PR90525

NYON, Switzerland, July 8, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/

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