CHS Pharmacy News
March 2026
Business Hours
Normal business hours are 9 AM – 5:30 PM M-F, and 9 AM – 3PM Saturday and Closed on Sunday
*Emergency services available 24/7/365
Colorectal Screening*
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is observed every March to raise awareness about the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.. Designated in 2000, this initiative emphasizes that regular screenings (starting at age 45) can prevent, detect, and treat colorectal cancer. Activities include wearing blue, 5K runs, and educational events.
Colorectal Health**
Beyond clinical screenings, you can significantly lower your risk through daily habits: prioritize a high-fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetables, limit processed and red meats, and aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding tobacco are also vital, as obesity and smoking are major modifiable risk factors.
Aspects of Gut Medication Absorption***
Most medications are absorbed in the upper small intestine, which provides an ideal environment due to its large surface area, rich blood supply, and favorable pH. Although the stomach helps break down tablets and can absorb a few acidic, lipid‑soluble drugs such as aspirin, its primary role is serving as a reservoir that releases medication into the intestine. Once in the small intestine, drugs cross into the bloodstream through several mechanisms including passive diffusion, active transport via carrier proteins, or movement between cells for small, polar molecules.
Several factors influence how well a medication is absorbed. Drug properties such as solubility and lipophilicity affect how easily they cross cell membranes, with fat‑soluble drugs moving more readily. Diet also plays a role: high‑fat meals can slow absorption by delaying gastric emptying, while high‑fiber foods may bind medications and reduce their uptake. Changes in pH from the acidic stomach to the more alkaline intestine determine whether a drug is in a form that can be absorbed, and conditions that speed intestinal transit—such as diarrhea or laxative use—can reduce the time available for absorption. After entering the bloodstream, many drugs undergo first‑pass metabolism in the liver, where they may be partially broken down before reaching the rest of the body.
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day, observed on March 17, began in Ireland more than a thousand years ago as a religious feast day honoring Saint Patrick, the 5th‑century missionary credited with bringing Christianity to the island. Irish immigrants later carried these traditions abroad, especially to the United States, where the day gradually shifted from a solemn religious observance to a broader celebration of Irish culture, now marked by parades, music, and the wearing of green.
The future depends on what you do today
- * Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Accessed February 23, 2026 colorectalcancer.org
- ** UCSF Health. Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Screening. Accessed February 23, 2026 ucsfhealth.org
- *** Murakami T. Absorption sites of orally administered drugs in the small intestine. Expert Opin Drug Discov. 2017;12(12):1219-1232. doi:10.1080/17460441.2017.1378176