PharmaZana

03/12/2025

I had my annual eye examination today at Ferrier & Mackinnon Optometrists (fmoptom.com) in Inverkeithing, where retinal imaging is included as standard in their comprehensive eye care.

During the appointment, the optician showed me the scan of my own retina — a healthy macula and clear fovea with no signs of retinopathy or vascular changes. Seeing my own scan explained in real time made the clinical relevance even more tangible.

This ties directly into the work I’m currently doing:
I’m running diabetes reviews across London this week (as part of my NHS-contracted diabetes NSS clinics). One of the key monitoring criteria I must check is whether each patient has attended their annual diabetic retinal screening.

Today’s scan was a reminder of why this is so important for people with Type 2 diabetes:
• Diabetic retinopathy is silent early on — patients often have no symptoms until changes are advanced.
• Chronic hyperglycaemia damages the small vessels in the retina, leading to microaneurysms, haemorrhages and macular changes.
• Early detection through annual screening (NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme) prevents avoidable sight loss.
• NICE NG28 and SIGN 154 both include diabetic retinal screening as essential monitoring for adults with Type 2 diabetes.

Seeing my own healthy retina provided a useful contrast with the pathology we look for in practice, and it’s a powerful way to educate patients on why screening matters.

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22/10/2025

✨ Rebuilding My Core — From the Ground Up ✨

After losing 4.5 stone, I realised my core wasn’t just weak — it wasn’t activating properly. I could lift weights, but I couldn’t truly engage my deep core muscles. So, I went right back to the foundation.

I hired Katie (), as my core coach at Bannatyne Health Club Fife, to help me retrain my core from scratch. Over the past 7 weeks, she’s designed a progressive programme to build strength, stability, and proper activation — not just “ab workouts”.

We’ve focused on training the core across all three planes of movement:
🟣 Sagittal (forward–back): planks, bird dogs, dead bugs, and their many variations
🟢 Frontal (side-to-side): side planks and landmine raises to each side
🔵 Transverse (rotational): Russian twists, standing cable rotations, and squats with rotation

Each exercise targets a different part of the abdomen — upper, lower, side (obliques) — and challenges control, not just strength. Every week I’ve been able to progress, and it’s incredible to finally feel my core switching on.

It’s a reminder that true strength isn’t built through shortcuts — it’s built through mastering the basics and respecting the process.

19/12/2024

This powerful image shows the internal differences between a woman at 250 lbs and the same woman at 125 lbs, illustrating how body composition affects the structure and function of the body.

On the left (250 lbs), there is a significant amount of yellow tissue, representing fat mass. This includes both subcutaneous fat (under the skin) and visceral fat (fat surrounding the organs). Visceral fat is particularly concerning because it wraps around key organs like the liver, stomach, and intestines, increasing the risk of serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers. The larger volume of fat also compresses the organs, making them work harder and less efficiently.

By contrast, on the right (125 lbs), there is a far healthier distribution of lean muscle tissue (red areas) and a marked reduction in fat mass. The reduced visceral fat means less strain on the internal organs, improved metabolic health, and better overall function. The skeletal structure is also under less pressure, reducing stress on the knees, hips, and spine, which can help prevent joint pain and long-term damage such as arthritis.

Additionally, the leaner body composition seen on the right allows for greater mobility, flexibility, and physical endurance, contributing to an improved quality of life. Beyond aesthetics, the shift from higher fat mass to a balance of muscle and healthy fat promotes hormonal balance, better cardiovascular function, and reduced systemic inflammation.

This comparison highlights that weight loss isn’t just about numbers on a scale—it’s about improving body composition to enhance overall health. While every journey is different, even small, sustainable changes can lead to significant improvements in how your body functions and feels. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection. Keep moving forward!

13/12/2024

Understanding Methylphenidate Formulations 💊

When prescribing methylphenidate for ADHD, choosing the right formulation is crucial for managing symptoms effectively throughout the day.

Each formulation varies in how quickly it reaches peak concentration and its duration of action, so tailoring treatment to the patient’s routine is key.

If a formulation has a shorter immediate-release percentage, it means:

1. Slower Initial Onset:
• The immediate-release portion delivers the drug quickly after ingestion. A smaller percentage means less of the medication acts immediately, leading to a slower onset of action.

2. Prolonged Gradual Release:
• A higher extended-release portion takes over, releasing the medication gradually over a longer period. This provides sustained therapeutic effects with fewer peaks and troughs in drug levels.

3. Implications for Symptom Control:
• Suitable for patients needing steady symptom management throughout the day rather than an immediate effect. For example, Concerta XL (22% immediate, 78% extended) is designed for all-day coverage, making it ideal for school or work environments.

4. Clinical Considerations:
• If a patient requires quick symptom control (e.g., morning focus), a formulation with a higher immediate-release percentage may be better, like Medikinet XL (50% immediate, 50% extended).

Choosing the right formulation depends on the patient’s daily routine and symptom patterns. A lower immediate-release percentage suits those who need long-lasting, steady control without abrupt surges in effect.

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11/12/2024

🌬️ New Asthma Guidelines 2024: Key Updates for HCPs 🌬️

The latest joint guideline by NICE, BTS/SIGN redefines how we approach asthma care, diagnosis, and management. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s changed:

✅ Diagnosis First: Objective tests (like FeNO & spirometry) are now essential for confirming asthma. Don’t delay treatment while waiting for test results!

💊 No More SABA Alone: A major shift towards combination inhalers (LABA/ICS) at every stage, with formoterol-based MART (Maintenance & Reliever Therapy) being the cornerstone of treatment.

🗓️ Ongoing Monitoring: Regular reviews every 6 months (or more for those struggling), with tools like FeNO and eosinophil counts guiding therapy adjustments.

📝 Personalised Action Plans: Clear guidance on symptom recognition, maintenance therapy, and when to step up. Patients with action plans see better outcomes, fewer hospital visits, and improved quality of life.

🌍 Environment Matters: Inhaler choices now include considerations for carbon footprint reduction while prioritising optimal care.

Whether you’re managing patients in primary or secondary care, this comprehensive update will guide you in delivering evidence-based, patient-centred care. 💡

👩‍⚕️ Save this post and share it with your team! Let’s adapt together to improve asthma outcomes.



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11/12/2024

11/12/2024

🎓 Women’s Health Courses I’m Studying Right Now!

Many of you have been sliding into my DMs asking what I’m currently learning to upskill in women’s health, so here’s the full list! 📝 Whether you’re a fellow pharmacist, healthcare professional, or just curious about my journey, these courses are packed with insights and practical knowledge:

✨ Morph Women’s Health Academy
Free webinars over 6 months—a great resource for staying updated on key women’s health topics.

✨ i2i F2F Women’s Health Clinic Summit
This course is a game changer! 💡 It includes:
• Access to the i2i competency framework on SMART platform.
• FREE 12-month access to Newson Health’s Confidence in Menopause course after completing the summit.

✨ Red Whale Women’s Health Course
This one-day online course offers on-demand access for a whole year and comes with a printed handbook—perfect for practical application. ✅

I’ve chosen these because they align with my commitment to delivering the best care for women’s health patients while staying ahead in clinical practice. 💪

➡️ If you’re thinking of expanding your own knowledge in women’s health, I highly recommend these courses! Got any questions? Drop them below or DM me. 📩