Pharmaceutical Society - University of Peradeniya (2025)

28/07/2025

🩸 World Hepatitis Day-July 28, 2025
🎯 There’s No Time to Waste

Hepatitis is a silent disease that damages your liver, often without any warning signs. By the time you notice symptoms, it might be too late. But the good news? We can stop it.

🚨 Why this matters to you and your loved ones
🔹 Over 350 million people live with hepatitis worldwide
🔹 Every year, 1.3 million people die from it
🔹 Most of them never even knew they had it
🔹 Testing and treatment are available but too few know

🦠 How does hepatitis spread?
⭕Sharing needles or razors
⭕Unsafe s*x
⭕Contaminated food or water
⭕From mother to baby during birth
⭕Poor hygiene or unclean tattoo tools

🛡️ How can you protect yourself?
✅ Get vaccinated (for Hepatitis A & B)
✅ Use protection during s*x
✅ Avoid sharing personal items
✅ Drink clean water and eat safely
✅ Always choose safe healthcare and tattooing practices

🩺 If you already exposed or worried? Here’s what to do

⚫Don’t panic. Get tested.
⚫If you're positive, start treatment early care can save your liver
⚫Follow your doctor’s advice and avoid alcohol
⚫Stay informed and protect those around you

💛 One test. One vaccine. One message could save a life.
Maybe even your own.
Talk to your family. Talk to your friends.
Don't wait for symptoms. Don’t wait for change.
⏳ There’s no time to waste.

📢

27/06/2025

🧠💙 PTSD Awareness Day – June 27 💙🧠
Break the Silence. End the Stigma.

Every year on June 27th, the world recognizes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day to shed light on a condition that affects millions yet often goes unseen.

🌟 What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It can affect anyone regardless of age, background, or occupation.

💥 Common Symptoms Include:
🔹 Flashbacks or nightmares
🔹 Emotional numbness or detachment
🔹 Anxiety, irritability, or depression
🔹 Trouble sleeping or concentrating

🧩 You Are Not Alone
PTSD is not a sign of weakness it’s a response to overwhelming stress. With support, therapy, and awareness, healing is possible.

💚 How Can You Help?
✅ Learn about PTSD
✅ Listen without judgment
✅ Encourage professional support
✅ Share this message to end the stigma

💬 “Not all wounds are visible.”

This June 27th, let’s stand together for those silently struggling. Your awareness can be someone’s hope. 💙

26/06/2025

🚫 International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking – June 26 🌍

Say NO to drugs, say YES to life! ❌💊 Drug abuse destroys health 🏥, careers 💼, and families ❤️. Don't fall for myths ,drugs are NOT an escape, NOT harmless, and NOT a solution! Instead, they lead to addiction, mental health struggles 🧠, and even fatal consequences ⚠️.

Let’s stand together to create a drug-free world! 🚀✨

14/06/2025

🩸 International Blood Donor Day – June 14 ❤️

Your blood donation can save lives! 🏥 Every drop counts in helping accident victims 🚑, surgery patients 🏨, and those with medical conditions like anemia. A single donation can help multiple people in need! 💪💉

🚫 Common Myths & Truths About Blood Donation:
❌ Myth: Donating blood makes you weak.
✅ Truth: Your body replenishes the donated blood within a few days! 💪

❌ Myth: You can get infections from donating blood.
✅ Truth: Blood donation is completely safe, with sterile, single-use equipment. 🏥

❌ Myth: Only rare blood types are needed.
✅ Truth: All blood types are essential and save lives! ❤️

Giving blood is safe, simple, and life-changing. Be a hero today—donate blood and give the gift of life! ❤️🙌

31/05/2025

🚭 World No To***co Day 2025
“Unmasking the Appeal Exposing Industry Tactics on To***co and Ni****ne Products.”

To***co 🚬 kills over 8 million people every year yet the industry keeps targeting our youth 👦👧 with flashy ads, flavored products 🍭, and social media tricks 📱.

This year, we take a stand ✊ to protect the next generation from addiction and harm.

🧠 Educate
📢 Advocate
💪 Take Action

Say ❌ to to***co.
Say ✅ to health, hope, and a brighter future 🌱🌍.

Let’s build a world where every child grows up safe, strong, and to***co-free 💖👶.

