Frequently Asked Questions

Just send us a message from 'Contact Us' at the bottom of the home page and we will change it for you. This will also change your login email too.

When you are logged in go to 'MY ACCOUNT' then in the left hand menu click on 'UPDATE PROFILE'

Where it says 'BUSINESS DETAILS' click UPDATE, then enter the New details.

If you click into the 'my account' link at the top right hand side of the page" - You will find in the profile page underneath your photo area that there is a link to : Update profile, in here you are able to change your password.

To become a Gold member you need to have 1200 to 1599 points. You can do this by completing training modules/courses, submitting events, FAQs, selling tips or entering competitions. All gold members will go into the draw to WIN a yet to be advised prize. You will n eed to be GOLD by July 2011.

Terms and condtions apply.

To become a silver member you need to have 750 to 1199 points. You can do this by completing training modules/courses, submitting events, FAQs, selling tips or entering competitions. All silver members will go into the draw to win a $300 spa voucher. Terms and condtions apply.

You need to gain between 375 to 749 points to become a Bronze member. You can gain points by completing training modules and courses or submitting FAQs, selling tips, events and images for competitions. At the end of September 2010 all current Bronze members will go into the draw to win a gift basket, further draws will occur every three months. Terms and conditions apply.

Training is released in line with the Douglas marketing program. We want you to go and complete our weekly featured trainings to ensure that you are eligible for the monthly prize draw. So don't rush it log on once a week to see the featured training and you will not only go into the monthly draw but also the weekly draw. Have fun

You need to complete an entire course for it to move into the completed training tab. Some modules in a course are not active as we want you to complete the training when the products are being promoted.

If we were to let you all use the same email address you would not gain any points or be eligible for the weekly, monthly and annual prizes. You need to use your personal email address to ensure that we can contact you if you WIN and to ensure you get the correct points. Also if you happen to move stores you will not miss out on upcoming activities on blink. If you do not have your own email address join up to gmail its free. All you have to do is google gmail and follow the steps for free email.

Courses will remain active until all the modules in the course have been completed. Some modules in a course are hidden to you as they are a weekly feature. We would like some of the training modules completed in line with our advertising to ensure your product knowledge is fresh when customers question you about the products.

You can get points by completing training modules and courses but also by submitting FAQs, selling tips and events. We also give you bonus points when you least expect it. Your points will determine whether you are Bronze, Silver or Gold. At each of these levels you will go into the draw to win further exciting prizes and you could increase your chances of winning the big prize a trip to Australia.

You can get bonus points by completing a training course or by submitting FAQs, selling tips and upcoming events.

You need to click on the submit button in the centre and then ensure you are patient as your answers are being checked - so wait a little while so that your mark can be calculated.

Some of our training has featured dates so that you are training on our products at the time in the year when we know that they sell best and in line with our market activities. More modules will be made available to you as time goes by. The idea is that you visit blink once a week to complete the weekly featured training to go into the draw for the weekly prize. If you complete all of the weekly featured trainings you will then go into the draw for the monthly prize.

Not all courses or modules are active at any one time. We activate them to fit in with our advertising and promotional plans and also to fit with the season. The idea is that you visit the site weekly and complete the weekly featured training to go into the draw for the weekly prize. If you complete each of the weekly featured trainings in a month you then go into the monthly prize draw. As time goes by you will see more courses will become available to you.

Under the Training drop down box select 'Product Training' then 'Filter' by 'STATUS' this will then show 'ACTIVE' or 'COMPLETE' Training. Select which you would like. You can look at all completed training Referance material at any time here.

Yes Pharmacy Interns are able to complete the pharmacists training. (this excludes the Silvasta Training which is Pharmacist ONLY)

If you visit the 'product training' page you will see that there is a 'completed courses' tab sitting behind the active course as per below:

If you click on this you can access all training that has been completed and view the reference material that is related to each module/course.
 

Can you please check to see what version of Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer you are using, we recommend using version 8 or higher for IE or version 3 or higher for Firefox. Please contact if you have any further questions - on 0800 douglas.

Sounds like a browser cache issue. What we suggest is following the steps for the browser version in question as follows;

http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-Your-Browser%27s-Cache

If this does not work please contact me at Douglas Head Office on 098350660 and we will progress from there.

