Blog Posts

Maryland Pharmacists Can Now Dispense Naloxone under Statewide Standing Order

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Yesterday, Dr. Howard Haft of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) issued a statewide standing order that allows pharmacists to dispense naloxone to individuals holding a training certificate under Maryland’s Overdose Response Program (ORP). See the press release here.

naloxone

Naloxone (trade names Narcan® and Evzio®) is a prescription medication that is used to reverse the effects of opioids – a class of drugs that includes prescription medications like oxycodone, codeine, and morphine, as well as illicit drugs like heroin. It is a life-saving medication that can restore breathing in an individual that has stopped breathing due to an opioid overdose. Naloxone can be adminstered intranasally, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously. It is not a controlled substance, which means it does not carry any risk of dependency. Side effects are minimial, if any, and are usually self-limiting.

Prior to this standing order, patients had to obtain a prescription from their doctor, which may have required them to schedule an appointment, explain to the doctor why they wished to carry a naloxone kit, and perhaps experience some pushback from the prescriber (due to lack of education about naloxone, level of comfortability prescribing naloxone, or other reasons). The time spent trying to obtain a prescription is valuable time lost, during which an overdose could occur.

Now, patients who have completed training through the Maryland ORP (and present a valid training certificate) may obtain a prescription from any pharmacy in Maryland under the new standing order. This is a huge win for pharmacists! DHMH is recognizing both our role in overdose prevention, as well as the trust our patients place in us as an integral part of their healthcare team. It has been said that pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare provider, with over 90% of Americans living within five minutes of a community pharmacy.

Under the standing order, patients will still be responsible for paying for the medication and/or kit, whether through prescription insurance or other means. Maryland Medical Assistance (Medicaid) covers the medication at a $1.00 copay. The nasal atomizer used to administer the naloxone intranasally is covered by Medicaid as a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) benefit.

If you or a loved one are interested in more information about naloxone, how to obtain it, consult one of these resources:

  • GetNaloxoneNow.org – great resource for patients and healthcare professionals alike
  • PrescribeToPrevent.org – dedicated to healthcare professionals, and includes information for prescribers and pharmacists, including patient education resources.

 

Photo credit: dispatch.org

Small Business Saturday

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Today marks the sixth annual Small Business Saturday, sponsored by American Express. The goal of Small Business Saturday is to promote holiday shopping at locally-owned businesses. Last year, an estimated $14.3 billion (yes, with a B) were reinvested into local economies. A 2004 study showed that spending one dollar at a local business keeps 68 cents in the local economy, while spending that same dollar at a chain or big-box store only keeps 43 cents in the local economy. Shopping at a chain store means over half the money you spend leaves the local community.

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I’m proud to work for a locally-owned independent pharmacy where we support our patients, but more importantly – we support our community. Our owner is active with his church and his children’s school, and has coached his kids’ sports teams for years. The pharmacy works closely with the Salvation Army and other local homeless shelters to provide much needed medications to the indigent population.

staff

To serve our profession, we accept student pharmacists for introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences from my alma mater, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy. Our pharmacists also serve on committees and task forces at the local health department. We schedule health fairs and give talks to local groups, including Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, Peninsula Regional Medical Center Diabetes Support Group, the Eastern Shore Lyme Association, and many others. We make a difference in our community, and we have our loyal, local patrons to thank for that opportunity.

I would encourage you to #ShopSmall as you prepare for the holidays this year, and contribute to your local economy. Never been to a local boutique shop or coffee house? Try it – I’m sure you’ll enjoy your experience!

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Visiting ΦΔΧ Brothers

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As I prepare to run for Grand Vice President for Communications, I plan to write a series of blog posts that summarize some of my personal experiences, my involvement in the Fraternity and the profession, and my vision for the future of Phi Delta Chi. I hope that you find this series informative and helpful in learning more about me as a Brother. Should any questions arise as you read these posts, please don’t hesitate to contact me! Alterum Alterius Auxilio Eget!

Perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve encountered as a Brother of Phi Delta Chi has been the opportunity to travel across the country and meet Brothers from other Chapters. Since I was initiated in the fall of 2011, I have had the blessing of being able to visit eight Chapters across the country. Most have been within the Mid-Atlantic Region (simply due to travel times). Many have been just weekend trips. Others have been for Grand Council or LDS. There is, however, one recurring theme among all these visits:  I had an amazing time meeting and networking with my Brothers. Here are a few highlights from my excursions.

