Too many fizzy drinks found to be bad for the penis

Fizzy drinks have perhaps rightfully received plenty of bad press in recent years on a regular basis. After all, the high sugary drinks have been closely linked to tooth decay, weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and can even quicken up the aging process.

Now there could be another reason to leave the fizzy drinks well alone, with scientists reporting there is a link between soda consumption and problems ‘down there’ for men – more specifically fertility and erectile dysfunction.

Scientists based at Copenhagen University Hospital made the findings after looking at consumption of Coca-Cola. For the study they looked at 2,554 men who drank large amounts of coke and found that drinking 1 litre of the fizzy drink on a daily basis could cut a man’s sperm count by a staggering 30% and also cause impotence problems.

Those addicted to fizzy drinks were found to have an average sperm count of 35 million per millilitre, compared to 56 million per millilitre in those who consumed less coke. Despite 35million per millilitre falling within the normal range, it will place men more at risk of eventually becoming infertile.

Even though many would probably assume caffeine to be the culprit for the men’s health risks, researchers in the study discovered there does not seem to be any direct correlation between the caffeine consumed in other drinks such as coffee and tea, meaning there is something else within fizzy drinks that is the root of the problems.

The scientists did note that while getting an erection also depended on both physical and psychological factors, they believe that there is a sweetener used in the drink which could cause damage to arteries in the penis, hindering the blood flow through it.

The failure of being able to achieve and sustain an erection may in fact be a result of large amounts of fructose corn syrup, a sweetener added to many fizzy drinks. In addition, visceral fat deposition, caused by unhealthy diet habits such as drinking fizzy drinks, is also a factor in erectile dysfunction.
In conclusion, the scientists report that drinking the odd can of coke or other fizzy drink should be OK and not lead to any catastrophic side effects, but those guzzling more than a litre per day should try and cut down.

Going to the Rio Olympics? Read on for advice on 6 Health Risks

With their inflated salaries, multi-million pound sponsorship deals, mansions and flash cars, sometimes it is easy to forget that celebrities are human beings just like the rest of us. Money worries aside, they generally share the same concerns as everybody else and are not invincible superhuman characters that are immune to ill-health.

This was epitomised recently with the golfer Rory McIroy’s withdrawal from the 2016 Summer Olympics, taking place in Rio de Janeiro. Mcilroy sacrificed taking part in what will be the first golfing event to be played at the Olympics since the 1904 Summer Olympics, after being concerned about the outbreak of Zika virus.

This isn’t the first time a major sporting event has been held in the country in recent years, with the 2014 World Cup taking place there resulting in the entire England football team being prescribed antimalarial malarone to fend off malaria.

With all this in mind, clearly there are some health concerns not only in Rio, but other areas around Brazil, which both spectators and the sportsmen and women themselves need to consider when travelling over to the South American country.

Malaria

Malaria is a high risk disease in many parts of Brazil, making a resurgence in the forested areas of Rio de Janeiro State during early 2015. However, authorities reported that local transmission had stopped by mid-2015.

The potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus is actually at very minimal risk in Rio, and as such, International authorities do not usually recommend antimalarial medication for the area.
The NHS fit for travel Brazil malaria map gives a guide of which areas of the country are typically a high risk for the disease.

Those wishing the venture further out from Rio are advised to discuss this with their GP as malaria precautions are essential, and you cannot be vaccinated against it. Malarone or doxycycline or mefloquine is usually recommended for those visiting risk areas. If malaria tablets are prescribed for any given trip, it is important to continue once out of the risk area as directed.

In addition, people can do their best to avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers – especially after sunset, using insect repellent that contains DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) on exposed skin after sunscreen has been applied – such as Jungle Formula, and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.

Sexually transmitted infection

Individual sex work is legal in Brazil, and many travelling tourists may wish to take advantage of this. As such, Brazil’s one million sex workers will be looking to cash in on the influx of extra potential customers during the Rio Olympics.

However, it is worth remembering that Brazil is one of numerous countries in South America with high rates of sexually transmitted infection and HIV, although recent intervention from the Brazilian government has led to condom distribution increasing more than 45% between 2010 and 2011 (from 333 million to 493 million condoms).

Holidays may be viewed as a time to have fun, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of health. Medical Specialists® Pharmacy advise all UK travellers to pack good quality UK-manufactured latex condoms and use one each and every time sexual activity takes place.