If a course does not move across to the completed courses it means that there are some hidden modules in the course - these will be featured at a later date.

If you cannot access the weekly featured training you will have already completed it and can look at your completed courses to check. All modules that have not been completed appear with a green tick next to them. Once completed the green tick is greyed out.

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for your question, as the banner states over the next 12 months we will be loading new features  into the site that can help you accumulate points for interacting - this will happen over time. There is no time limit in which you are required to reach certain levels and prizes will be defined at the time(s) of the new tools becoming live on blink. Thanks.

Thank you for your enquiry regarding training.
As long as you complete all the weekly featured trainings within the month you will be in the draw.
You can find all the weekly trainings for the month on the training stuff tab. Just scroll down and you will see them.

Thanks for question Sharan - yes it does mean you are in every draw that relates to the training, we have new training coming up so please keep visiting to keep training!

Hi there, you must have Adobe PDF Reader installed in your computer to download these certificates as they are PDF files. If you do not have this program you can install it for free by visiting: http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/ and downloading Adobe Reader.

We will add Pharmacy Students into the site. Thanks.

Hi Nora, Thanks for your question the Blink website started in June 2010.

Under the training tab select 'Product training' then filter by 'Keyword' enter 'Opioid' this will bring up the Methadone training. You can also use this method to locate other training by entering a keyword.

Methadone training is only accessible to Pharmacists and Intern Pharmacists.

No the Nexcare mouthguards do not contain latex

A healthy and balance diet containing high fibre foods, vegetables, fruits, cereals and plenty of water can help to minimise reoccurrence.

Haemorrhoids (also known as hemorrhoids or piles) are inflamed and/or swollen veins in and around the anus and rectum.

Haemorrhoids can occur as a result of chronic constipation or pregnancy. Lack of adequate hydration, other bowel disorders and a low fibre diet can all increase the chances of haemorrhoids (or hemorrhoids or piles).

To kill 99.9% of bacteria and fungi on your hands.

OTC stands for 'over the counter medicine'

Pharmacy only means that the product is only available for sale through the pharmacy channel therefore it is not available in any other retail outlets.

FMCG stands for "fast moving consumer goods" and usually refers to grocery lines

Pharmacist only medicines (also known as Restricted medicines) are a relatively small group of medicines that can be purchased from a pharmacist without a doctor's prescription. They are not available for self-selection from the pharmacy shelves, and the sale must be made by a pharmacist. When selling these medicines, pharmacists must fulfil some special requirements designed to make sure customers are properly informed about the safe and correct use of the medicine.

Only a qualified pharmacist is allowed to sell a pharmacist only medicine. If you are asked for a particular pharmacist only medicine, or requested treatment for a condition that requires the use of a pharmacist only medicines, the sales assistant must ask the pharmacist to discuss this with the customer. The pharmacist's expertise is required to ensure they get the right medicine for the right condition and that they know how to use it safely.

The issue has been resolved. Thank you very much for alerting us to the issue.

We would recommend EGO Hair Science Shampoo for fine hair and Hair Science Conditioner for fine hair
 
BENEFITS of Ego Hair Science Shampoo for fine hair

    * Ideal for fine or limp hair.
    * Mild enough for the whole family to use every day.
    * Soap-free and pH-balanced, so it’s suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
    * Contains a light conditioning agent to improve manageability and softness without weighing hair down.

BENEFITS of Ego Hair Science Conditioner for fine hair

    * Ideal for fine or limp hair.
    * Mild enough for the whole family to use every day.
    * Soap-free and pH-balanced, so it’s suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
    * Rich in provitamin B5 for strong, healthy hair and a lustrous shine from roots to tips.
 

Sebizole 2% should be used 2 to 3 times a week for three weeks only. Sebizole 1% should then be recommended as an ongoing maintenance product. If a customer wishes to wash their hair daily you should recommend Sebizole everyday shampoo on the days that they do not us the Sebizole treatment products.

Yes it would still be effective without the shower cap. The cap is used to contain the product and contain the odour. Moov will still be just as effective without the cap.

