If you used a breast pump while in the hospital, odds are, you used a Medela breast pump. In fact, the Symphony double electric breast pump by Medela is the number one pump used in hospitals across Canada.

If you choose to use the Medela breast pump at home, here is a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started!

Using the Medela Breast Pump

Wash Your Hands

You want to make sure your hands are germ-free when working with equipment that interacts with your body.

Position the Pump

Take note of the breast shields on the pump. You want to make sure your nipples are centred to prevent any irritation or injury.

Turn It On

Making sure you’re in a comfortable position, turn the machine on. The past-paced stimulation phase will then start. Depending on the style of Medela breast pump, you may have to hold the shields in position while you pump.

Get Ready For Milk

When you see or feel milk, press the “expression phase” button. This slows down the machine. If you don’t press the button, it will automatically switch over to this phase once you’re two minutes into pumping.

Adjust the Speed

Ensure the speed of the pump is comfortable for you. Adjust the speed knob until the pumping feels both comfortable and efficient.

Remove the Tubing

Once you’re done pumping, remove the tubing from the breast shields.

Cap the Bottles

Now that you’re finished, add the lids to the milk bottles and store them.

Shut It Down

Turn off the machine and clean it thoroughly. You don’t want old milk sitting in there the next time you use it. Then wash your hands again.

Using a breast pump can be tricky, so don’t hesitate to experiment with what works best for you! From the amount of time you’re able to pump to what your comfort levels are, you want to ensure you’re taking care of yourself during the process. Pumping shouldn’t hurt, so if it is, look for ways that the experience can be improved!

Springborough Pharmasave is your health professionals committed to serving the Springborough community. Our pharmacy in SW Calgary provides you with all you need for your health, including healthcare advice and medical products. We offer vaccinations, flu shots, breast pump rentals, and can act as your travel clinic in Calgary. Giving back to the community is a core value at Pharmasave. Further, we are proud of our work to help the Springborough community. Visit us at 104-30 Springborough Blvd, Southwest Calgary, or call us at (403) 453-6113.

Nearly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada began approving vaccines for use in Canada. Now, we have several options to choose from when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccines.

Let’s take a look at which ones are available in Canada.

The Four Types of COVID Vaccines in Canada

Pfizer-BioNTech

The first vaccine approved for Canadian consumption was Pfizer-BioNTech. Clinical studies have shown that one week after the second shot, the vaccine is:

95% effective in protecting trial participants 16 years and older against COVID-19
100% effective in trial participants that are 12 to 15 years of age

This vaccine requires two doses, meaning Canadians will have to return for a follow-up appointment to get their second shot.

Health Canada has approved this vaccine for anyone over the age of twelve. The safety and effectiveness in people younger than this have yet to be determined.

Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)

Also known as the J&J vaccine, this option was approved by Health Canada in March of 2021. It has proven to be 66% effective against COVID-19 once two weeks have passed from the time of the injection.

The Janssen vaccine only requires one dose, meaning those selected to receive this vaccine only need to make one appointment.

This vaccine is allowed to be given to people 18 years of age or older. The safety and effectiveness in people younger than this have yet to be established.

AstraZeneca

Health Canada authorized the AstraZeneca vaccine in February of 2021. This vaccine has an effectiveness rate of 62% against COVID-19 once two weeks have passed from the time the second dose was administered.

Two doses are required for maximum effectiveness, so those Canadians who receive AstraZeneca will need to make a follow-up appointment to receive their second shot.

Mother taking care of baby with chicken pox

This vaccine has been approved for those 18 years of age and older. The safety and effectiveness in people younger than this have yet to be confirmed.

Moderna

Moderna was the second COVID-19 vaccine to be approved by Canada Health back in December of 2020. It has proven to be 94.1% effective two weeks after the second dose is given.

This vaccine is most effective after two doses, so a follow-up appointment will need to be made to receive your second shot.

Moderna has been approved for those 18 years of age and older. The safety and effectiveness in people younger than 18 have yet to be determined.

Canada Health recommends taking whichever vaccine becomes available to you first. However, your doctor may suggest a specific type of vaccine for you.

You know you need to protect your child from common illnesses. The measles shot is one that is always recommended for young children. But at what age should you go in to get your child vaccinated?

Best Age To Get Measles Vaccination in Calgary

When it comes to vaccinations in Calgary, it is recommended that you get the MMR vaccine at around 12 months of age. This is a safe age to go in for a vaccination. You can wait a couple of months after the first year, but this is the general ideal window.

