NZSE College’s pharmacy students recently participated in two engaging and informative product education sessions delivered by respected industry professionals Carol Hunt from Radiant Health Ltd and Bridget Clare from the Vitaco Group.
The presentations introduced students to both conventional pharmaceutical products and complementary health approaches, broadening their understanding of the diverse treatment options available in New Zealand community pharmacy practice. By exploring evidence-informed approaches to both medicinal products and natural health supplements, students strengthened their ability to provide safe, patient-centred recommendations tailored to individual needs.
Carol Hunt introduced students to a wide range of over-the-counter medicines and pharmacy-only products commonly used to manage conditions such as dry and chesty coughs, sore throats, mouth ulcers, allergies, and other everyday health concerns. She also covered the professional terminology and counselling language commonly used in community pharmacies, helping students build confidence in communicating effectively with patients.
Through practical case studies, Carol demonstrated how patient-centred care extends beyond simply recommending a product. She highlighted the importance of considering factors such as age, cultural background, existing medical conditions, lifestyle, and personal preferences, including flavour and dosage form, when selecting the most appropriate treatment. These real-life examples reinforced the critical thinking and communication skills required in modern pharmacy practice.
Bridget Clare’s presentation focused on the important relationship between gut health, immune function and overall wellbeing. She discussed how chronic stress, poor nutrition, environmental toxins and lifestyle habits can negatively affect digestive health and contribute to long-term health issues. Bridget also highlighted that many people unknowingly experience chronic low-grade inflammation and deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, often as a result of poor diet and modern lifestyles.
Students gained a greater appreciation of how evidence-based vitamins, minerals, probiotics and other complementary health products can support overall wellbeing and, when used appropriately alongside conventional medical treatment, contribute to improved patient outcomes. Her presentation reinforced the importance of providing balanced, evidence-informed advice while recognising the value of preventive healthcare and healthy lifestyle choices.
Learning directly from experienced industry professionals significantly enriches the NZSE Pharmacy Technician Programme by connecting classroom learning with current pharmacy practice. These sessions expose students to contemporary products, emerging healthcare trends and practical clinical insights, helping them develop into confident, well-rounded pharmacy professionals capable of delivering safe, evidence-informed and patient-centred care.
