Pharmacies are advising their patients to store their medicines safely as we expect significant increases in temperature over the bank holiday weekend.
The Met Office is predicting temperatures to exceed 30 degrees in some parts of the UK in the coming days, making it one of the hottest May bank holidays on record and the UK Health Security Agency has issued Heat Health alerts for much of England.
Pharmacies are advising patients to take steps to make sure their medicines are kept below 25° C if they are able to, unless storage instructions state it needs to be kept at an alternative temperature, such as drugs that need to be refrigerated.
The National Pharmacy Association represents around 6000 independent community pharmacies.
Most medicines that need to be kept at room temperature should be stored in a cool dry place, away from heat zones and direct sunlight.
When temperatures climb medicine can lose its effectiveness, or in some cases, cause unwanted side effects.
Temperatures are predicted to hit record levels in some places over the weekend.
Pharmacists warn that it is not just during a heatwave that medicines need to be stored carefully. Most medicines should routinely be kept in areas that do not exceed 25 degrees.
Pharmacists are also reminding patients to take precautions in the hot weather, including keeping curtains and windows in direct sunlight closed in the hottest hours of the day, drinking plenty of fluids and wearing appropriate clothing and sun protection when outdoors.
People with asthma should also remember to take their preventor inhalers, with warmer weather being a trigger for asthmatic symptoms.
Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association and pharmacist said:
“As we enter a bank holiday weekend with potentially record-breaking temperatures, it’s important that people take practical steps to protect their health.
“Although we can enjoy hot weather, heatwaves can quietly affect our bodies, our breathing, and even the way our medication works
“It's important we take sensible precautions, including double checking that your medication is stored correctly in a cool dry place as per any storage instructions, ideally below 25 degrees, as well drinking plenty of fluids and keeping your home cool in the hottest hours of the day.
“We know the hot weather can be more of a challenge for older people or those with certain health conditions and it’s important people check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours during this period.
“If anyone has concerns at all about their health or their medication, please speak to your local pharmacy who will be well placed to help.”