It is also worth remembering that some are arguing that Zika virus should be treated as a sexually transmitted infection and urging the Brazilian government to do more to emphasise the practice of 4safe sex as a form of prevention.
Zika virus

Zika virus has been consistently in the news through 2016 and is an illness transmitted by mosquitoes. Around 80% of those infected with Zika won’t experience any symptoms, but those who do will experience symptoms such as mild fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain and fatigue.

Zika poses a huge risk to pregnant women, mainly due to the fact evidence suggests it causes birth defects – in particular, abnormally small heads (microcephaly).

As such, those pregnant or planning to become pregnant are strongly advised to seek pre-travel advice from a health care provider 6-8 weeks in advance of travel. It is recommended that pregnant women postpone non-essential travel to Zika affected countries.

Apply DEET-containing insect repellent during the day and wear loose fitting clothing as mosquitoes can strike at any time in the day. Moreover, couples should use condoms whilst at the Olympics and for 8 weeks upon returning home.

Anyone who experiences Zika symptoms in Brazil, seek medical advice at the earliest opportunity. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the Zika virus and those who feel unwell you should rest, drink plenty of fluids and take paracetamol to treat fever or pain.

Dengue fever

Dengue fever is a huge problem in Brazil. In fact, in 2013 there were a record 1.4 million suspected dengue fever cases reported in the country.
Travellers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites due to the fact there is no vaccine to protect against the dengue fever virus. Using insect repellent and sleeping under a mosquito net are two ways to help protect yourself.

Rabies

Although rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in Brazil, it is not considered to be major risk to most travellers. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, commonly through a bite, scratch or lick on broken skin, and Brazil is deemed to be a ‘hisk risk’ country for rabies in animals by the World Health Organization.

It may just suffice to increase awareness of the rabies risk, avoid contact with animals (including bats), as well as report any bites for assessment.

However, those planning to stay in Brazil after the Olympics have finished, in order to travel to more remote and rural areas – i.e. for caving trips where immediate access to treatment is unavailable – may be advised to see their GP for a rabies vaccine, 4-6 weeks before travel.

Yellow fever

Similar to malaria and dengue fever, yellow fever is transmitted through mosquito bites. However, the disease is preventable by a vaccination, especially recommended to those who are visiting the highly popular tourist destination Igazu Falls.

With regards to low-risk yellow fever areas, travellers are still advised to apply a DEET-containing insect repellent to exposed skin and consider other mosquito-bite prevention methods, for both indoors and outdoors.

Just a single dose of the yellow fever vaccine offers protection against the disease for around 10 years, but must be administered at least ten days before a trip. Moreover, many countries require a yellow fever vaccination certificate before entry, although exemption certificates can be provided for people unable to have the vaccination on medical grounds.

Branded drugs up to EIGHT times pricier than generic versions

Martin Lewis may have sold off most of his shares in MoneySavingExpert.com, however the multi-millionaire obviously still cares about saving the general public a few quid.

Lewis, the founder of the hugely popular price comparison website, has spoken out about the pharmaceutical industry – in particularly the topic of branded drugs v their generic equivalents. He and his team conducted research into the matter and made some alarming discoveries.

The researchers looked at the retail price of 15 over-the-counter medications and found how the branded versions are on average almost thrice as expensive as non-branded ‘generic’ drugs. To put it into context, Loratadine 10mg x 30 tablets is priced at £1.99 from Medical Specialists® Pharmacy, whereas the similar Boots One-a-Day Allergy Relief 10mg x 30 tablets costs £8.19.

Painkiller brand Nurofen was found to be most over-priced branded medicine, costing at around 8 times the price of a generic, non-branded equivalent, followed by Clarityn (a branded version of Loratadine), and then Anadin Paracetamol.

However, according to the article in the Daily Mail, pharmacies such as Boots and Lloyds are selling ‘own-brand’ generics at over 3 times the price of the lowest priced generic version – sometimes even costing more than the branded equivalents.

Consumers may benefit from an 87% saving by switching from a Nurofen (16 pack) priced at £1.98 and opting for Asda’s own brand, costing just 25p. Moreover, there is an 83% saving to be made by swapping antihistamine Clarityn (30 pack) for a £1 equivalent sold at Savers.

The research comes after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) recently banned a TV advert by Nurofen for falsely claiming the Nurofen Joint & Back Pain Relief tablets could specifically target joint and back pain. The ASA found ‘there was no mechanism by which the product actively sought out the source of pain’.

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, said: ‘The pharmaceutical industry is full of genuine wizards. There are the ones who make the drugs that help in the first place.
“Then there are the marketers who use a raft of tricks to persuade us there’s hidden magic to their branded goods.

