Country for PR: United Kingdom
Contributor: PR Newswire Europe
Thursday, July 08 2021 - 18:00
AsiaNet
COVID pandemic heightens a lack of confidence amongst the public about which medicines to take and how to use them
NYON, Switzerland, July 8, 2021 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/

New campaign, Let's treat it right, launches as online searches for self-care 
surge globally[1], as people take more responsibility for their everyday 
health.  

Today sees the launch of Let's treat it right, a major new health education 
campaign designed to bridge a knowledge gap and unlock health benefits for 
millions of people[2]. The campaign aims to support the responsible use of 
everyday medicines such as dosing advice for individuals or family members 
including children and the elderly, as part of self-care and family care 
regimes.
 
Information and resources for both the public and for pharmacists and doctors 
to help support their conversations on the topic can be found on the new 
campaign website – www.letstreatitright.com.

With more people now treating themselves at home, increasing numbers have 
questions and concerns when it comes to using over the counter medicines the 
right way. The issue was highlighted by a recent study supported by GSK[2] 
which revealed that 80% of Europeans accept that it is their responsibility to 
manage their own health and are willing to do so,3 yet only two in ten feel 
confident to actually do this.[3]  Supporting this, in the past two years, 
searches for 'self-care' and 'treat at home' have risen by 33% and 58% 
respectively[1], highlighting the need for improved patient resources regarding 
health self-management.

One area of health that is particularly in focus is the management of pain. 
According to The Global Pain Index, over three quarters (77%) of people asked 
wished they could control their pain better.[4] Back pain and shoulder pain are 
also among the top three most common causes of virtual doctor visits.[5] But, 
confusion about the responsible use of medicines extends beyond pain to all 
areas of everyday health and improved public understanding could reduce the 
burden on health systems, for example in helping to manage the number of doctor 
visits.[2] As a direct result of the pandemic, positive change is already being 
seen in this area of self-care with almost half of Europeans (41%) planning to 
consult their pharmacists more often[6], rather than wait for a doctor's 
appointment. 

At launch, Let's treat it right is focussed on the responsible use of pain 
medicines with the vision to extend to other areas of everyday health over the 
next year. Pain is one of the most common medical areas in which people seek 
information about ways to self-manage with medication. The campaign, supported 
by the makers of trusted healthcare brands Panadol and Voltaren, aims to 
provide clear and practical advice to the public about the right use of pain 
medicines, including individual needs, how much is right to take, and how to 
dispose of and store their pain medication safely and correctly. 
The campaign contains information on four key topics – The Right Need, The 
Right Dose, The Right Storage and The Right Disposal – available on the website 
and to be shared on social media channels. 

As well as supporting the public, Let's treat it right is also intended as a 
resource for health experts on the frontline, the millions of pharmacists and 
doctors who prescribe and support responsible medicines' use for patients and 
customers.  

Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and Clinical Director of Patient.info says, "As a GP, I get 
many questions about the right way to use everyday medicines that are available 
over the counter. You can find a lot of information online, but it is not 
always easy to know which sources to trust. That is why I welcome the launch of 
initiatives like Let's Treat it Right. The campaign provides people with 
trusted information and advice, for example answering the concerns of parents 
who have questions about medicine dosage for their children, and elderly 
patients who are taking medicines for other health conditions. This will allow 
people to better manage their pain themselves and do so in a responsible 
manner. I believe that this approach to pain management will help to relieve 
pressure on healthcare systems and have a positive impact on society globally."

Lars-Ake Söderlund, Executive Committee Member, the International 
Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), commented: "The COVID-19 pandemic has led to 
more people taking responsibility for managing their own health and seeking 
information in order to do so. Pharmacists, as trusted healthcare professionals 
who are most accessible to the public, are the first (and often preferred) 
source of reliable, evidence-based advice and care. Seeking support from 
pharmacists on over-the-counter pain management is highly beneficial and 
recommended."

Theresa Agnew, Global Head of Pain Relief Category at GSK Consumer Healthcare 
said: "Accelerated by the global pandemic, we find ourselves in charge of our 
health and wellbeing like never before. We want to empower and support 
consumers when it comes to the responsible use of medicines and support the 
millions of pharmacists and doctors in their crucial role in this. We need to 
bridge the knowledge gap and rolling out the Let's treat it right campaign is 
an important step towards achieving that."

Notes to editors

The campaign is funded by GSK Consumer Healthcare, the maker of trusted brands 
Panadol and Voltaren. Anyone using our products should always use medicines as 
directed in the product label. If in any doubt, a doctor or pharmacist should 
be consulted for advice.

GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help 
people do more, feel better, live longer. For further information please visit 
www.gsk.com/about-us 

1 Google Trends Data. June 2021. Last accessed June 2021. 
https://trends.google.co.uk/trends/explore?date=2019-06-01%202021-06-10&q=self%20care,Treat%20at%20home 

2 The Health-Economic Benefits of Self-care in Europe. Published by Vintura. 
Supported by GSK. 
https://assets.gskstatic.com/corporate/Health-Economic-Study/GSK_report_summary-FINAL.pdf. 
Last accessed June 2021.
3 The EPOSSI Barometer: Consumer Perceptions of self-care in Europe. EPPOSI, 
2013. Available at: 
https://epposi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/EPPOSI-Self-Care-Barometer-Report-2013-EN.pdf. 
Last accessed June 2021.
4 GSK Global Pain Index (GPI) 4 Report, March 2020. Last accessed June 2021. 
Promotion PM-GL-VOLT-20-00166. 
5 What Covid-19 Taught Us About Telemedicine; The pandemic gave doctors a crash 
course in what does and doesn't work. Among the lessons: a good webside manner 
is crucial. The Wall Street Journal, 28 March 2021. Last accessed June 2021.
6 COVID-19 prompts increased focus on self-care. GSK Consumer Healthcare and 
IPSOS. July 2020. Last accessed June 2021: COVID-19 prompts increased focus on 
self-care | GSK 
(https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/resource-centre/covid-19-prompts-increased-focu
s-on-self-care/)

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Source:  GSK Consumer Healthcare