Sebizole should be fine with coloured or permed hair. If in doubt the customer should patch test their hair. They may find the shampoo a little drying so would advise using Ego Hair shampoo and conditioner in between treatments due to the fact it is soap free and pH adjusted.

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid metabolite of L-Tryptophan, which is usually obtained naturally from protein. It produces the essential feel good hormone, serotonin.

Xylitol is anaturally occurring sugar found in fruits and vegetables such as raspberries, strawberries, yellow plums and cauliflower. It is structurally related to glucose

It is safe and well tolerated for all age groups and safe for use in pregnancy and breast feeding. It detaches unwanted bacteria form the mucosal walls of the nose.

Del Immune V is made up of cell wall fragments. The cell wall fragments are immunogenic and trigger the production of “cytokines” by T cells of the immune system. Specialty cells such as lymphocytes and phagocytes are produced to fight invading pathogens. Cytokines in turn regulate Th-1/Th-2 immunity and restores the balance between Th-1 and Th-2 immunity

There are many different triggers for a migraine including food, hormones, medication, stress, visual stimuli and disturbed sleep. Clinicians MigraDol can help prevent and manage migraine headaches by treating vasospasms and replenishing body stores of magnesium

Cold sores normally occur from Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 infection. You could use Clinicians Lip Guard which helps stop the virus form replicating and Clinicians Pepticol or Del Immune V for immune support and modulation. Clinicians Lip Guard is a formula of Lysine, Vitamin C, Zinc and Selenium designed to assist in preventing recurrent cold sores and reducing the intensity and duration of cold sore outbreaks.

It is in a readily absorbable phospholipid liposome form as opposed to a triglyceride form like regular fish oils.

Depression is characterised by feelings of low self-esteem, pessimism and despair. It can range from a transient low mood to potentially life-threatening, severe clinical depression. The causes of depression may be multifactorial, including psychological, physiological and organic factors such as nutrient deficiencies, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, hypoglycaemia and hypothyroidism, low nutrient status, dealing with chronic pain and disease, work and family related stress, loss of a loved one, undiagnosed  subclinical hypothyroidism and hypoadrenalism (often caused by long-term stress). For women, hormonal changes at childbirth and menopause may be contributing factors. For men, it may be hormonal (testosterone) changes at andropause.

Conventional methods of treatment for depression include psychotherapy and anti-depressant medication. Standard medical treatment for low moods is the use of MAO inhibiters and tricyclic antidepressants. Clinicians Mood Tonicmay be helpful for individuals experiencing mild to moderate mood changes.It contains nutrients that studies indicate may assist in supporting the production of neurotransmitters that govern mood and sleep, namely serotonin and dopamine.

The term ‘indigestion’ often describes a feeling of gaseousness or fullness in the abdomen. It can also describe ‘heartburn’. Indigestion can have many causes including increased or decreased secretion of acid and other digestive juices and enzymes. Many people believe that an overacidic stomach is the major cause of indigestion, however common gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, flatulence, constipation and malabsorption syndrome may well be the result of a deficiency in the production of gastric and pancreatic enzymes. Clinicians DigestEase is a nutrient combination providing enzymes designed to support and facilitate healthy digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

The most common causes of insomnia appear to be a result of psychological factors such as depression, anxiety and tension. If psychological factors do not seem to be the cause, various foods, drinks or medications may be responsible. There are over 300 drugs that can interfere with normal sleep patterns. Clinicians REM Sleep is a research-based combination of vitamins, minerals, specialised nutrients and botanical extracts designed to support normal sleep patterns. Sleeping in a dark room may also enhance the natural production of melatonin—the sleep-enhancing hormone. Other techniques such as exercise and progressive relaxation may help.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading cause of illness and death in New Zealand and yet simple strategies can reduce its incidence and severity. Diet, lifestyle, environment, family history and nutritional status are important considerations in acute and chronic (long-term) blood vessel diseases. Vitamin and mineral deficiency, processed foods, poor soil conditions and malabsorption combine to deny our bodies many of the essential ingredients available from natural sources. Nutrient replacement is essential for people with cardiovascular disease. Clinicians CardioProtect is a research-based formulation designed to support cardiovascular function and structure. It is especially of benefit to those taking conventional cardiovascular medications or those who may be more at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