Gamma Delta Chapter • Johnson City, TN • March 2012

My trip to Gamma Delta for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference (MARC) was my first trip to meet Brothers after I was initiated. Having just been elected WCC prior to the trip, I was prepared to learn as much as I could during the MARC weekend. It was in Johnson City that I first met Brothers from other Chapters, and it’s those same Brothers are some of my closest friends.

It was at MARC that I first experienced the leader development opportunities available to me as a Brother. I learned how to be a more effective leader, how to run the Chapter more efficiently, and – perhaps most importantly – what our motto, AAAE, really means.

I enjoyed exchanging ideas with Brothers from other Chapters, especially since our Chapter was so young at the time (chartered for only a year). Some of the changes that were implemented after this MARC are still in effect today.

Alpha Chapter • Ann Arbor, MI • November 2014

Albert Benjamin Prescott GraveI had the opportunity to visit the birthplace of our Fraternity at the University of Michigan for Founders’ Day 2014. Our weekend was jam packed with activities planned by the Alpha Chapter. My girlfriend (a Gamma Omicron Brother also) and I stayed with the Worthy Alumni Liaison who was overwhelmingly hospitable to us during our short weekend stay.

Perhaps the most humbling experience of the weekend was taking a historic walk to visit the address where the first Phi Delta Chi meeting was held, Albert Prescott’s old residence, and the grave site of our beloved Brother Prescott. The Alpha pledges did a fantastic job of cleaning the area surrounding Prescott’s burial plot, and the Chapter held a solemn ceremony at the cemetery. This allowed me to reflect on the sacrifices and hard work of the Brothers who have come before me. I was overcome with emotion as we laid red carnations on Prescott’s grave in remembrance of the former Dean of the College of Pharmacy and the first honorary Brother of our Fraternity.

Since this was also UM’s homecoming weekend, we made sure to spend some time watching the Michigan football game at a Brother’s home and partaking in homecoming festivities in Ann Arbor.

I encourage all of my Brothers to pledge to visit Ann Arbor at least once, to pay your respects to Dean Prescott at the cemetery (right off campus), and to experience all that Ann Arbor has to offer.

Visiting Brothers

Travel PaddleFor years, Brothers have said that some of the most valuable and memorable experiences of their life as a Brother have been when they meet Brothers while visiting other Chapters. If you haven’t visited any Chapters yet, I strongly urge you to consider planning a trip to a Chapter. It doesn’t have to be across the country – it can be 10 minutes away or 10 states away – but I guarantee your experience will be second to none. I’ve decided to make a paddle with the names of the Chapters I’ve visited so far (it needs some updating) to keep track of my journey. Where will I go next? All I need is a free weekend, a couch to sleep on, and some Brothers to bond with! Have you traveled to another Phi Delta Chi Chapter? Share your stories in the comments below!

June is National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

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Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month logo

As a pharmacist, my job is toughest when I have to dispense medications that are used to treat (or slow the progression of) Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. This difficulty stems from not only the complexity of the disease, but also the fact that I lost my Oma to Alzheimer’s disease five years ago this month.

Me (left) and Oma, circa early 1990s.

Oma and I, circa early 1990s.

Watching someone decline due to Alzheimer’s disease is something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. If you talk to people who have lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s disease, many will tell you that they lost their loved one twice:  once when they stopped recognizing them, and again when they actually passed away. As if it isn’t hard enough, right? Imagine telling your grandma that you love her, only to be confronted with a confused expression (or no expression at all) and a puzzled “Who are you?”  It’s absolutely devastating.

Did You Know?

  • Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
  • Alzheimer’s disease is the only disease in the top 10 causes of death that can’t be prevented, slowed, or cured.
  • Every 67 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease.
  • The annual global cost of Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to be $604 billion U.S. dollars.
  • There are ways you can decrease your risk for cognitive decline!

If you don’t know that much about Alzheimer’s disease, I’m asking that you take a few minutes and visit www.alz.org, where you can learn more about the disease and how to detect it early. With early detection, treatment can start earlier and the disease will not progress as quickly. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Learn the difference between senility and Alzheimer’s disease (HINT: They’re not the same. Alzheimer’s is more than just forgetting things). Raise awareness by changing your social media profile pictures for the month of June.

I love you, Oma, forever and a day.

Special Phi Delta Chi Announcement!