***coDay

12/05/2025

Happy International Nurses Day! 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Today, we celebrate and thank all the incredible nurses around the world for their tireless dedication, compassion, and hard work in caring for others. Your commitment to healing, supporting, and making a difference in people's lives is truly inspiring. 🌍💖

Thank you for always going above and beyond, especially in challenging times. 🙏 Your efforts are deeply appreciated and never go unnoticed. 🌟

08/05/2025

World Thalassemia Day 2025: Raising Awareness on Thalassemia 🩸

Every year, on May 8th, the world observes World Thalassemia Day to raise awareness about this genetic blood disorder that affects millions globally. In 2025, the theme is "Universal Access to Quality Thalassemia Care: Building Bridges with and for Patients" 🌍. This theme emphasizes the importance of providing better care and treatment to patients with thalassemia worldwide.

🤔 What is Thalassemia?

Thalassemia is a genetic disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin, leading to excessive destruction of red blood cells, which results in anemia. People with thalassemia have a reduced ability to carry oxygen through their bodies, causing fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms.

🧬 Causes of Thalassemia

Thalassemia is caused by mutations in the genes that instruct the body on how to make hemoglobin. It is inherited from both parents, meaning a person must receive a defective gene from each parent to have the disease. This genetic disorder is more common in regions like the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of Africa.

🏥 How is Thalassemia Diagnosed?

Thalassemia is typically diagnosed through blood tests. Common diagnostic tests include:

📊 Complete Blood Count (CBC): To check for anemia and abnormal blood cells.

🧪 Hemoglobin Electrophoresis: To identify different types of hemoglobin and confirm thalassemia.

🧬 DNA Analysis: To detect mutations in the thalassemia genes.

⚠️ Prevention of Thalassemia

While thalassemia is a genetic disorder, it can be prevented through genetic counseling and screening, especially for individuals with a family history of the condition. Screening programs can help identify carriers (those who have one defective gene but do not have symptoms) before they have children. Couples with a risk of passing on thalassemia can consider prenatal testing options.

💉 Treatments for Thalassemia

While there is no universal cure for thalassemia, there are various treatments to manage the condition:

💉 Blood Transfusions: Regular transfusions help increase the number of healthy red blood cells in the body.

🧪 Chelation Therapy: To remove excess iron that accumulates from frequent blood transfusions.

🦠 Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplant: This is a potential cure for some patients, especially children, but is not available to all.

💊 Medications: To manage symptoms and complications such as iron overload.

By increasing awareness, advocating for better care, and supporting research, we can improve the quality of life for individuals with thalassemia and work towards finding a cure. 🌟

06/05/2025

🌍 World Asthma Day 2025

World Asthma Day is observed annually on the first Tuesday of May to raise awareness about asthma and improve care for those affected by the condition. In 2025, it falls on May 6th. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has chosen the theme "Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for ALL" to emphasize the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to essential asthma medications.

🫁 Understanding Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to breathing difficulties. Symptoms often include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. These can vary in severity and may change over time.

🔍 Causes of Asthma

The exact cause of asthma is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Common triggers include:

🏠 Indoor allergens: Dust mites, mold, pet dander.

🌳 Outdoor allergens: Pollen, mold spores.

🏭 Air pollutants: Smoke, strong odors.

🏃‍♂️ Physical activity: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

🤧 Respiratory infections: Colds, flu.

💊 Medications: Aspirin, beta-blockers.

Identifying and avoiding personal triggers is crucial in managing asthma.

🩺 Diagnosing Asthma

Asthma diagnosis involves a thorough medical history review and physical examination. Doctors may use lung function tests such as spirometry to assess airflow obstruction. These tests measure how much air you can inhale and exhale, and how quickly you can exhale.

🛡️ Preventing Asthma Attacks

To reduce the risk of asthma flare-ups:

💉 Vaccinations: Stay current with influenza and pneumonia vaccines to prevent respiratory infections that can trigger asthma.

🚫 Avoid triggers: Identify and minimize exposure to known allergens and irritants.

🏃‍♀️ Regular exercise: Engage in physical activity to strengthen the heart and lungs, which can help alleviate asthma symptoms.

💊 Asthma Treatments

While asthma cannot be cured, effective treatments are available:

🫁 Inhalers: Deliver medication directly to the lungs to control symptoms and prevent attacks.

