May’s cultural and identity-linked celebrations and awareness days include:
Although Hajj (Islam) falls in June 2025 (4th–9th), we’ve included information in this May edition to support pharmacy professionals in advising people well ahead of time. This is particularly important as some preparations – such as vaccinations, medicines management and travel health advice – need to be completed in advance to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage.
Consider the relevance of these events to your own pharmacy practice. We’ve shared some useful information below where appropriate.
Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about the Deaf community, language, culture and history. As a pharmacy professional, you should ensure that your communication is accessible and respectful. Proactive steps can be taken to facilitate this, such as using clear speech, offering written information, learning basic British Sign Language (BSL) phrases and using visual aids or text-based communication tools. This article published by the Pharmaceutical Journal outlines various approaches and tools pharmacy professionals can use to improve the way they communicate with D/deaf people.
Mental Health Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the importance of mental wellbeing and reducing stigma around mental health conditions. Pharmacy professionals are in a unique position to support people with their mental health through regular interactions in both community and clinical settings. They can play a key role by offering a listening ear, signposting to appropriate support services and ensuring safe and effective use of medications. Equally, it’s important for pharmacy professionals to prioritise their own wellbeing; organisations like Pharmacist Support offer confidential help and targeted wellbeing campaigns such as ACTNow, which encourages pharmacy professionals to reflect on their own mental health, connect with others and take positive action. Pharmacy professionals wishing to learn more about supporting people with their mental health can look at the resources on CPPE’s Mental health learning gateway.
May sees important occasions for different religions. Pharmacy professionals should be aware of these occasions and how they are marked – team members may request annual leave, and colleagues and visitors to pharmacies alike will appreciate personal greetings.
Second Passover:
Second Passover (Pesach Sheni) is a date on the Jewish calendar that comes exactly one month after the first night of Passover. It offers an additional opportunity for individuals who were unable to participate in the initial celebration to fulfil the mitzvah (commandment) of the Passover offering. During this time, some individuals may still adhere to dietary restrictions, particularly avoiding chametz (leavened products). Pharmacy professionals can help verify the kosher status of medications; Kosher London Beth Din have put together this resource, which offers guidance on identifying suitable medications during Passover. To ensure you are taking a sensitive and informed approach when assisting people in your practice, you can visit CPPE’s dedicated Culturally competent person-centred care learning gateway.
Hajj:
Hajj is a deeply meaningful religious journey that Muslims are expected to make once in their lifetime, if they are physically and financially able. It takes place once a year in the holy city of Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia and brings together millions of Muslims from around the world. This year Hajj is in June. Over five to six days, pilgrims perform a series of important rituals involving prayer, walking long distances and visiting sacred sites.
While Hajj is a profoundly spiritual experience, it can present with physical and health-related challenges. Careful preparation is essential, and this is where community pharmacies can make a real difference.
Community pharmacy professionals are ideally placed to support pilgrims with pre-travel medicines and health advice. They can review people’s medication regimes, ensuring there is enough supply for the entire journey. Pharmacy professionals can also offer guidance on how to store medicines safely, particularly temperature-sensitive ones like insulin, and how to maintain a routine with medicines across time zones. They should also remind people to carry medicines in original packaging, with a prescription and GP letter, to avoid issues when travelling.
Vaccination advice is another key area. Pharmacy professionals can administer the required meningitis ACWY vaccine and recommend other important vaccinations such as influenza and COVID-19.
Community pharmacy staff can also offer practical health advice, including:
By offering culturally sensitive, person-centred advice, pharmacy professionals can help people feel confident and supported as they prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Thank you to Faiza Ali (CPPE education supervisor) for contributing this piece about Hajj.
Housekeeping
This monthly article covers significant dates in the six major faiths in the UK. We acknowledge that the calendar does not include every possible significant event, celebration and observance day. If you would like to contribute a few words on an event in the calendar or suggest an event that it does not cover, please contact sneha.varia@cppe.ac.uk.