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Brothers,

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I think we can all agree that our Fraternity has provided each of us numerous opportunities that have helped shape us in to the pharmacists and student pharmacists we are today. Whether Phi Delta Chi helped you find a friend, a colleague, a preceptor, a boss, or even a spouse, I’m sure it’s unanimous that our lives have been enriched in a positive way because of our Fraternity. I often reflect on how I can give back to Phi Delta Chi, despite the fact that I may never fully repay the debts it has provided me.

After much thought and prayer, I have decided to run for Grand Vice President for Communications. The primary responsibility of this office, as I’m sure you are aware, is to edit and oversee the publication of The Communicator and e-Communicator. It would be an honor to help keep our Brothers across the country connected through these two publications.

I ask you to review my experience, qualifications, and candidate statement when it becomes available, and contact me directly with any questions you may have. I appreciate your support, and look forward to seeing you all at the 70th Grand Council in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Thanks for reading this post!

Alterum Alterius Auxilio Eget,

Eric

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Provider Status: 2015 Edition

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All of my pharmacy friends should be familiar with the term “provider status.” It’s a phrase that gets tossed around in all areas of pharmacy practice – but what does it really mean?

If you’re not a pharmacist or student pharmacist, I have a question for you. Would you consider your pharmacist a healthcare provider?

Believe it or not, according to the Social Security Act, pharmacists are not considered healthcare providers under Medicare. What does that mean? That means that pharmacists who provide the same services as other healthcare providers are ineligible for payment for these services. This also means Medicare doesn’t cover certain services when they’re provided by a pharmacist. This could mean that beneficiaries may have to travel hours or perhaps even across state lines to see a practitioner that can provide the services they need.

What provider status is:

  • Provider status has been introduced in both the House of Representatives (H.R. 592) and the Senate (S. 314) as the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act.
  • It is a bipartisan bill to increase patient access to pharmacists’ care, especially in medically underserved communities (Do you live or work in a medically underserved community or healthcare provider shortage area? Click here to find out.)
  • The fact that both of these bills have been introduced in both chambers of Congress is a great testament to the growing momentum behind the provider status movement. Last year, a bill was introduced in only the House of Representatives (H.R. 4190). After much work by pharmacists and student pharmacists across the country, there were 123 bipartisan cosponsors of the bill as of the end of 2014.
  • Provider status will help fix the problem of medication non-adherence — in total healthcare costs, that’s a $290 billion (with a B) problem — by increasing access to pharmacists, who are the medication experts.
  • With more and more Americans gaining healthcare coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), there is an increased need for accessibility to care. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects that, by 2020, there will be more than 91,000 fewer doctors than needed to meet demand, and the impact will be most severe on underserved populations. Nearly 90% of Americans live within five miles of a community retail pharmacy, making pharmacists one of the most accessible healthcare team members.
  • The goal of provider status is to increase access to care by utilizing pharmacists as an integral part of the healthcare team to optimize medication regimens and improve patient health outcomes.

What provider status is NOT:

  • Pharmacists do not seek to expand their scope of practice. Pharmacists will not be able to prescribe, they will not be able to diagnose, and they do not wish to “intrude” on physicians’ (or other providers’) respective scopes of practice. Pharmacists’ scope of practice will still be dictated by state law, not federal law.
  • Provider status will not mean that pharmacists get paid more than other providers for providing the same services.
  • You will not have to pay your pharmacist to get the same personalized care you’ve come to expect.

If you’re a pharmacist or student pharmacist, I urge you to become involved and advocate for the future of our profession. Talk to your family, your friends, your colleagues, and your congressmen. Not sure what to say? Here are the basics:

  1. Pharmacists have more medication education and training than any other health care professional.

  2. When pharmacists are included on patients’ health care teams, the quality of care increases and outcomes improve.

  3. Physicians, nurses, dieticians, chiropractors, and midwives are all recognized as health care providers.

  4. PHARMACISTS ARE NOT CURRENTLY RECOGNIZED AS HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS! YOU can change that!

If you’re not a pharmacist or student pharmacist, and have read this far: THANK YOU! The word is getting out. If you want to help, call your representatives in Washington and urge them to support S. 314 or H.R. 592. Tell them a story of how a pharmacist helped you. Explain to them what provider status really means. I’m always available to talk if you’d like more information, or if you have any questions.

We were able to convince 123 Republicans AND Democrats in Washington last year that provider status was worth it. Let’s make this continue to grow this year! Our advocacy efforts paid off, but the job isn’t done yet. Pharmacy has come a long way thanks to the men and women who came before us. We would be doing them an enormous disservice if we didn’t continue to advance our profession.