“Actually what really counts is the active ingredient. That’s the stuff that does the job. If it’s the same, sticking with branded drugs doesn’t give extra aid to your health, it just hurts your wealth – with massive mark-ups that go to pay for their adverts and profits.

He continued: “These household name firms also sell virtually identical products in different packaging, to make you think you’ve got a targeted special medicine for your condition – in fact it’s just the same old thing.

“Yet the marketing creates a little doubt – we’re all guilty of thinking “surely there must be a reason for saying this one is good for back pain” – and when you’re hurting you spend a little extra.
“Don’t think Boots and Lloyds Pharmacies are any better either. Some of their “own brands” especially for hay fever are far more costly than the generic tablets they also sell – and again it’s the same active ingredient.

“Only those with allergies need to take care, as then you also need to check there’s nothing in the ‘non-active’ ingredients that’s different too.”

For the research, Lewis and his researchers analysed the cheapest prices they could gather for popular over-the-counter drugs, looking at in-store and online where possible, at Asda, Boots, Home Bargains, Lloyds, Poundstretcher, Sainsbury’s, Savers, Superdrug and Tesco. Independent and internet pharmacies were excluded from the research.

The research showed that generic versions beat branded the medicines on price and have the same active pharmaceutical ingredient, but found there are other ingredients which can vary.
Lewis added: “Make sure you’re aware of any possible allergic reactions and ensure the medication you choose if correct for you – if in doubt, check with the pharmacist or your GP.

“It is also worth noting that the flavours and taste of generic medication can differ to branded products too.”

He also stressed that companies can market various products differently, even those with the same active ingredient in, which could confuse consumers.

Although the MHRA allow non-prescription drugs to have ‘informative’ names to help people find a product without any assistance, Lewis and his team came to the conclusion that this is resulting in very similar medicines being marketed in different ways.

For example, they found 8 Nurofen products, all of which had Ibuprofen as their active ingredient.

Ranking based on saving as a % ranked largest to smallest	Branded product	Cheapest price	Generic equivalent	Cheapest price	Saving as a percentage
1	Nurofen (16)	£1.98 Asda	Ibuprofen (16)	25p Asda	87%
2	Clarityn (30)	£6 Sainsbury’s (i)	Loratadine (30)	£1 Savers	83%
3	Anadin Paracetamol (16)	£1 Savers	Paracetamol (16)	19p Asda	81%
4	Nurofen Joint and Back Pain Gel 35g	£4 Asda	Ibuprofen gel 35g	99p Home Bargains	75%
5	Piriteze (30)	£6 Sainsbury’s (i)	Cetirizine (30)	£1.49 Poundstretcher	75%
6	Sudafed Blocked Nose capsules(12)	£2.39 Lloyds	Max Strength Congestion Relief	60p Sainsbury’s	75%
7	Anadin Extra (16)	£1.99 Lloyds	Aspirin Extra	54p Asda	73%
8	Imodium Original (6)	£2.19 Savers	Loperamide (6)	59p Home Bargains	73%
9	Nurofen Kids 100ml	£3.15 Sainsbury’s	Ibuprofen 3+mths	95p Savers	70%
10	Vicks Sinex Micromist 15ml	£3 Asda	Nasal Decongestant Spray 15ml	£1 Asda/Tesco	67%
11	Calpol Infant 2+ mths 100ml	£2.98 Asda	Infant Paracetamol Suspension 100ml	£1.09 Home Bargains	63%
12	Corsodyl 300ml	£4.49 Superdrug	Chlorhexidine 300ml	£2 Sainsbury’s	55%
13	Nurofen Migraine (12)	£2.65 Sainsbury’s	Migraine Relief (12)	£1.35 Asda	49%
14	Lemsip Max sachets (10)	£2.69 Savers	Max Strength Cold and Flu	£1.76 Asda	35%
15	Piriton (30)	£3 Sainsbury’s	Chlorphenamine Maleate (30)	£2.75 Tesco	8%
(i) Usually £9

Generic V Own Brand Medicines

Active ingredient	Asda	Boots	Lloyds	Sainsbury’s	Tesco	Cheapest brand	Cheapest generic
Cetirizine (30)	£2.50	£8.19	£7.79	£2.75	£2.75	£6 (ii)	£1.49
Max Strength Cold & Flu (i)	£1.76	£2.99	£2.79	£2	£1.80	£2.69	£1.76
Loperamide (6)	£1	£1.99	n/a	£1	£1	£2.19	59p
Loratadine (30)	£2.50	£8.19	£7.99	n/a	£2.75	£6 (ii)	£1
Paracetamol Suspension	£1.75	£2.65	£2.29	£1.90	£2	£2.98	£1.09
(i) Paracetamol 1000mg, phenylephrine hydrochloride 12.2mg	(ii) Usually £9

Tennis Star Andy Murray Joins Fight against Killer Disease

British tennis star Andy Murray is used to facing battles on the tennis court and has begun one this week, as he bids to reclaim a Wimbledon crown he won so famously back during his highly successful period of 2012-13, when he also captured Olympic Gold.