There needs to be a second follow-up shot that needs to be had. This second shot can be given anywhere from the age of four to six. The second shot is very important since your child will be attending school with many other children.

When you do get the vaccination, it’s very important to keep the vaccination records in a safe place. Proof of vaccinations may be needed later for things such as employment, travel, and other situations. It can be frustrating to not have the records to move forward with what you and your family need to do.

If you have lost the records, you will probably need to go in again for vaccinations in Calgary. It is completely safe for older children and adults to get another measles shot. Just make sure you ask your physician for previous vaccination records as they may have been saved.

If you’re wondering about the side effects, they are generally mild. The range from a sore arm, mild swelling, mild fever, rash on injection site, to some stiffness on injection site. Serious side effects are very rare and many people do not feel any symptoms at all.

If you’re in need of getting vaccinated, consider visiting your local pharmacy in SW Calgary. It’s a faster way to get the necessary vaccinations than going to the doctor. You don’t need to wait days or weeks to set up an appointment.

All you have to do is wait in line until it’s your turn. The pharmacist will take you to a private area, provide you with a quick shot, and then give you a vaccination record.

The pharmaceutical industry has been changing over the years. Manufacturers are opting to rely on CDMOs to help develop new drugs and therapies. Just what is CDMO? It simply stands for contract development and manufacturing organizations. Now, why are pharmaceutical manufacturers opting to hire CDMOs?

Manufacturers are looking to accelerate the development of drugs and therapies. They also want to bring their products to the market as quickly as possible. With many drugs and therapies now being developed for specific health conditions, manufacturers know how important it is to expand their product line.

That’s why CDMOs are the perfect solutions. Manufacturers are using CDMOs to extend their development capabilities for new drugs and therapies. Because everything is being outsourced to different companies, the process is more efficient and effective for the manufacturers.

CDMOs do everything from research, manufacturing, to running clinical trials. They are already experts in drug and therapy development, so pharmaceutical manufacturers do not have to manage these large projects on their own. This allows manufacturers to focus their most important projects in house while also tackling less important projects with CDMOs.

Just think about compounding pharmacies in Calgary. Many patients need custom medication formulated to their needs. This is one of the reasons why drug manufacturers want to develop new drugs. They can create products that are needed in the market and are not being offered by the biggest manufacturers.

Until then, patients will continue to rely on compounding pharmacies in Calgary for their unique needs. Whether it’s rare medications, discontinued medications, or medications that use alternative ingredients for the same purpose, these pharmacies are vital to millions of patients.

Overall, the CDMO industry will continue growing as pharmaceutical manufacturers realize the importance of faster drug and therapy development. At the same time, CDMOs are not without big challenges. They have to make sure that they bring in top scientists, continue innovating, understand the trends, invest in new technology, and adhere to government regulations. To top that off, they are often put in tight schedules where they have to come up with quality products that meet the expectations of their clients.

As flu season comes around, you have to think about getting a flu shot. Doctors recommend flu shots to protect you from the flu, but is it actually worth it? Are you worried that you will get sick after the flu shot? Here is the bottom line before visiting a flu shot clinic in SW Calgary.

The Flu Shot Does Not Give You the Flu

Some people believe that the flu shot can give them the flu. This simply is not true. Most flu vaccines do not work this way. The flu vaccine uses a deactivated virus to deliver immunity. There is no way for this to cause an actual infection. However, the flu shot is never totally effective. Therefore, it is still possible to get the flu shot and get the flu. However, the flu shot can provide a critical layer of protection.

You May Experience Mild Symptoms After the Flu Shot

It is true that you may experience some mild symptoms after visiting a flu shot clinic in SW Calgary. Most of the time, these symptoms include redness or soreness at the injection site. You may also experience muscle aches or headaches. For the vast majority of people, these symptoms are mild and can be managed at home.

Serious Side Effects Are Extremely Rare

As with any medication, a flu shot can be linked to more serious reactions. These reactions are not related to the flu at all. Instead, you may experience an allergic reaction to the vaccine. If this occurs, you will have difficulty breathing or break out into hives after your stop at a flu shot clinic in SW Calgary. Allergic reactions are exceptionally uncommon, but if you exhibit such symptoms, seek care immediately.

As winter makes its way to Alberta, so does the flu.

This year will prove to be a more difficult year than expected due to the addition of COVID-19, and the striking similarities between the two flu-like diseases.

The question is now raised: should you get the flu shot? And if so, when?

This blog breaks down the importance of the flu shot and when you should get it.

Why Get The Shot At Our Flu Shot Clinic?