Thank you for reading.

H/T to the American Pharmacists Association, the Patient Access to Pharmacists’ Care Coalition, and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores for some of the statistics presented in this post.

What does “family” mean to you?

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My family has been my support throughout my entire life. From teaching me how to walk and read, to watching me walk across the stage and receive my Doctor of Pharmacy diploma, they’ve always been there. When something was wrong, they answered my calls. When I was nervous, they calmed me. When I accomplished something worth bragging about, they did the bragging. Let’s face it:  My family rocks.

My parents have taught me that hard work pays off, true love conquers all, and that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. (Shout-out to my mom, who is currently attending college at the age of 56 to fulfill a lifelong dream she’s had – to graduate college. And she’s doing that while continuing to raise a family and work full time. Mom, you’re a rockstar and I love you!) My brother has shown me that having a positive outlook on life can help you overcome even the worst of circumstances. (Shout-out to him for celebrating six years as a clean recovering addict. I’m so proud to call you my best friend.) And lastly, my sister has taught me that even when you can’t communicate with words, magical things can happen. (She’s been riding horses since she was a little girl, and when I see the way that she and the horse become one when she’s riding, it’s absolutely breathtaking.)

Some of you may already know this story, but I’ll tell (a brief version of) it anyway. When my mom was nineteen, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl whom she placed for adoption. About ten years ago, that baby girl (who had grown to her 20s) found my mom (and our family) after much searching. To have this addition to my family was (and is) truly a blessing. She now lives with her husband and two beautiful daughters (which makes me a proud Uncle Eric) in Northern Virginia. This unique story makes my family even more special!

My mom is one of ten children, so needless to say, I’ve got a huge family. My dad only has one sister, but his side of the family is just as special to me. In losing both of my paternal grandparents (Oma in 2010 and Opa just a few short weeks ago), I have had time to reflect on just how awesome the gift of family really is.

Having such a wonderful family has given me a clear picture of what I desire when starting a family of my own:  A supportive wife who will be by my side “in good times and in bad”, that God will bless me with children who will work hard to succeed, and of course a dog to spoil!

World Meeting of Families 2015 Philadelphia

The World Meeting of Families was created in 1994 by Pope John Paul II to explore the critical role the family plays in society and to give families opportunities to talk about the challenges and blessings that all families have. This year, the World Meeting of Families is being held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from September 22-27, 2015. What a truly exciting time this is for my faith, the Catholic Church, and the City of Philadelphia. With this worldwide celebration being held in the United States, there has been much prayerful reflection on the concept of family in my church. I invite you to pray the following prayer with your family:

God and Father of us all,
in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,
you have made us
your sons and daughters
in the family of the Church.

May your grace and love
help our families
in every part of the world
be united to one another
in fidelity to the Gospel.

May the example of the Holy Family,
with the aid of your Holy Spirit,
guide all families, especially those most troubled,
to be homes of communion and prayer
and to always seek your truth and live in your love.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!

Families can be so different and unique, but what unites all families is their love for one another and the memories they share together. As the old adage goes, “We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.” So, in closing, I ask all of you:  What does “family” mean to you?

My family (and Melissa!) celebrating my graduation from pharmacy school

My family (and Melissa!) celebrating my graduation from pharmacy school.

A Family Tradition.

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ICYMI: The United States Olympic Committee has slated Boston as a bid city for the 2024 Olympics.

Wow.

This is especially exciting for me, since I am fortunate to have two Olympic athletes in my family. My Uncle Mike is the head coach for the United States Men’s Rowing Team and has been in every Olympics (either as an alternate, athlete, or coach) since 1984. He won a bronze medal in Seoul, South Korea in 1988. My Uncle Paul has also competed in the Sydney (2000), Athens (2004), and Beijing (2008) Olympics.

It’s also exciting for me since I attended the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, China. See an embarrassingly old picture here:

Me with HuanHuan, one of the mascots from the 2008 Olympics.

I remember sitting in Nana and Pop-pop’s kitchen in the summer of 1996 watching the Olympics on their small television. My Uncle Mike was in Atlanta with all those other athletes, and I wasn’t going to miss seeing this. Sure, I was only 8 years old, but those memories will never fade. I remember thinking, “One day, I have to get to see the Olympics in person.” Well, in 2008, that dream came true. I got to see a foreign country, I got to eat their food, see the sights (the Great Wall is absolutely breathtaking), and best of all:  see my family members compete.

