Pharmacy Week is being celebrated at pharmacies throughout the country this week, with the theme ‘Blood Pressure: Know your numbers’.
This is the sixth time that Pharmacy Week is being celebrated, with the aim of promoting the profession and the safe use of medicines. In addition, this week also highlights the need for people to use medicines appropriately.The theme was chosen because of the high prevalence of hypertension – or high blood pressure – worldwide, which is of particular concern in developing countries due to limited resources.High blood pressure contributed to heart disease, which is one of the major causes of death worldwide.In 2006 alone, over 5 000 patients were admitted to Namibian hospitals with problems associated with high blood pressure, Health Permanent Secretary Kahijoro Kahuure said at the launch of Pharmacy Week.He said it was the 10th biggest cause of death in Namibia.Treating the hypertension alone, without managing other risks for heart disease, leaves patients with an unacceptably high risk of complications and death.Therefore, high blood pressure has to be controlled in conjunction with other risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.The aim of this week is to make people aware of these risk factors and the importance of regular blood pressure readings.In addition, this week also highlights the need for people to use medicines appropriately.The theme was chosen because of the high prevalence of hypertension – or high blood pressure – worldwide, which is of particular concern in developing countries due to limited resources.High blood pressure contributed to heart disease, which is one of the major causes of death worldwide.In 2006 alone, over 5 000 patients were admitted to Namibian hospitals with problems associated with high blood pressure, Health Permanent Secretary Kahijoro Kahuure said at the launch of Pharmacy Week.He said it was the 10th biggest cause of death in Namibia.Treating the hypertension alone, without managing other risks for heart disease, leaves patients with an unacceptably high risk of complications and death.Therefore, high blood pressure has to be controlled in conjunction with other risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.The aim of this week is to make people aware of these risk factors and the importance of regular blood pressure readings.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!