Stocking Up for Sniffles: Your 2023 Flu Season Pharmacy Checklist

Autumn is just starting to make its debut, but trust us: flu season will hit faster than you can say “goodbye, summer!” Now’s the time for pharmacies to plan and stock up for influenza’s heyday.

Last year’s “tripledemic” of influenza, COVID, and RSV left many pharmacies scrambling for supplies and staff. Fortunately, this year we have a few more weapons at our disposal, including new vaccines and treatments like Beyfortus for RSV.

Still, health experts are predicting a bit of a rough flu season and an earlier-than-usual spike in illness, based on surveillance reports in Australia. Therefore, if you’re in the pharmacy industry, get ready to batten down the hatches and prepare.

That’s what we’re here to help with.

At Total Pharmacy Supply, we provide chain, independent, and hospital pharmacies with everything they need to survive the flu season. This year, we’re also providing a checklist of sorts to help you stock up on the right supplies and strategize for 2023’s influenza.

Take a look at this step-by-step list to get your pre-flu initiatives started.

Step 1: Understand What You’re Up Against

Last year was an especially bad flu year, but as infectious disease physician Michael A. Ben-Aderet said, “Even a normal flu year is still something to worry about.”

No one can predict exactly what's to come in this upcoming flu season months, but we do have some clues based on last year’s season and the presence of COVID-19.

Many find it surprising to hear that flu rates were actually milder in COVID-19 years than in pre-COVID-19 years. This could be partially due to mitigating measures that were employed, such as wearing face masks and strictly keeping sick kids away from school.

As more people move away from using protective masks and other methods, it’s possible that we could see flu rates escalate to pre-pandemic levels. The most prevalent flu strain in the United States right now appears highly transmissible and especially common in children.

All in all, the pharmacy and drugstore industry needs to be prepared for both COVID-19 and flu patients this fall and winter. We might not know what the future holds, but we can definitely expect to see an influx of sick customers.

Step 2: Stock Up on Testing Supplies

As the flu joins COVID-19 this fall, your pharmacy will likely get a lot of customers seeking testing supplies to determine the culprit behind their symptoms. It’s not always easy to tell the difference between the two illnesses – their symptoms tend to overlap.

That’s why it’s vital that you have the right testing materials on hand. When you can accurately tell customers which sickness they’re suffering from, you can better equip them with the right medications and strategies to feel better.

There are some exciting new tools out there for pharmacists, including the BD Veritor testing solution that can rapidly detect SARS-COV-2, Flu A+B, Group A Strep, and RSV.

Whatever testing methods your pharmacy decides to use, make sure you’re fully stocked with tests as well as flu and COVID-19 supplies, such as face mask dispensers and disposable facial shields.

Step 3: Staff and Schedule Accordingly

It’s no secret that the pharmacy industry has been and will likely continue to experience staffing shortages. More than 70% of pharmacies were struggling to fill staff positions in 2022, and this year, many will still be stretched thin as the flu arrives in full force.

As your pharmacy enters the busiest half of the year, start discussions about how you will staff and schedule to meet your customers’ needs. Things might not be too chaotic right now, but are you prepared for that to change? How will you prevent burnout and keep the pharmacy operating at peak capacity?

If you’re not sure what to expect from this year’s staffing needs, try using reports from your point-of-sale system to evaluate traffic based on set blocks of time and days of the week. When are your busiest shifts, and are you hiring and scheduling employees accordingly?

Also, take a look at your sales from last year. What time of the year were you the busiest? How can you make data-driven decisions about how your pharmacy will operate this year?

Of course, it’s not just about having enough hands on deck – it’s also about having the right equipment to support your team. Use the next few weeks to fully stock up on all the pharmacy supplies your employees will need to fully serve customers and stay safe.

Step 4: Order and Advertise Influenza Vaccinations

If you haven’t already, now is the time to launch your pharmacy’s full flu vaccination campaign. The earlier you can get local residents vaccinated and protected, the better.

Fortunately, early research indicates that the 2023-2024 flu shot should prove highly effective. At a minimum, the vaccine did a good job of keeping people out of the hospital during the Southern Hemisphere’s flu season months.

According to the CDC, the best time to get the flu vaccine is in September or October, before the season begins in full strength. The CDC also recommends the vaccine for:

• All adults, especially those 65 and older
• Pregnant people in their first and second trimesters
• Children of six months of age and older 

Flu shot rates were slightly down in 2022, but health experts hope to vaccinate more Americans in 2023. Pharmacies and their local campaigns will play a big role in educating people about the flu and getting people vaccinated.

If you haven’t already, ensure your pharmacy is stocked up on the vaccination. You should also double-check your vaccination-related equipment supply, such as the number of sharp containers you’ll need to order for the next few months.

Then, begin heavily advertising flu shots by word-of-mouth, in-store banners, emails, and any other means of effective communication. You may even want to offer in-store discounts to those who get their flu shot and change your on-hold phone message to promote the vaccine. 

Step 5: Research Your Reimbursement Options

During flu season months, your pharmacy will experience a surge in patient visits. Some will seek vaccinations, but others will ask for over-the-counter medications, advice on managing symptoms, and prescriptions.

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: this increased demand puts additional strain on your pharmacy’s resources and staff. Even more frustratingly, getting reimbursed for these extended services can be complex (and headache-inducing).

There are many different payers you may need to work with, including…

• Insurance companies
• Government programs
• Private insurers 

All will have their own reimbursement policies and procedures, and navigating them can feel daunting. That’s why your pharmacy needs to start keeping careful records now and researching how these reimbursements will work.

The more knowledgeable you are about different reimbursement options, the more efficient your processes will be later on in the flu season. 

Let Us Help You Prepare for the Flu Season Months

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s the importance of preparedness. Summer is drawing to a close, and now is the ideal time to stock up and get ready in your own drugstore or pharmacy.

At Total Pharmacy Supply, we’re here to help. Browse our website for all your crucial supplies, from equipment and RX packaging to general office supplies.

Can’t find what you need? Give us a call at 800-878-2822 or send us a message online. One of our pharmacy experts will get back to you shortly.