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Celebrating National Self-Care Week: Empowering pharmacies to lead the charge in healthcare
As National Self-Care Week kicks off, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the changing landscape of self-care and the crucial role pharmacies play in this evolution. With this year’s theme, ‘Mind and Body’, there’s never been a better moment to highlight how pharmacies are positioned to empower individuals to take more control over their health.
At Maxwellia, we’re committed to driving this shift towards self-care by enabling pharmacies to offer more over-the-counter (OTC) options, giving their customers the ability to manage common health concerns with confidence. This isn’t just about offering products—it’s about providing solutions that benefit both the community and their business.
The rise of self-care: A changing healthcare landscape
The landscape of healthcare is shifting. Self-care is no longer seen as a secondary option for common health issues—it’s becoming the first choice for many people. The numbers tell a clear story: almost 4 in 5 adults suggested they would choose self-care as their first option when considering their approach to healthcare (1), and 77% of adults agree that people should take more responsibility for their own health to reduce the strain on the NHS (2).
This growing preference for self-care isn’t just about convenience. It’s about enabling individuals to feel more in control of their health, fostering a proactive approach. People are actively seeking accessible, effective solutions, and the role of pharmacists in guiding them towards these solutions has never been more important.
The role of pharmacies in the self-care revolution
As trusted healthcare professionals, pharmacists have always been at the heart of community health. Today, they are uniquely positioned to lead the self-care revolution by offering a wide range of OTC products that can help alleviate common symptoms, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription. This not only helps reduce pressure on the NHS but also provides customers with quick, easy access to the treatments they need.
At Maxwellia, we recognise the vital role that pharmacies play in this process. That’s why we are focused on expanding the range of self-care products available over the counter, allowing pharmacists to provide fast, effective solutions that help customers manage their health more efficiently. By embracing this shift, pharmacies can increase their offerings, build customer loyalty, and ultimately increase revenue.
The business benefits of OTC medicines
OTC medicines represent a significant growth opportunity for pharmacies. It’s estimated that OTC medicines could save the NHS up to £1.7 billion annually by reducing unnecessary GP and A&E visits, and this is money that could be redirected into pharmacy revenue streams (3). OTCs also present pharmacies with the chance to diversify income sources and reduce reliance on NHS contracts, which currently make up 90% of pharmacy income—a model that is unsustainable in the long term (4).
By incorporating more OTC medicines into their offerings, pharmacies can create new revenue channels and reduce the administrative burden of prescription-based services. OTC products are often simpler and faster to dispense, allowing pharmacists to provide more immediate care, while also increasing margins. The £3.2 billion OTC market offers a massive commercial opportunity, and by tapping into this growing market, pharmacies can position themselves as the go-to destination for health solutions (5).
Empowering patients and pharmacists alike
Self-care isn’t just about saving the NHS money—it’s about improving health outcomes and giving patients the tools they need to manage their health. The self-care movement is ultimately about empowerment. By offering OTC alternatives, pharmacies help customers take control of their health in a way that is convenient, accessible, and cost-effective.
Maxwellia is proud to be at the forefront of this movement, pioneering the switch of prescription-only medicines to OTC. Our innovative range of products, such as Evana® for heavy menstrual bleeding and LoviOne®, our accessibly priced emergency contraception, are prime examples of how pharmacies can provide fast and effective solutions that benefit both the individual and the business. These OTC options not only empower customers to manage their health independently but also allow pharmacists to play a crucial role in enhancing customer health, trust and satisfaction.
Always read the label.
The future of self-care: What’s next?
Looking ahead, the opportunity for pharmacies to lead the way in self-care is immense. The self-care movement is here to stay, and as more people seek OTC solutions, pharmacies have the chance to establish themselves as the first point of contact for common health concerns. But the key to success is embracing the shift toward self-care now—before others do.
By expanding your offerings to include more OTC options, you can enhance customer satisfaction, reduce pressure on the NHS, and grow your business in ways that are both sustainable and profitable. The shift toward self-care is more than just a trend—it’s the future of healthcare.
Maxwellia is here to support pharmacies every step of the way, providing the products, training, and resources needed to thrive in this new era of healthcare. Together, we can reshape the future of self-care and position pharmacies as leaders in delivering high-quality, accessible healthcare for all.
Essential Information
Evana® Heavy Period Relief 500mg tablets. Tranexamic acid. Maxwellia Ltd. P. Reduction of heavy menstrual bleeding over several cycles in women with regular, 21–35-day cycles with no more than 3 day variation. For full information see: https://evanaperiods.com/hcp/evana/smpc
LoviOne® 1.5 mg Tablet (Levonorgestrel) - MA holder: NAARI B.V, Kanaalstraat 12 B, 5347 KM Oss, Netherlands Distributor: Maxwellia Ltd. Classification: P. Further information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contra-indications, and method of use can be found at https://www.lovima.com/lovione/hcp/
Sources
1. PAGB. Self-care Census, 2024, p. 8.
2. Ibid. I
3. Ibid. II, p. 3
4. Centre for Pharmacy Education. Community Pharmacy Funding. Accessed via Centre for Pharmacy Education website: https://cpe.org.uk/learn-more-about-community-pharmacy/funding/#:~
%20pharmacies%20receive%20around%2090,increased%20significantly%20during%20the%20pandemic.
5. Statista. OTC Medicines: Breakdown of Sales in Great Britain by Category 2023. Accessed via Statista website: https://www.statista.com/statistics/415963/over-the-counter-otc-medicine-breakdown-of-sales-in-great-britain/#:~
=OTC%20medicines%3A%20breakdown%20of%20sales%20in%20Great%20Britain%20by%20category%202023&text=The%20total%20sales%20value%20of,the%20need%20for%20a%20prescription.
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