Rashes cause a great deal of concern to parents and are often dismissed as either inconsequential or confusing by health care practitioners. While the majority of rashes have trivial consequences, others are manifestations of serious and potentially fatal disease.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a significant health risk to individuals and communities living in Commonwealth countries. The two regions reported to have the highest adult prevalence rates are sub-Saharan Africa (8.8%) and the Caribbean (2.4%)^1. It is appropriate and timely that the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA) issues a statement concerning the role of the pharmacist in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The PSSA, as a member of the CPA, fully supports the statement. Much of what the CPA recommends has already been initiated in South Africa.

Diagnosis and current management options

Half of the population experiences headaches at least once a month, 15% once a week and 5% of patients have headaches every day of their lives.¹ The lifetime prevalence of migraine is approximately 19% for women and 6% for men, thus accounting for a large proportion of patients suffering from headache². Females around the age of 40 have the highest prevalence (24%) of migraine.³ The mean frequency of migraine attacks is 1.5 attacks per month, but it is important to stress that at least 10% of patients suffering from migraine will have one attack per week. Migraine is therefore a major reason for time lost from work and resulting medical expenses due to headaches.

Influencing behaviour is an everyday responsibility for pharmacists. As managers they delegate to others and create conditions in which the work can be done, efficiently and effectively. This is similar to their professional obligation to influence patient medication-taking behaviour.<

This month’s FORUM features abstracts from the 2003 conference and will give readers insight into the wide variety of topics that are discussed and debated each year.

Thanks to GlaxoSmithKline, I recently attended a session on HIV/AIDS at the Joint Population Conference organised by the Demographic Association of South Africa. The economic impact of HIV/AIDS is obviously a depressing topic. The health and social consequences are even worse. It’s obviously important, especially with World AIDS Day approaching on 1 December, to look at what can and is being done.

The Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (FPE) was established in 1966 to promote Pharmaceutical Education by means of the procurement of funds for the provision of awards as scholarships or bursaries and administering them.

Cleopatra knew that perfumes made from certain plants had an aphrodisiac effect. Hippocrates used aromatics and massage in his practice. Myrrh was brought to Jesus as a gift by one of the three wise men from the East. Frankincense was another gift to the Christ child. Parsley is often used to freshen breath, lavender to soothe and rosemary to lift the spirits … essential oils have a history that dates back many centuries.