Bestway pharmacist's top tips for 'biggest ever flu season'

National pharmacy wholesaler Bestway Medhub is preparing for its largest ever flu season, with stock arriving soon into its supply chain and distribution network.

"The annual Flu jab service is a fantastic opportunity for independent pharmacies show their true value,” Paul Insley, head of Bestway Medhub and Wardles said.

Pharmacies are best placed to offer such important NHS and private healthcare services, he added.

Insley said: “We’ve been busy pre-selling vaccines for the last three months. We’ve seen our customers being very proactive this year securing stock to meet the demand for their patients. So far, we’ve already pre-sold triple the number of vaccines from the same time last year.

Last year, flu infection levels were low because of people not mixing, wearing masks, social distancing, and restricted travel, but this winter flu season in the UK is anticipated to be 50 per cent larger than usual.

“Flu can be a serious illness and the pharmacy sector has already shown they are highly experienced, trained and skilled to deliver large scale vaccination programmes,” he added.

To help pharmacists prepare for a successful flu service Insley has given three tips:

1. Engage the whole team: make sure that everyone in the team is briefed and geared up to make the service as easy and effortless as possible for patients.
2. Organise your stock: make sure your stock is segregated in your fridge in the pharmacy – set aside any vaccines for patients which have pre-booked appointments to avoid disappointment.
3. Opportunity to cross-sell: when offering the flu jab service, make sure you talk to patients about the additional services your pharmacy offers.