St Johns Wort has multiple mechanisms of action, it acts like an SSRI to slow the re-uptake of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. It also has the ability to up regulate the activity  of a number of drug metabolising enzymes (CP3A4, CYP1A1 and CYP1A2). For this reason St John's Wort is usually only recommended for use as a single agent.
The general rule it not to recommend the combination of 5-HTP as found in Clinicians REM Sleep with St John's Wort because of  the slight but possible chance  that serotonin syndrome may occur. The incidence of this is far less that if you were using pharmaceutical antidepressants but caution should still warranted.  If you did decide to combine both products (if the St John's Wort is low dose) then you would need to inform the customer of the signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome and get them to keep in touch so you can monitor progress and adjust as necessary.

From a pharmacist perspective if low mood and poor sleep are a problem and have not been adequately addressed with the St John's Wort alone. Consider transferring  to Clinicians Mood Tonic which supports both serotonin and dopamine pathways ( 5 neurotransmitters in total) and this product can be taken with Clinicians REM Sleep if needed. In a retail situation you can safely dose 5-HTP up to 300mg per day in divided doses.

Cranclense can be used across all age groups under the advice of your health professional. It can be used for children under 12, but due to the high sodium content needs to have a dosage recommendation made by your health professional.

There are a number of other herbs associated with liver cleansing such as Globe Artichoke, Rosemary, Dandelion Root, turmeric.

Also antioxidants are required by the liver to bind toxins to remove them from the body. There are vitamin antioxidants such as vitamins A, E, C, K, Co Q10, lipoic acid and mineral antioxidants such as zinc and selenium. There are then substances called flavonoids which have antioxidant effects, such as resveratrol and quercetin found in the Clinicians Reveratrol Performance Plus. Green tea also falls into this polyphenol family.

One simple tip is to have lemon juice in water first thing in the morning to help flush the liver.

Hi,

I have updated your account to include the Clinicians Partnership. Please try and access these again and let me know if you encounter any further problems.

Kind regards,

Monique

Zinc is needed by all surfaces of the body both inner and outer, the inner being the lining of the lungs and gut, and the outer being the skin. Zinc helps keep the theses areas intact and helps them act as a natural barrier to unwanted microbes. Zinc also is secreted onto these surfaces to keep them at optimum health.

Zinc therefore has a definite role to play in the healing of skin, whether it be eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis.

To help zinc work, add evening primrose oil and probiotics. Evening primrose oil helps keep the skin intact from the underside of skin, and probiotics play a role in the health of skin and internal surfaces.

1. Silvasta Training is only available to currently Registered Pharmacists. Status checked through the Pharmacy Council.                                                                                                                    
2. Use a laptop or a desktop with Flash Player. More power and memory are required to run the training.

Activate Flash Player in your web browser settings.

For new Chrome web browser version, shown below are the step by step process to allow you to view and complete the training material.

1. Go to website - www.blink.co.nz
2. Using the mouse, right click on the "i" (view site information) beside the website address.
3. Select "Site Settings" another tab opens.
4. Look for "Flash" then change to "Allow".
5. Close Chrome browser. Re-open and log in to blink.

For older Chrome web browser version, please follow the steps below.

1.       Open Chrome then select the 3 x dots showing on the top right hand corner of your screen then select “Settings”.

2.       Scroll all the way down. Select “Advanced”.

3.       Select “Content settings”.

4.       Select “Flash”

5.       Make sure “Ask first (recommended is activated)” and in “Allow” section add “https://www.blink.co.nz”

After this you should be able to complete the training. Start again with introduction, a window will pop up to ask if you want to continue.

Please contact us if you are still having problems accessing the Silvasta Training.

Currently there is no hard copy of the training reference material available. You can however always access this on Blink if required.

The support material is sent to the pharmacies that are part of the Silvasta Loyalty Programme. Please contact our Silvasta Sales Representative to discuss. The support material is owned by the pharmacy. Individual pharmacists do not receive the support material. 

The Silvasta Training in Blink works well using either a desktop or laptop with Flash Player installed.

Activate Flash Player in your web browser settings.

