Summer is almost here, and that means your pharmacy patients are starting to make plans for vacation travel. Disney World, summer camps, or travel abroad, you should encourage them to start planning at least four to six weeks before they take off. Here are ways you can support your patients as they’re getting ready to pack their bags:
Offer travel vaccines
If they’re traveling abroad, find out what country they’re visiting and make sure they’re up-to-date on all of their routine vaccines such as: tetanus, flu, and COVID-19. If they’re traveling abroad, there are certain travel vaccines may be required or recommended, such as:
- hepatitis B
- typhoid
- chikungunya
- yellow fever
If your pharmacy doesn’t offer all of the travel vaccines out there, you can still help by directing patients to a the CDC travelers’ health website. They can learn more about travel vaccine requirements by country and to prepare for their trip. You might also recommend that patients bring their documentation of any required vaccines and a current list of their medications, allergies, and medical conditions. (It’s a good idea to carry a printed copy along, too. It can be helpful if cellular service or Wi-Fi are limited at their destination.) With high-risk patients, you can suggest wearing a medical ID bracelet or necklace.
Advise patients to request extra refills
Be sure your patients won’t run out of medications during their trip. Remind them to pack plenty of medication to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days’ supply. They should also refill their medications in advance to allow plenty of time for processing or delays.
Give tips on how to pack medications for travel
If your patients are using temperature-sensitive medications, such as insulin, they may need your guidance on traveling with refrigerated medications. Remind them not to store these medications in checked luggage or anywhere that is subject to extreme temperature changes (i.e. trunk of a car or a cargo hold). Recommend using insulated bags with gel packs to keep a safe temperature while traveling.
Educate patients on international restrictions
It’s tricky to travel with prescription drugs internationally. Not all drugs that are legal in the U.S. are legal in other countries. They may be banned or heavily restricted, such as narcotics, stimulants, or sedatives. In fact, some countries might limit quantities or even prohibit medications. You can help your patients understand the nuances and avoid unintended legal issues abroad. You can also encourage patients to talk with their doctors about alternative medications they can take during their trip.
Help them prepare with a travel first-aid kit
Assist your patients on how to prepare for common summer health concerns. Recommend a travel-friendly health kit stocked with over-the-counter (OTC) medications to bring on vacation. Items you can suggest include: pain relievers, antidiarrheals, antihistamines, motion sickness remedies, sunscreen SPF30 or higher, insect repellent, adhesive bandages in various sizes, etc.
You can also recommend OTC products to help patients stay safe and healthy during outdoor adventures like camping and hiking. Insect bites, poison ivy, and other skin rashes are common concerns during outdoor activities. Patients can benefit from calamine lotion, antihistamines, and hydrocortisone cream to help with itching and inflammation.
A Member-Owned Company Serving Independent Pharmacies
PBA Health is dedicated to helping independent pharmacies reach their full potential on the buy-side of their business. Founded and run by pharmacists, PBA Health serves independent pharmacies with group purchasing services, wholesaler contract negotiations, proprietary purchasing tools, and more.
An HDA member, PBA Health operates its own NABP-accredited warehouse with more than 6,000 SKUs, including brands, generics, narcotics CII-CV, cold-storage products, and over-the-counter (OTC) products — offering the lowest prices in the secondary market.