💊 Medications: Inhaled corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation, while bronchodilators relax airway muscles to ease breathing.

📈 Monitoring: Regularly track symptoms and lung function to manage the condition effectively.

By increasing awareness and improving access to treatment, we can enhance the quality of life for individuals living with asthma.

25/04/2025

🌍 World Malaria Day 2025

World Malaria Day, observed annually on April 25th, serves as a pivotal moment to highlight global efforts in combating malaria a preventable and treatable disease that continues to impact millions worldwide.

🎯 2025 Theme: "Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria"

The theme for 2025 underscores the urgent need to expedite actions and strategies aimed at reducing malaria cases and deaths, emphasizing innovation, increased investment, and strengthened partnerships.

🦟 Causes of Malaria

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. There are five parasite species that cause malaria in humans, with P. falciparum and P. vivax posing the greatest threat.

🔬 Diagnosis of Malaria

Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Healthcare providers typically use blood tests to detect the presence of malaria parasites. These tests can determine:

📌The presence of the parasite in the blood.

📌The specific type of malaria parasite.

📌Parasite resistance to certain drugs.

Any serious complications arising from the infection.

🛡️ Prevention Strategies

Preventing malaria involves multiple approaches:

🛑Mosquito Control: Using insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying to reduce mosquito populations.

🛑Antimalarial Medications: Taking prophylactic antimalarial drugs when traveling to high-risk areas.

🛑Environmental Management: Eliminating standing water sources to disrupt mosquito breeding.

🛑Vaccination: In regions like Nigeria, vaccination campaigns have been initiated to protect young children from malaria.

💊 Treatment Options

Malaria is treated with prescription medications aimed at eliminating the parasite from the bloodstream. The choice of drug and treatment duration depend on factors such as:

The specific type of malaria parasite.

Severity of symptoms.

Patient's age and pregnancy status.

Common antimalarial drugs include:

Chloroquine phosphate: Preferred for sensitive parasites.

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs): Such as artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem), recommended for chloroquine-resistant malaria.

Prompt and effective treatment not only cures the individual but also helps prevent the spread of malaria within the community📢

By understanding the causes,recognizing symptoms, and implementing preventive measures, we can collectively work towards a malaria free world.

17/04/2025

🧬 What is Haemophilia?

Haemophilia is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder where the blood doesn’t clot properly due to missing or low levels of clotting factors. This leads to excessive bleeding, both internally and externally.

🧫 Causes of Haemophilia

🔬 Genetic Inheritance:
The disorder is passed from parents to children through mutations in clotting factor genes (Factor VIII or IX).

👨‍👩‍👦 Gender Link:
It primarily affects males, but females can be carriers and sometimes show symptoms.

🩺 How is Haemophilia Diagnosed?

📖 Medical History Review: Checking family history for bleeding disorders.

🩸 Blood Tests:
Measuring clotting factor levels to determine the type and severity.

👩‍⚕️ Physical Examination: Identifying symptoms like easy bruising or prolonged bleeding.

🚫 How to Prevent Haemophilia?

🧬 Genetic Counseling:
Helps families understand the risks and reproductive options.

👶 Prenatal Testing:
Can detect haemophilia before birth to plan early interventions.

⚠️ Injury Prevention:
People with haemophilia should avoid high-risk activities to prevent bleeding.

💊 Treatment Options for Haemophilia

💉 Replacement Therapy:
Regular infusions of clotting factor concentrates.

🩸 Desmopressin (DDAVP):
A synthetic hormone that boosts clotting factors in mild haemophilia A cases.

💊 Antifibrinolytic Medications :
Drugs like tranexamic acid help prevent clots from breaking down.

🧪 Gene Therapy:
A promising treatment that introduces functional genes to correct the disorder.

🤝 Let’s Raise Awareness!
This World Haemophilia Day, let’s ensure everyone, especially women and girls, has access to proper diagnosis, treatment, and care. Together, we can create a future with better health and equal care for all! 💙

Pharmaceutical Society - University of Peradeniya

28/07/2025

27/06/2025

26/06/2025

14/06/2025

31/05/2025

12/05/2025

08/05/2025

06/05/2025

25/04/2025

17/04/2025

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