For Chrome web browser, shown below are the step by step process to allow you to view and complete the training material.

1.       Open Chrome then select the 3 x dots showing on the top right hand corner of your screen then select “Settings”.

2.       Scroll all the way down. Select “Advanced”.

3.       Select “Content settings”.

4.       Select “Flash”

5.       Make sure “Ask first (recommended is activated)” and in “Allow” section add “https://www.blink.co.nz”

After this you should be able to complete the training. Start again with introduction, a window will pop up to ask if you want to continue.

Please contact us if you are still having problems accessing the Silvasta Training.

Even if there remains some skin reactivity, it is entirely possible to alleviate it by removing the products that the skin doesn’t handle well and replacing them with special products which have good tolerance and a strong moisturizing power of the horny layer.

All skin has some degree of sensitivity.
“Sensitive skin” reacts more rapidly, or has a stronger reaction than normal skin to the same aggression in similar conditions. This is expressed by unpleasant sensations (tightness, stinging, itching...) and sometimes redness or dryness.

For cleansing, soap-free dermatological bars or cleansing lotions with a nuetral pH , so as not to harm the skin. For skin care, products with a minimum of ingredients so as to limit the risk of reaction.

Because soap strips the sebem from the skin which is the skins natural barrier function. If you have normal skin the sebum will be replaced in 15-30 minutes, however if you have dry or comprised skin it can take up to four hours.

To match the natural acidity of your skin. The acidity helps build a barrier against bacteria and fungi.

Redness often appears in people who have “vaso-reactive” skin and/or light phototype, two characteristics which can run in families.

No, that is more a manner of speaking. People who say they are “allergic to everything” generally have very sensitive or intolerant skin which has an excessive reaction to the application of a certain number of products, local medications or cleansing and skin care products.

They are complex. The skin is an organ that has several roles, and therefore several types of anomalies can cause hypersensitivity: lesions of the horny layer that disturb its function as a barrier, hyper vascularization causing redness, hyperactivity of the skin’s neurological system

Various circumstances can bring on flushes, especially meals that are too hot, too spicy or that are eaten too quickly.

Because there is less moisture in the air in winter. It can also be caused by extreme weather conditions, i.e. cold temperatures outside and warm heating inside.

Vasoreactive skin is fragile and needs an adapted cleansing program, one that is very gentle with products intended for sensitive skin prone to redness.
Cosmetic care products with anti-redness actives and textures adapted to this type of skin are now available.
Before applying them, spraying a fine mist of thermal spring water is helpful because of its soothing and decongestive action.
 A dermatologist can also advise  on the products to recommend

There are concealer foundation products that, because of their covering but natural looking texture, hide the redness (compact foundation creams, powders). If necessary, before the concealer make-up you can apply a green tinted product that will neutralize the redness (compact, stick, or corrector pencil).

Biting into a square of chocolate or eating french fries won’t give you a single pimple more. However, a balanced diet is still beneficial to your skin, as well as to your health in general.

Menopause occurs because the ovaries stop secreting, among other things, estrogens, which have a positive effect on the tonicity and the thickness of the skin. Because of this, menopause is one factor in skin ageing, but it is less important than sun exposure.

It has been proven that smokers suffer numerous alterations of the skin that contribute to an increase in signs of ageing: wrinkles, yellowing of the complexion. One more reason to stop smoking, or never to start.

Over time, the skin is weakened and becomes less well structured. As a result, it becomes dehydrated more easily, is more fragile and doesn’t resist environmental stresses as well (climatic, pollution, ill-adapted cleansing...). We should then regularly moisturize our skin using adapted dermo-cosmetic care products that encourage the reconstitution of the deficient protective hydrolipidic film.

Most often this is not the case, but it does happen that some children have an intolerance for some foods which exacerbate their eczema.
In practice a  food allergy is considered  in specific cases:
• In cases of digestive symptoms or growth problems
• When standard treatment is ineffective.

After specialized tests, a special diet may be advised by pediatricians and dieticians.

In families with history of atopic disorders, mothers are advised to breastfeed exclusively as long as possible so as to avoid contact with digestive allergens. Similarly, it is advised to delay diversifying the diet (eggs and fish especially) until after the age of six months.
These precautions reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis, but they don’t entirely remove the risk.

