Cough, cold, and flu season is always a busy time in the pharmacy filled with antibiotic scripts, OTCs, and so. much. Tamiflu©. This year, with back-to-back COVID tests and vaccines plus customers on the  hunt for the elusive home test, there doesn't seem to be a spare minute in the day to think about the other illnesses that have patients feeling yucky. In spite of the COVID chaos, we want to help make it easy for you to continue helping your patients take their medicine. We've put together these top tips for cough, cold, and flu season flavoring success:

It’s no secret that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians experience a high level of stress on the job. They are responsible for making sure their patients get their medicine safely and accurately, but conditions in the pharmacy do not always facilitate the concentration needed to do their job to the best of their ability. Many pharmacists report that they feel pushed to meet nearly impossible metrics that emphasize quantity of patients over quality of service. Add in long hours and staff shortages and you have an overworked profession pushed to the point where errors are more likely to happen. Additional responsibilities like COVID vaccination and testing have only intensified stress put on a workforce already strained to its breaking point. 

It’s clear that a change is needed in the pharmacy industry that will improve working conditions for pharmacy employees, therefore improving patient safety. Pharmacies across the country are now looking to pharmacy automation systems for a solution to save time and reduce errors. Pharmacy automation uses machines to automate tasks in the pharmacy workflow, freeing up pharmacy staff for important customer-focused duties.

When a day's patients could include everything from rodents to reptiles to rabbits, exotic pet veterinarians have to be prepared with the knowledge and skills needed to treat the wide variety of conditions affecting the diverse species they treat. Dr. Robert Ness, veterinarian and owner of Ness Exotic Wellness Center, has found that combining high-end traditional veterinary services with alternative therapies has helped his staff provide top-notch care for the patients whose owners travel from throughout the Midwest to see them.

James Drug Store of Denham Springs, LA has the kind of rich history that only a business that's served its community for almost 90 years can have. From the Great Depression, World War II, the eradication of Polio, 4 LSU Tiger Football National Championships, and now the fight against COVID-19, the pharmacy has been there to support their town through the ups, the downs, and everything in between. By staying on the forefront of pharmacy technology and providing excellent patient care, the team at James Drug Store has blended the old with the new to create something great. We spoke with pharmacist in charge Patrick Brian to learn how James Drug Store puts their motto, "where old-fashioned personal service meets modern day medicine" into action.

Geaux Tigers! The James Drug team decked out in their purple and gold for an LSU win

To say pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have had an eventful few years would be a huge understatement. The fight against COVID-19 has consistently put pharmacies in the spotlight, with pharmacy professionals carrying much of the burden of COVID testing and vaccination. Despite a list of tasks and challenges that seems to grow by the day, pharmacists and techs continue to show up for their patients and provide the critical care their communities need.

Even before the pandemic hit, the FLAVORx team knew we needed a way to thank pharmacy professionals for all that they do. That's why we created the Care Force, as a way to celebrate pharmacy workers who go above and beyond for their patients with not only their flavoring program, but in all aspects of their job. The program has grown to almost 500 pharmacists and technicians who represent pharmacies all around the United States. During National Pharmacy Week, we're so proud to recognize our Care Force Captains who continue to make a real difference for their patients every single day!