Many people today ignore the importance of the flu shot. However, doing so, can result in them getting severely ill with the virus. People can experience an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs, and can lead to complications such as pneumonia. In Canada alone, close to 3,500 people die per year.

But why would you get the flu vaccine if you got it last year? Well, the flu is constantly changing, with new strains appearing every season. Therefore, getting the flu vaccine ensures you are protected against the virus for that particular season.

Alberta Health Services states that every individual, six months and older, should have the influenza vaccine, to prevent it spreading. To make it even better, the vaccine at our flu clinic in SW Calgary, is free as it is covered by Alberta Health Care.

When Should I Get The Flu Shot?

According to a statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada, they suggest that the best time of year would be November, as the shot becomes available.

The vaccine at our flu clinic in SW Calgary will be available from October 21st.

This is the ideal time to get the flu shot as it before the winter season really kicks-off and the growth of the flu spreading across the Province. The sooner you get it, the more protected you will be in the long-run, especially because flu season tends to calm down as spring arrives.

We pride ourselves on being a compounding pharmacy in Calgary, but sometimes it feels like people don’t realize the beneficial nature of this title. We consider this a shame because we believe that you should know all the options available to achieve your optimal health and wellness. Therefore, today you can learn about the many benefits that compound medication offers, as well as the common uses and benefits of this type of drug administration.

What are Compound Medications?

Compound medications are a specific mix of two or more ingredients for the use of an individual patient. These mixtures must be prescribed by a doctor and mixed by a Calgary compounding pharmacy.

Why Do People Use Compound Medications?

There are several reasons for your doctor to prescribe a compound medication. For example, getting children to take large, dry capsules can be difficult, so a compound medication with artificial flavouring or a gel cap might be prescribed to ease the process. Below, we have provided a list of the most common reasons for compounding medications:

Allergies to specific dyes or ingredients
Difficulty with the dosage or form of medication
Flavouring for children or adults to ease digestion
Treatment of multiple health concerns
Customizing the strength or efficacy
Exclusion of an unwanted ingredient (gluten, lactose, etc.)

Who Uses the Service of a Calgary Compounding Pharmacy?

Anyone can benefit from the services of a compounding pharmacy. We create formulations for children, adults and the elderly for all sorts of reasons. However, you should always talk with your doctor before investigating compound medications. When you try to forego this critical step, there can be safety, effectiveness and quality concerns. Plus, pharmacies will not formulate compound medications without a prescription.

Can All Pharmacies Combine Medications?

No, not all pharmacies can create compound medications. Typically, any pharmacy can create simple mixtures, such as a prescription mouthwash with an antacid, antihistamine and numbing agent. However, for more complex mixtures, you will require the services of a complete compounding pharmacy.

Learn More About Calgary Compounding Pharmacies Today

If you would like to learn more about all of the great services available at your local compounding pharmacy, stop by for a visit. We look forward to hearing from you and providing relevant information to help you achieve your best health and wellness!

When it comes to manufacturing a cure for COVID-19, it might take several years for it to be created, and for the results to work as expected. It could take even longer for the herd immunity to occur, considering the extent of which vaccinations in Calgary can be available.

What is herd immunity, though? And why is it important? This blog breaks down the importance of herd immunity and how it relates to the COVID-19 crisis.

What is Herd Immunity?

In basic terms, herd immunity occurs when most of the population is immune to an infectious disease, thereby providing protection – or herd immunity – to those that are not immune to the disease.

Some classic examples in which herd immunity works is with measles, mumps, polio, and chickenpox. These diseases were once common and highly contagious. But due to the availability of a vaccine, herd immunity has been established. While cases might still occur, due to a large number of protected individuals, the virus does not spread as quickly.

Overall, usually between 70% to 90% of a population needs immunity against the virus for herd immunity to be achieved.

What are the Challenges for Herd Immunity?

The rule for herd immunity is that the more infectious a disease, the higher the population immunity needs to be to ensure herd immunity. Take, for example, measles, which is considered highly contagious. To achieve herd immunity, you need 95% of the popular to be immune.

Simultaneously, given the high numbers in which people can be affected by a new disease (such as COVID-19), it might be challenging to achieve this global immunity because the cases of infected people keep getting higher and higher.

Even when vaccines are available, particular viruses such as the flu mutate over time, so the antibodies from the previous infection only last for a period of time. It is why it is always recommended to go to a flu shot clinic in Calgary before winter to protect yourself against it.

What About COVID-19?

Being that COVID-19 has similar strains to the flu and is as infectious as the measles, the future is unclear in regards to herd immunity. It can be difficult for a vaccination to be created in which it protects people for an extended period of time as it has similar strains to the flu (as additional shots might be required, as the vaccine might have to be adapted). Considering the high numbers, it can take a long time for herd immunity to be achieved.

