MEDIA RELEASE

4 April 2011

Guild helps Canterbury pharmacies to spread public health messages

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) has paid for all community pharmacies in Canterbury to receive branded pharmacy paper bags promoting key health messages. Each pharmacy received 1,000 bags.

The Guild worked with the Canterbury DHB to develop the public health message on the bags. The bags contain information for patients on managing their health through the earthquake emergency and recovery period.

Health messages on the bags include a reminder to wash hands thoroughly, limit contact with people when sick and to contact your health care professional for advice.

“Paper bags have proven to be a popular and cost effective way to communicate key messages to the public,” says Annabel Young, Chief Executive of the Guild. “The CDHB approached us to provide this initiative to the public as the Guild has the capacity and established relationships within the sector to coordinate health promotion campaigns.”

Other paper bags developed by the Guild include raising awareness about influenza and arthritis, and promoting the Smokefree campaign. The Canterbury paper bags are produced from recycled paper.

ENDS

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