However, one major, global battle that the World number 2 has been proud to join is the fight against the deadly malaria disease.

In 2013 Medical Specialists® Pharmacy reported how Murray had lent his support behind the non-profit charity organisation Malaria No More in a bid to raise both awareness and monetary donations to help the cause, such as funding for vital malaria treatment and mosquito nets.

This year, Murray will be proudly wearing the Malaria No More logo on his sleeve, showing his huge devotion to fighting a tropical disease that is present in around 100 countries worldwide and placing 40% of the world’s population at work.

According to the World Health Organization, about 3.2 billion people – nearly half of the world’s population – are at risk of malaria. Moreover, in 2015, there were roughly 214 million malaria cases and around 438 000 people died from the disease. Increased prevention and control measures have led to a 60% reduction in malaria mortality rates globally since 2000. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, the region was home to 89% of malaria cases and 91% of malaria deaths.

Speaking to the Huffington Post, Murray gave a passionate account of why he is working with the charity and gave a harrowing account of the very real and serious risk to life that malaria poses to millions of people worldwide.

“There’s no tournament on earth like Wimbledon and, after winning here three years ago, I’m looking forward to returning with the home advantage and the incredible support of my fans, and giving it my best shot.

“This year I’m proud to be wearing Malaria No More UK’s logo on my sleeve. I’ve supported the charity’s work to end malaria deaths for seven years now. Two things compelled me to get involved: firstly the devastating impact of malaria on children. This disease claims a young life every two minutes, yet it is preventable and it costs less than a pack of tennis balls to treat and help save a life.

As a new dad this really hits home. You can’t help but imagine how different things would be if you lived in parts of Africa where malaria is the number one killer of young children in your community. It’s unthinkable, yet every day more than 800 children lose their lives because of a mosquito bite. In this day and age, this should not be happening.

“I was also attracted to the malaria campaign because of its single-minded focus, raw ambition and drive to achieve the goal to end malaria deaths in our lifetime. These are qualities that I admire and identify with. With the malaria fight – and from my personal experience – resolute commitment and persistence deliver results.

“For malaria, there’s been record progress to save lives, with child deaths slashed by more than half, saving more than six million lives between 2000 and 2015. That’s more than the entire population of Scotland! This progress is thanks to increased financial commitments and global efforts, supported by UK leadership, which have allowed more prevention (including mosquito nets) and better diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

“I was really interested to hear in April the World Health Organization announce that the European Region hit its 2015 target to wipe out malaria. It’s hard to picture malaria across Europe, but only a hundred years ago you were at risk of catching the disease in nearly every country in the world, so this is huge progress. It gives me hope for the future – we really can be the generation to make malaria no more.

“This September will be a big milestone for the progress to continue as countries will make their pledges to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, the world’s biggest funder of programmes to fight and end these three preventable killers. With renewed commitment and enough funding, eight million more lives could be saved by 2020. I hope all countries, including the UK, will show continued boldness and leadership with strong pledges to save lives.

“In the fight against malaria, when funding has been reduced or stopped many countries have seen the disease return with a vengeance. We cannot afford to stand still or let any ground slip when so many lives and futures are at stake.

“Ending malaria is an incredible and achievable goal that we can all get behind – join me and support Malaria No More UK so that one day in our lifetime no parent anywhere will lose their son or daughter to a preventable disease like malaria. Donate to save lives at malarianomore.org.uk/donate.”

Experts warn humid weather is catastrophic for hayfever sufferers

If you’re waking up to tears flowing this morning, there’s a chance it might not necessarily be because of England’s inevitable and embarrassing exit from Euro 2016 at the hands of Iceland – it could be your hayfever symptoms flaring up.

The recent random mix of sunshine, rain and increasing temperatures might be great for those trying to grow their garden plants or crops, but unfortunately its bad news for hayfever sufferers, with health experts warning that the pollen season will be getting longer.

