doubt about self-medication, it is advisable to contact them. It is recommended to revise the content of the kit regularly, disposing medications that are expired in accordance with local biosafety guidelines, and substitute if necessary.
Described above is a suggestive and non-exhaustive list of contents for a personal pharmacy kit and depends greatly on a variety of factors such as the users, countries, local traditions, pharmaceutical supplies, and specific medical cases. Nonetheless, as humanity is facing versatile challenges worldwide, it is advisable to profoundly contemplate on personal supplies for self-medication and ensure control over one’s health.
References
1. World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. [Online] 13 April 2020. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.
Written by Kadri Sirkas
MSc Pharm University of Tartu
Former community pharmacist
Postgraduate student of industrial pharmacy at University of Helsinki
Member of Pharmaceutical Society of University of Tartu
A member of the One Young World Healthcare working group
