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Key Finding #1 - Role of Pharmacist this Cold/Flu Season.

Key Finding #1 – Pharmacists expect that their role will increase this cold/flu season based on the following environmental factors: 1) Community pharmacists believe that this cold and flu season will bring more aggressive infections 2) Pharmacists report that the economic downturn will increase their role in healthcare this cold and flu season.

A new national survey of 505 pharmacists was conducted to understand the pharmacist’s insight and role in providing recommendations for cold and flu season. The survey, entitled, “National Pharmacist O.T.C. (Observations on the Treatment of Colds),” was sponsored by Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. an OTC healthcare company, and makers of Zicam products.

One key finding of the new survey showed that nine out of 10 pharmacists expected that they will play a greater role in health care this cold and flu season due to the economic downturn.

Another finding showed, 85 percent of pharmacists expect that the economic downturn will drive more patients to seek their consultation first before seeing a physician.

At a recent roundtable discussion about the results, lead by Dr. Fred Eckel, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Experiential Education at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy, pharmacists revealed that they feel that they’ve always endured a demanding occupation, given that they are the most accessible health care provider for patients.

This is one of five podcasts that will be made accessible to pharmacists over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for future updates that will reveal additional key findings from the survey.

Key Finding #2 - Pharmacists expect OTC cold and flu products to become more important this cold and flu season.

Key Finding #2 - Pharmacists expect OTC cold and flu products to become more important this cold and flu season.

The Pharmacist O.T.C. survey showed, most pharmacists expect the economic downturn to increase the importance of OTC products, with more patients opting for these instead of prescription drugs. Additionally, almost all pharmacists agree that when they make a recommendation for an OTC cold and flu product, patients usually purchase the product.

Pharmacists who attended the recent roundtable discussion about the survey agreed with the results, noting patients rarely seek the right products and should look to their pharmacists for recommendations. Further, attendees agreed that patients consider a pharmacist’s opinion just as important as those from their doctor.

Stay tuned for future updates that will reveal more about the pharmacists role, providing counsel and making recommendations, in key findings three-five from the survey.

Key Finding #3 - Few pharmacists actively search out information about OTC cold and flu products.

Key Finding #3 - Few pharmacists actively search out information about OTC cold and flu products.

The survey showed that only 37 percent of pharmacists say they actively search out information about OTC cold and flu products. Despite expectations for more questions about this category, only 30 percent of pharmacists feel very well-informed about OTC cold and flu products.

Dr. Eckel and other roundtable attendees acknowledged these results and confirmed that there is an overabundance of information sent to pharmacists, including label updates and formulation changes, which has confused pharmacists, specifically around OTC medications, proving that there is a need for more easy-to-understand, easy-to-access information.

Stay tuned for next week’s podcast which will discuss the importance of treating a cold early.

Key Finding #4 - Pharmacists feel it is important to treat a cold at the first sign of symptoms, though they report that most patients do not do so.

Key Finding #4 - Pharmacists feel it is important to treat a cold at the first sign of symptoms, though they report that most patients do not do so.

Although pharmacists recommend purchasing OTC cold and flu products at the first sign of symptoms, they report that most patients wait longer. In fact, the survey showed, 75 percent of pharmacists say most patients should purchase over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu products at the first sign of symptoms, while only 26 percent of their patients take this proactive approach.

Roundtable attendees agreed that patients wait too long to treat their symptoms and are unaware of treatments that shorten the duration of a cold. Further discussion focused on how pharmacy students play a pivotal role in OTC recommendations, early treatment options and patient care.

Next week's FINAL podcast, will show why pharmacists rank efficacy as the top consideration when providing counsel about OTC cold and flu products.

Key Finding #5 - Efficacy is the most important consideration for pharmacists providing counsel about OTC cold and flu products; oral zinc-based remedies found most effective in shortening the duration of a cold.

Key Finding #5 - Efficacy is the most important consideration for pharmacists providing counsel about OTC cold and flu products; oral zinc-based remedies found most effective in shortening the duration of a cold.

The survey showed 66 percent of pharmacists who feel treating early is very important are more likely to rate oral zinc-based remedies as effective at quickly shortening a cold's duration; however, despite the fact that oral zinc-based remedies are seen as more effective to shorten the duration of a cold, 53 percent of pharmacists are most likely to recommend multi-symptom relief products to help patients who come in at the first sign of symptoms get over their cold faster.

Dr. Eckel and the roundtable discussed how there are a lot of misperceptions with multi-symptoms products; however, because patients rarely seek treatment at first signs, pharmacists are going to recommend what they need at the stage of their illness. Discussion also included:
- The importance of efficacy messages relating to patient consultation.
- The need for product samples as well as interpretable studies that show the safety/efficacy of a product.
- The need for information regarding correct delivery of oral zinc-based products.

We hope you have found this podcast series educational and informative. If you would like more information about the Pharmacist O.T.C. survey, the role of the pharmacist, helping patients treat their colds earlier and oral zinc based products, please visit www.pharmacytimes.com/cold-and-flu.