I posted earlier today (here) about the importance of folic acid before and during pregnancy and have just been informed by the lovely people at ASDA that they will be giving it out for free to women who are pregnant or trying to conceive from next week. This news comes hot on the heels of their announcement last month that you could also get free Vitamin D tablets for kids. (Click here if you missed that blogpost.) Well done ASDA! If you're planning on having a baby any time soon, make sure you head along and stock up during their baby event in April/May.
*************************************************
ASDA
IS FIRST RETAILER TO OFFER FREE FOLIC ACID
Asda
Pharmacy launches first of-its-kind initiative for pregnant women and
mums-to-be
In
an industry first, Asda Pharmacy today announces a pledge to make the
essential vitamin, folic acid, accessible to all women free
of charge if
they are pregnant or trying to conceive. From April 23, 2012 it will
be handed out with a ‘Healthy Pregnancy Guide’ produced by the
baby charity Tommy’s as part of the supermarket’s baby event.
Asda
Pharmacy is championing the free folic acid giveaway as three in 10
women
do not take the supplement because they are unaware of its vital
importance. While some local Primary Care Trusts give pregnant women
NHS Healthy Start Vitamins (containing Folic Acid) for free, it is
inconsistent across the country. Asda Pharmacy wants to ensure the
three month supply is free of charge for all women trying to conceive
and during the early stages of pregnancy, regardless of their
postcode.
Faisal
Tuddy, deputy superintendant pharmacist at Asda said: “Asda
Pharmacy puts customers’ needs first, and expectant mums are no
different. Folic Acid is an essential supplement required during
pregnancy to reduce a number of risks including neural tube disorders
in babies so we’re delighted to be able announce this commitment
to providing folic acid free of charge to those who need it.”
“Working
in partnership with Tommy’s, we will continue to help provide
support and advice for women trying for a baby, mums-to-be and new
mums. Women can visit any Asda Pharmacy, at any time, for information
or guidance on pregnancy starting from as early as the pre-conception
stage - and it costs nothing.”
A
visit to Asda Pharmacy will also give women immediate access to a
fully qualified health professional who can offer invaluable advice
on health, diet and tips for sustaining a healthy pregnancy. Through
the partnership with Tommy’s, Asda Pharmacy will be giving away,
free of charge, the Tommy’s
‘Having a Healthy Pregnancy’ Guide, an
indepth support book full of
lifestyle advice on diet and
nutrition, weight management, exercise, smoking cessation and general
well-being to help women maximize their pregnancy health from
planning through to birth. This
pregnancy guide is currently the only extensive free expert-endorsed
publication available to new mums and includes contributions from
both medical and health professionals.
Dr
Beckie Lang, Health Campaigns Manager at Tommy’s added: “We’re
delighted to be supporting Asda Pharmacy’s Folic Acid initiative.
At Tommy’s, we believe that every parent has the right to a sound
pregnancy and healthy baby. Our partnership with Asda allows
expectant mums to pick up our guide ‘Having a healthy pregnancy’
in store for free, together with the Folic Acid. We are hopeful
that increasing access to these benefits will ultimately lead to
fewer problems in pregnancy for women across the UK.”
Visit
your local Asda Pharmacy or
if you’re not sure where that is you can find details at the store
locator at www.asda.co.uk.
Asda Pharmacy is
availabile in 218 Asda stores.
The
Asda baby event takes place in store and online from 23rd
April – 14th
May.
Department
of Health information on Folic Acid can be found here:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Nutrition/Nutritionpregnancyearlyyears/DH_127622
Folic
Acid Prices
Retailer
|
Folic
Acid Price (400mg
tablets)
|
Price
per Tablet
|
ASDA
|
0
(90 tablets)
|
0
|
Tesco
|
£1
(120 tablets)
|
0.8p
|
Sainsbury’s
|
£1.03
(90 tablets)
|
1.1p
|
Boots
|
£5.99
(180 tablets)
|
3.3p
|
Superdrug
|
£3.49
(112 tablets)
|
3.1p
|
Holland
and Barrett
|
£6.45
(250 tablets)
|
2.6p
|
About
Folic Acid
Folic
acid can reduce the risk of neural tube defects, such as Spina
Bifida, in babies. While some foods are good sources of folate,
folic acid in it’s natural form, its not enough to give you the
amounts you need during pregnancy.
From
at least three months before trying to conceive, women should take a
400mcg supplement of folic acid a day. This dosage should be
continued right through to the end of your first trimester (12
weeks).
About
Asda Pharmacy
Asda
has 218 pharmacies around the UK with over 100 of those staying open
until 11pm. Through their partnerships with national charities
including Diabetes UK, the Blood Pressure Association and the British
Heart Foundation, they offer a number of services for their shoppers
including free diabetes testing, blood pressure ‘MOT’ tests and
BMI checks. Other services available from Asda Pharmacies include
Not for Profit IVF, Not for Profit Cancer drugs, low priced
medication for pets and anti-malaria medication available without a
prescription.
About
Tommy’s
Tommy’s
believe every pregnancy should have a happy ending. Tommy’s want to
give every baby the best chance of being born healthy, so work to
fund medical research into the causes of premature birth, stillbirth
and miscarriage, and provide a free information service that educates
all parents-to-be about health in pregnancy. Tommy’s information
service is informed by medical research and includes a telephone
midwife service, a comprehensive website and free books and leaflets
promoting health in pregnancy. By 2030 Tommy’s aim to halve the
number of babies who die during pregnancy or birth.
Tommy’s
registered charity number is 1060508 and SC039280.
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WHat a fantastic idea - hope the other supermarkets follow suit
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading more.
Thanks Again. Will read on…