Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Ramadan fasting: Pharmacist's advice on managing medication and health

Ifti Khan, pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, advises that during Ramadan, it’s important to continue taking prescribed medications as not doing so could have serious consequences

Ramadan fasting: Pharmacist's advice on managing medication and health

As Ramadan is currently underway, independent pharmacy chain Well Pharmacy has provided some fact-based guidance on managing one's health and medication while fasting.

The guidance includes advice on prescribed medications, injections, and eye drops, among other things. The pharmacy states that, while oral consumption is entirely prohibited during the month of Ramadan, it is acceptable to receive vaccinations and blood tests during this time.


Additionally, medical items that are not consumed orally, such as eye drops, may still be used. It is also crucial for individuals to continue taking their prescribed medications throughout Ramadan.

As someone who observes Ramadan himself, Ifti Khan, Superintendent Pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, has stated that there can be confusion surrounding medication and managing health conditions while fasting, a press release informed.

Khan encourages anyone who is concerned to speak with their local pharmacist, as they may be able to alleviate their fears. It is critical to continue managing one's health during Ramadan.

Injections or vaccinations, blood tests, and the use of eye or ear drops are all acceptable during Ramadan, as are non-oral medical items like nicotine or other transdermal patches, pessaries, and dialysis.

Additionally, if an individual eats or drinks as a result of forgetfulness caused by a medical condition, it is permissible.

Khan also advises that during Ramadan, it's important to continue taking prescribed medications as not doing so could have serious consequences. However, it's recommended to speak to a pharmacist who is best placed to advise if the times medications are taken can be changed or doses adjusted.

It's also important to attend any medical appointments that have been booked assuming one feels well enough. If someone becomes unwell while fasting, they can break their fast to avoid harm, and they should speak to a pharmacist or GP if this happens.

It's not uncommon for those fasting to feel bloated or constipated, especially in the first few days, but over-the-counter medicines are available to help with this, and pharmacy teams can provide recommendations.

Those who are not required to fast during Ramadan can make a mandatory donation to provide meals for those in need, and it's crucial not to put your health at risk.

To maintain good health during Ramadan, it's recommended to have nutritious meals when breaking your fast and ensure proper hydration. If possible, try to engage in light exercise.

And for those who smoke, consider using your self-control to quit for good. Additionally, if you need any advice, don't hesitate to speak to your pharmacist.

More For You

Ping Pong restaurant chain shuts all UK branches

The chain had also gained a following for its themed brunches

iStock

Ping Pong restaurant chain shuts all UK branches after 20 years

Key points

  • Chinese dim sum restaurant Ping Pong has closed all its UK locations
  • The chain made the announcement via social media
  • Founded in 2005, the brand thanked customers and staff for their support
  • Loyal diners shared memories and disappointment in the comments

All branches are permanently closed

Chinese restaurant chain Ping Pong has permanently closed all its branches in the UK, the company confirmed in a social media announcement.

Founded in 2005 by restaurateur Kurt Zdesar, the dim sum chain had become popular for its stylish interiors, creative menus, and Asian-inspired cocktails. The company did not provide prior notice of the closure but said the decision marked the end of an “unforgettable” 20-year journey.

Keep ReadingShow less
New Covid strain

Experts have raised concerns about the immune-evasive nature of the Stratus strain

iStock

New Covid strain Stratus spreads in UK with unusual hoarse voice symptom

Key points

  • A new Covid strain known as Stratus is spreading across the UK
  • The variant is marked by a distinctive symptom: a hoarse or raspy voice
  • Sub-variants XFG and XFG.3 now account for 30% of cases in England
  • Experts say there is no evidence of more severe disease
  • Lower immunity levels may make more people vulnerable to infection

Covid variant Stratus on the rise in the UK

A new strain of Covid-19, known as Stratus, is spreading across the UK and drawing attention for its unusual symptom — a hoarse or raspy voice. According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Stratus and its two sub-variants, XFG and XFG.3, are responsible for around 30 per cent of Covid cases in England.

Of the two, XFG.3 is currently the more dominant. The UKHSA confirmed that monitoring of all circulating Covid-19 variants is ongoing as part of regular surveillance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Human brain continues forming neurons

Neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons form in the brain

iStock

Human brain continues forming neurons well into old age, study finds

Key points

  • New neurons continue forming in the brain’s hippocampus into old age
  • Study confirms presence of neural progenitor cells in adults
  • DNA carbon dating and single-nucleus RNA sequencing were used
  • Research shows variation in neuron production between individuals
  • Findings could aid treatments for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders

Human brain shows ongoing neuron formation into older age

A new study has confirmed that the human brain continues to produce new nerve cells well into late adulthood, challenging previous assumptions about age-related decline in neurogenesis. The findings, published in the journal Science, provide fresh insight into how adaptable the brain remains over a lifetime.

Neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons form in the brain, is known to occur in the hippocampus — a region involved in memory. While previous research has suggested that this process continues throughout life, there has been limited concrete evidence of the presence of neural progenitor cells in the adult brain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kent County Show 2025

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who grew up in Brenchley

Getty Images

Kent County Show opens with royal visit from Duchess of Edinburgh

Key points:

  • Day one of the Kent County Show begins at Detling Showground near Maidstone
  • The Duchess of Edinburgh visits the event for the first time in 16 years
  • Organisers expect up to 70,000 visitors over the weekend
  • Farming and rural life are at the centre of the three-day programme
  • Highlights include live camel racing, equine sports, livestock displays and more

Kent County Show opens with royal visit

The Kent County Show returned to Detling near Maidstone on Friday, marking the start of a major three-day celebration of farming, food, and rural living. The event opened with a special visit from the Duchess of Edinburgh, who is attending for the first time in 16 years.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who grew up in Brenchley near Tunbridge Wells and serves as patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO), met with farmers, equine exhibitors, and local businesses on her tour of the showground.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sri Aurobindo

Heehs’s biography is grounded in extensive archival research across France, England, India and Israel

AMG

Sri Aurobindo and the rise of the Asian century

Dinesh Sharma

My friend and colleague, the American historian Peter Heehs, who has lived in Pondicherry, India, for decades, recently published a compelling new biography, The Mother: A Life of Sri Aurobindo’s Collaborator (2025). Heehs previously authored The Lives of Sri Aurobindo (2008), which remains one of the most balanced and scholarly accounts of Aurobindo’s life.

According to Heehs, most previous biographies of the Mother were written for devotees and relied on secondary sources, often presenting her as a divine incarnation without critical engagement. “Such biographies are fine for those who see the Mother as a divine being,” Heehs said, “but they can be off-putting for readers who simply want to understand her life – as an artist, writer, spiritual teacher, and founder of the Ashram and Auroville.”

Keep ReadingShow less