Unpredictable weather has resulted in pollen levels lingering in the ‘very high’ status and the MET office is estimating this will be the case for the rest of the summer.

With the number of people  developing hayfever and other types of allergies, experts now warn that the amount of people with hayfever could double and reach a staggering 31.8 million people.
Moreover, in recent times there have been scientists that have warned of an ‘allergy epidemic’ within the developed world.

New figures from Prevalin Allergy have demonstrated not only a rise in the total number of people stating they are having hayfever symptoms, but the symptoms themselves seem to be getting worse.
According to a survey conducted by Prevalin, the average person realises that their sneezing, runny nose and itchy throat could be caused by an allergy to pollen, after 2 years.

Prevalin’s survey also found that nearly half (45%) of those suffering with hayfever have made the error of trying to use a decongestant or cold medicine to alleviate their symptoms, when in fact this only irritates the lining of their nose further.

Dr Ellie Canon commented: “The changing global environment can have an impact on how we respond to our surroundings, and people may see their symptoms get worse over time.”

She added: “The pollen season is extending and more and more people could see themselves suffering with sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose throughout the summer. We need to look at new ways of treatment so everyone can control these symptoms.”

Health experts are warning that as the planet gets warmer, more plants will begin to emit pollen into the air and flowers will bloom for a longer period of time.

“Something I see frequently is patients mistaking their hay fever symptoms for a common cold, and treating them as such. The trouble is that, when you use a decongestant or other over-the-counter cold remedy to treat hay fever, if it’s not indicated for hay fever then you can irritate the lining of the nose further,” said Dr Ellie.

“As symptoms get worse and last for longer, its important people know how to treat them correctly.
“While it can be tricky to tell the difference, the dead giveaway for hay fever is itchiness. If you find yourself experiencing itchy eyes, ears, mouth or throat, it’s probably hay fever you’re dealing with.”
Omega pharma, the company that manufactures the Prevalin Allergy range, have just released Prevalin Allergy Plus, a nasal spray with a unique double action formula that provides fast relief at the onset of symptoms, getting to work in a mere 3 minutes – 5 times faster than hayfever tablets.

Like all products in the Prevalin Allergy range, the new treatment is drug and steroid free, meaning it’s suitable for athletes, pregnant and breast feeding women.

Bea Warner, Brand Manager at Omega Pharma, says: “Hayfever is becoming increasingly common and, for many people, increasingly debilitating.

“Thankfully, drug and steroid free Prevalin Plus contains an extra layer of defence to help protect you, with an anti-allergic therapeutic oil that helps reduce sensitivity to pollen.

“It’s something completely different, and offers those who have given up on summer because of hayfever the chance to enjoy it like they used to!”

Obesity crisis means 40 million Brits could be overweight by the year 2035

Future generations could be faced with severe health problems and shorter lifespans if action is not taken now to tackle an obesity crisis that is threatening to spiral out of control, according to a new report.

The Obesity Health Alliance has estimated that about 40 million adults in the UK could be classed as overweight or obese within 2 decades, with over 7.6 million new cases of disease by 2035. Being overweight is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of between 25 and 29.9, whilst obese is defined as having a BMI of 30 or more.

Widespread weight gain in Brits may result in 4.62 million cases of type 2 diabetes, 1.63 million cases of coronary heart disease, and 670,000 new cases of cancer, warned the new study.

This isn’t even taking into account other major health issues that can arise from piling on the pounds, not including conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), liver disease, osteoarthritis, or chronic kidney disease, which can all plain a huge burden on already stretched NHS resources.
Furthermore, becoming obese may then ignite other issues like poor and unhealthy eating, low self-esteem and mental health problems.

However, with swift action, a small change now could make a big difference in the future. Even just a 1% change in the number of people gaining weight every year up until 2035 may avoid around 77,000 cases of disease including 45,000 cases of type 2 diabetes in the year 2035 alone.

Therefore, the Obesity Health Alliance is urging the Government to create a substantial childhood obesity strategy immediately to combat the obesity epidemic. Measures the group want introducing include a restriction on junk food TV advertising prior to the 9pm watershed, tightening online marketing to align with broadcast regulations, as well as setting targets for industry to reduce the amount of sugar and fat in food.

Alison Cox, Cancer Research UK’s director of prevention and member the Obesity Health Alliance, said: “These numbers are shocking. And it’s difficult to think of the impact this will have on public health and an already strained NHS. Without bold action, the next generation will face more disease and live shorter lives.

“Kids are bombarded with advertisements for unhealthy food and if we are to give our children the chance for better and healthier lives, it’s vital the Government’s childhood obesity strategy restricts this kind of marketing.”

