We’re pleased to hear the vaccine is being rolled out for COVID-19 however we must not forget to still follow government guidelines and research for the virus must continue. This is why Whitworth has joined with the Principles Study to raise awareness of the research they are doing and signpost our patients.
The Principles Study is a nationwide clinical study from the University of Oxford to find COVID-19 treatments for the over 50’s that can be taken at home. Principle are looking for medicines that can help people with COVID-19 symptoms, get better quickly and stop them needing to go to hospital.
To take part in the study you need to be:
Experiencing symptoms that are likely to be caused by a COVID-19 infection, for fewer than 15 days:
a new continuous cough - this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual),
a high temperature - this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to take your temperature),
a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell
OR
You have had a positive test for COVID-19, ANDare unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 which have started in the last 14 days. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
shortness of breath,
general feeling of being unwell,
muscle pain, diarrhoea,
vomiting, fever and cough,
and you must have had them for fewer than 15 days.
The study is for people with ongoing symptoms. People who feel they are already well on the way to recovery should not take part.
You also need to be aged over 65, or aged 50 to 64 with at least one of the following conditions:
weakened immune system due to a serious illness or medication (e.g. chemotherapy),
heart disease or high blood pressure,
asthma or lung disease,
known diabetes,
liver disease,
stroke or neurological problem.
a BMI of 35 or above.
Our Superintendent Pharmacist, Jay Badenhorst, has made the following statement:
It is essential that we continue to fight the spread of COVID-19. However, in the event when someone gets infected, we need to find ways to help patients get better. Pharmacists are the experts in medicine and part of our role is to help people live healthier and longer lives. Community pharmacy is perfectly located to participate in the PRINCIPLE study as we serve patients from a variety of demographics and could help them get better quickly and stop them needing to go to hospital.
Whitworth is proudly taking part in this study and we will be signposting all suitable patients visiting our pharmacies to sign up. We will also be having social media campaigns to highlight this important study and refer suitable patients to PRINCIPLE, even if they do not visit our pharmacies.
If you would like to find out more about the study you can use the following contact details:
Read more about the study on the website: https://www.principletrial.org/
Email Principle at: principle@phc.ox.ac.uk
Or ring them on: 0800 138 0880