Of course, the bath has many advantages: it cleanses, relaxes and prepares the skin for application of ointment. You should nonetheless take a few precautions: in cases of eczema, a bath that is not too hot, between 30°C and 32°C, rather than 37°C; water that is too hot brings on itching. It can be a good idea to use a bath oil; skin care products must be very gentle, this will make up for possible hard water, which varies according to regions.

Thermal spring treatments are often recommended for children with atopic dermatitis. The course of treatment includes thermal spring care (baths, showers, drinking water treatments...), possibly limited sun exposure, and an “intensive” medical monitoring that allows children and parents to know more about atopic dermatitis and its treatment. All of this, in addition to the properties of the water, explain the fact that thermal spring cures are beneficial, leading to prolonged remission of eczema and reducing the need for corticosteroids.

Animal hair (from ponies, dogs, cats) and bird feathers can be the cause of respiratory allergies. But it is difficult to give a direct answer to this question – scientific studies are available only for house dust; it has been shown that eliminating it brings a slight improvement. For other allergens, it all depends on the circumstances.
If the child has a pet that he loves and it doesn’t pose any problem, keep it; if there is sneezing or conjunctivitis, it would be better to remove the animal. If you don’t already have an animal, the risk of allergies should certainly be taken into consideration before adopting one.

The problem isn’t so much speeding up healing as it is creating good, local conditions to allow the process to occur naturally. This means:
• No infection
• Good vascularization
• Eliminating scabs, serosity or other pathological deposits.
Appropriate products can limit infections and improve the normal healing process.

While most cuts and wounds will heal, there are differences depending on the type of injury, its location, and other individual factors:
• Some injuries are particularly traumatic for the skin - for example, deep burns generally leave unsightly scars. However, surgical wounds, which are immediately sutured, generally give very good results.
• There are also differences according to the location of the wound – the presternal region, the décolleté and the upper part of the back are often the site of unsightly scars
• Lastly, there are individual differences for which we don’t know the causes. For example, people with black skin are more subject to (raised) cheloid scars.

Yes, but it is not only that: it is not possible to rehydrate the uppermost layer of the epidermis simply by drinking water and moistening the skin; lipids (fats) are also necessary to hold water.

Outside of skin diseases, the two major causes of dry skin are:

• External Causes

- Climatic:Wind, Cold, Excess of sun, Lack of humidity in the air (air conditioning, heating)
- Chemical:Cleansing products that are too detergent, Topical medical treatments, Ill-adapted cosmetics
-Mechanical:Shaving, waxing

• Internal Causes

- Physiological: Worsen with skin aging
- Pathological: skin diseases that alter the skin’s barrier function

Yes.

Exposure to the sun is an aggression (burns) which causes the epidermis to react by creating more pigment (this is tanning) and thickening - a transitory dryness then occurs owing to increased water loss and this skin thickening.

Yes. Same household water is calcareous – this is “hard” water. It can increase the drying effect of cleansing products. It is possible to soften the water with special additives or to compensate with ultra rich skin care products.

The goal is to moisturize and nourish while reducing aggressions and irritations.
For this, it’s best to avoid soap in favor of ultra rich bars or gels, enriched in protective and moisturizing products. Emollient care products play an important role, not only in moisturizing and nourishing the skin, but also in guaranteeing a good cohesion of the epidermis, essential for its function as a protective barrier.
It is important to apply these products regularly, ideally on a daily basis.

Products that can help with Chicken Pox are Pinetarsol Solution which relieves itching and reduces inflammation. 15-30 mls should be added to a warm to tepid bath (5mls to a babies bath). Recommend bathing for 5-10 minutes once daily or more often in severe conditions.

SOOV Cream is a general purpose antiseptic cream which can help to prevent infection. SOOV Cream also contains lignocaine hydrochloride 1% to provide fast relief from itching, pain and discomfort.  SOOV Cream can be applied directly onto lesions to help prevent infection of broken blisters due to scratching.

QV WASH INGREDIENTS
Aqua (water), sodium lauryl sulfate, glycerin, lauryl betaine, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, glycol stearate, methylparaben, citric acid, propylparaben.