The upside is that we must remain vigilant against the virus and protect ourselves at all costs. Wear face masks, sanitize yourself often and adhere to social distancing rules. It is also advisable to get all your flu shots and vaccinations from your trusted compounding pharmacy in SW Calgary to protect yourself against all other viruses.

After your newborn, breast pumping usually becomes a necessity. While this isn’t true for all mothers, for most, the addition of a breast pump rental in Calgary makes the process easier and reduces the costs. Thankfully, breast pumping is a natural part of the giving birth process, and many find great joy in the act.

However, sometimes difficulties occur when pumping enough milk. This issue can cause problems with feeding your newborn and may require a formula substitution. Additionally, if you are planning to produce extra breast milk to donate to a milk bank, production problems can have an even more significant effect.

Luckily, there are ways to produce more milk and more consistently as well. For some tips to consider, please continue reading.

Tips for Extra Breast Milk Pump Production

Pump in the Morning

One of the best ways to increase your breast milk production is through pumping in the morning. Many women feel their breasts are full in the morning, so after feeding, make sure you take some time to empty the milk stores fully. In fact, whenever you feed, you should attempt to drain all milk, triggering your body’s natural response and increasing milk production.

Eat Throughout the Day

Eating throughout the day is also critical to your pumping success. When your body feels tired or malnourished, it will not produce extra milk in an attempt to keep you healthy. For a convenient way to stay fed throughout the day, consider packing some snacks just for mommy.

Use Both Sides

A critical error, especially in the early months, is favouring one side. Yes, this might feel better or reduce the pain around the nipple, but it will also affect your breast milk production. Instead, alternate your feeding side regularly, and ensure you use both breasts during pumping, as supply allows.

Power Pump

Power pumping is a great way to increase your milk production in the earliest stages. For this method, simply pump after each feeding until your breasts feel empty. Again, this will trigger a response from your body to produce more milk, and that will gradually increase through repetition.

Breast Massage

The final way for you to produce more breast milk is through breast massage. Consider speaking with a nursing coach about great methods, but remember the relevant part of the procedure is to remove any remaining milk. This process can be tricky at first, but with enough practice, you will be utilizing your breast pump rental in Calgary to the fullest.

A pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) is a position commonly available in the US. Therefore, it is unlikely that a pharmacy in SW Calgary will have much to do with these services, but the contrast between the systems is still interesting to consider. For instance, the lack of a middle-person such as a PBM in Canada allows us much more affordable rates and also, greater clarity about the rates at which medication is sold.

However, perhaps we are getting ahead of ourselves. First, a review of what a pharmacy benefit manager actually does:

The Role of a Pharmacy Benefit Manager

The role of a pharmacy benefit manager appears to be, broadly, an intermediary between insurance companies and claimants. Although that doesn’t seem to be enough of a description, that is the broad understanding. They also have their hands in many different parts of the healthcare pot, such as negotiating rates between pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies, including discounts and rebates. They also serve a role in processing and paying insurance and drug prescription claims so that insurance companies don’t have to be as involved.

Interestingly, as a result of PBM’s, the actual net price of prescription drugs is hard to find and can be considered a trade secret. Somewhat related to this strange practice is the fact that, according to Wikipedia, “…in 2017, the largest PBMs had higher revenue than the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers,” and the further down this rabbit hole you go, the direr it appears to be. There have been multiple controversies surrounding PBMs, beginning in 1998 by then Assistant U.S. Attorney James Sheehan.

How Does This Affect Canadian Pharmacies

Luckily, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) aren’t a part of the Canadian pharmaceutical market. Thankfully, government-managed healthcare gives our citizens good discounts and affordable prices on our prescription drugs, and this provides a higher quality of life for our citizens.

Furthermore, with new changes coming into effect July of this year, there will be greater protections regarding the cost of patented prescription drugs. It is truly a superior system based on the healthcare of our citizens rather than the profits of a corporation, including at your local pharmacy in SW Calgary.

Springborough Pharmasave is your health professionals committed to serving the Springborough community. Our pharmacy in SW Calgary will provide you with all the essential services you need for your health, including healthcare advice and medical products. We offer vaccinations, flu shots, breast pump rentals, and can act as your travel clinic in Calgary. Giving back to the community is a core value at Pharmasave, and we are proud of our work to help the Springborough community. Visit us at 104-30 Springborough Blvd, Southwest Calgary, or call us on (403) 453-6113.