CarePlus Pharmacy is stepping up its efforts to help people stay safe in the sun this summer. As the first blast of heat arrives this week, each of the more than 60 CarePlus pharmacies around the country will display up-to-date UV index information, sourced from Met Eireann.
The updates will be visible on screen in the window of each pharmacy and through the store, and will be relevant to the store’s location. Staff at CarePlus Pharmacy have also been specially trained to answer questions from customers around sun-care products for both adults and children.
Exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can increase the risk of skin cancer, which is the most common form of cancer in Ireland. There are some 11,000 new diagnoses in Ireland every year. Extra care needs to be taken in any direct sun that will accompany warm weather across Ireland this week.
Commercial director at CarePlus Pharmacy, Niamh Lynch, said: “At CarePlus, we’re passionate about getting the message across that everyone needs to take care of their skin to reduce the risk of related health problems. Our pharmacies carry a full range of skin protection products and our highly-knowledgeable staff can advise customers on their needs.”
Dermatology nurse specialist Selene Daly will act as skin ambassador for the CarePlus Be SkinCare Aware campaign. "This announcement by CarePlus Pharmacy is a welcome industry initiative," she said. "As the number of new diagnoses of skin cancer continues to rise, it’s important that the public sees both the warnings and the importance of high-factor products. Thankfully, with the right advice, it is easy to protect yourself from damaging sun exposure that can be a real threat, even in Ireland.”
The UV index is also available on the CarePlus Pharmacy app and online onwww.careplus.ie