Modi Mwatsama, Director of Policy and Global Health at the UK Health Forum and member of the Obesity Health Alliance, said: “This study is a wakeup call for the Government and shows a daunting future if no strong action is taken against the obesity epidemic.
“We can’t expect industry to make changes on their own and people need help making healthier choices. Companies will have to be held accountable by Government. The Government must lead the way by creating a level playing field with independent, regulated targets for reducing the amount of sugar, fat and salt in food. Without Government action, our children face a life of disease and early death.”
According to the European Association for the Study of Obesity, here are some key facts to remember about it:

• Worldwide obesity has nearly doubled since 1980.
• In 2008, more than 1.4 billion adults, 20 and older, were overweight. Of these over 200 million men and nearly 300 million women were obese.
• 35% of adults aged 20 and over were overweight in 2008, and 11% were obese.
• 65% of the world’s population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight.
• Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk for global deaths. At least 2.8 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight or obese.
• 44% of the diabetes burden, 23% of the ischaemic heart disease burden and between 7% and 41% of certain cancer burdens are attributable to overweight and obesity.
• More than 40 million children under the age of five were overweight in 2011.
• Obesity is preventable.

Obesity will not just happen to somebody overnight. It is something that develops gradually over time, mainly due to poor diet and lifestyle choices.

NHS choices have listed the main dietary pitfalls that cause people to gain weight, which include:

• Eating large amounts of processed or fast food – that’s high in fat and sugar.
• Drinking too much alcohol – alcohol contains a lot of calories, and people who drink heavily are often overweight.
• Dating out a lot – you may be tempted to also have a starter or dessert in a restaurant, and the food can be higher in fat and sugar.
• Eating larger portions than you need – you may be encouraged to eat too much if your friends or relatives are also eating large portions.
• Drinking too many sugary drinks – including soft drinks and fruit juice.
• Comfort eating – if you have low self-esteem or feel depressed, you may eat to make yourself feel better.

Lack of physical activity is a key factor behind obesity, with many using their cars to get around and doing less walking or cycling. Moreover, we are becoming a nation of TV and computer game addicts, instead of getting out and doing regular exercise.


The Department of Health recommends that each week adults should be engaging in at least 150 minutes (2 and a half hours) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking. However, this doesn’t need to be done all in one go. For example, you could exercise for 30 minutes a day for 5 days in the week.

Medical Specialists® Pharmacy are able to provide help for those trying to lose weight, with our fantastic range of obesity treatments such as Xenical and Orlistat. Used in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise, these treatments are very effective in enabling people to lose weight and regain confidence again.

Selling unlicensed and counterfeit drugs lands Tooting man with 3 year prison sentence

Medical Specialists® Pharmacy cannot stress this enough; crime does not pay. Maybe it will pay initially, in the form of illegal gains made from unsuspecting customers, but criminals will inevitably always get caught and stopped dead in their tracks.

This has been proved truer than ever this week with reports that a man from Tooting has been heavily sentenced after being found guilty of importing and selling unlicensed erectile dysfunction medicines, hair loss medicines, and money laundering.

The 47-year-old man was handed a sentence of 3 years in prison for money laundering offences, in addition to 12 months for selling unlicensed medicines, with the 2 sentences to be served concurrently.

The man had previously admitted his guilt relating to offences under medicines, trade mark and money laundering legislation at Southwark Crown Court on 13th May.

After Investigators from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) conducted an investigation into the man  – known as ‘Paul K’ – they found clear evidence that ‘K’ had laundered more than £114,000.

‘K’ was found to be the main culprit in a massive conspiracy to receive and supply unlicensed medicines and spread the illegal funds from this endeavour around the UK.

MHRA officials had successfully seized dangerous unlicensed and counterfeit drugs in 2011 and 2012, which resulted in a painstaking operation to trace ‘K’ and the group he was leading.
MHRA’s Head of Enforcement, Alastair Jeffery said:

“This case shows how organised criminal networks use sophisticated methods to import and supply counterfeit medicines from overseas.

The group conducted an international operation to make money from unregulated products, and laundered over a hundred thousand pounds in the process.

We have tirelessly tracked and monitored the group, demonstrating our determination to prevent them from recklessly endangering the safety of others.

Unlicensed products are a serious safety risk to the public, and you should not let criminal enterprises play the lottery with your health. Visit your GP if you need treatment, and obtain prescription and pharmacy medicines from a legitimate high street store or online pharmacy.”