Rub shoulders with Kerri Barwick MPS (centre) and other members of team PSA at CPC24[/caption]
The use of insulin, considered a high-risk medication with APINCHs classification,5 Ms Barwick notes, provides justification for a Home Medicines Review (HMR). ‘There’s an advantage to going into the home to observe the patient’s diet, consider potential interactions, and educate patients on the best effects and outcomes,’ she says.
Advice around cleaning blood glucose level (BGL) monitors to ensure accuracy can also be provided. ‘Pharmacists can explain how to put test drops through and clean blood spills on the monitor, common in pregnancy due to higher blood volume,’ says Ms Barwick.
With only 50% of women diagnosed with GDM receiving tests for heart disease and type 2 diabetes post-pregnancy,6 HMRs can be beneficial at this stage of the journey, too.
‘Along with conversations around diet choices, exercise regimes and sleep, I also explain how often testing is required over the next 5–10 years, and how to monitor for signs of the development of diabetes,’ Ms Barwick advises.
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
The presence of iron in pregnancy multivitamins may exacerbate symptoms of nausea and vomiting in some pregnancies, according to Ms Barwick.
‘Pharmacists can recommend a trial cessation of the iron component of pregnancy vitamins, often unnecessary in pregnancy,’ she says.
In 2020, photographer Bobbi Lockyer created a Birthing on Country project to highlight and create awareness around birthing issues and outcomes in Aboriginal women. For more, see 
Suzanne Nielsen MPS[/caption]
Case Scenario
Justin, a 25-year-old male, presents to your pharmacy to fill a repeat prescription for valaciclovir 500 mg tablets, which he uses for episodic management of genital herpes. As you are counselling him, he reports that he has experienced six episodes so far this year.
He finds the symptoms to be quite severe, and it is beginning to have a negative impact on his overall health.
Justin wonders why he is experiencing so many episodes and asks you if there is anything else that he can do.
| Learning objectives
After reading this article, pharmacists should be able to: • Describe the transmission of herpes simplex virus • Describe the symptoms of genital herpes • Describe the difference between initial, episodic and suppressive treatment for genital herpes. Competencies assessed (2016): 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5 Accreditation code: CAP2212CDMES Accreditation expiry date 30/11/2025 |
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Introduction
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caus
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