If you haven’t attended an Olympic games, it may be a nice addition to your bucket list. You get to see (and meet) the world’s greatest athletes compete. It’s the one time every two years (including Winter Olympics) that the world can come together for friendly competition. The Olympic Spirit is so contagious. And if for nothing else, you get to experience an entirely new country, culture, food, and perhaps language!

I encourage you to join me in supporting the #Boston2024 movement. Not for Boston. Not even for Massachusetts.

Do it for America. Do it for the world!

Werner A. Barbye, 1925-2015.

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On Sunday, I had to say goodbye to Opa, my paternal grandfather. He was 89.

Opa and I after my graduation from pharmacy school

Opa and I after my graduation from pharmacy school

He was predeceased by his loving wife Elfriede:

He was admitted to the hospital on Thursday, January 8 with pneumonia in his right lung. He was largely unresponsive at the hospital, so the decision was made to bring him back to the nursing home and begin hospice care. After receiving the phone call from my mom with the details of the hospitalization, I made the decision to head home to New Jersey for the weekend to spend time with Opa and my family. In retrospect, this was probably the best decision I’ve made in recent memory. Opa passed away very peacefully with our family by his side on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 4:00pm.

My memories of Opa are fond, and were brought back to life as we looked through hundreds (thousands?) of old family pictures this past weekend. Trips to the Aquatic Swim Club, Christmases in Oma and Opa’s basement, and walks around their neighborhood were well-chronicled, as Opa was often seen with camera in hand. We used to walk up Bullens Lane to the I-476 overpass, where Oma and Opa would let us stand up against the fence and pump our arms in hopes that a few big rigs would honk their air horns (you know what I’m talking about, right?) We would sit at the corner of MacDade Boulevard and count how many car carriers would drive by, anxiously waiting for Oma and Opa to let us have a few Gummibären. I still remember how Opa taught us the “right way” to pronounce Hechinger. Opa traveled with my family and I to Germany in 1998, where we celebrated Oma’s 70th birthday. From marching in the Steuben Parade in Philadelphia as a child, to drinking fine German Weißbier today, Opa taught me to always be proud of my German heritage.

Opa fought in the German army in World War II. He was captured as a prisoner of war by the Americans and was held at Camp Pickett in Virginia. I remember him telling me that, even as a prisoner of war, that was the best he was ever treated during the war. I’m fortunate to say I’ve heard some stories that will never be published in any history book.

In Opa’s later years, he and Oma moved into the Woodbury Mews, an assisted living facility not far from my parents’ house in New Jersey. Oma’s progressing Alzheimer’s dementia and Opa’s progressing Parkinson’s disease necessitated more advanced care than we would have been able to provide. Opa used to visit his bride every day, despite living on opposite sides of the Mews (Oma lived in a special dementia unit that provided closer supervision and care for patients with advanced memory disorders.) I vividly remember sitting by Oma’s bedside with Opa many times, but especially when Oma had been placed on hospice care. That was the only time in my entire life that I’ve seen Opa cry.

If you’ve read this far, thank you. If you’ve called or texted me or my family, thank you. If you’ve expressed your condolences via Facebook, thank you. Your support, thoughts, and prayers have helped my family through this difficult time. Opa’s memory will live on forever. Please stay tuned to Facebook for funeral service details.

As I’ve posted on Facebook, the German word for “goodbye” is “auf wiedersehen.” Literally, this can be roughly translated to “until we see (each other) again.”

Ich liebe dich, Opa. Auf wiedersehen.

A Retail Pharmacist’s Opinion on Tamiflu.

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“What do you MEAN you’re out of stock?!”

This blog post is brought to you by the patient who had a prescription for #30 Tamiflu 75mg sent to our pharmacy by his primary care physician “just in case” he got sick. (That’s three 5-day treatment courses.) The blatant disregard for public health by both the patient and the prescriber made my blood boil. Here’s a little history on Tamiflu, for those of you who may not be familiar with it.

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an anti-viral drug that is FDA approved for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated influenza in patients 2 weeks of age and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days, and for the prophylaxis of influenza in patients 1 year and older. What exactly does that mean? It’s approved to treat the flu if you’re at least two weeks of age, and you start taking it within two (2) days of your first symptoms, or to prevent the flu (“prophylaxis”). It’s usually given twice daily for five days (treatment) or once daily for 10 days (prophylaxis).

Now, there’s a few caveats to using Tamiflu. It hasn’t been shown to be effective after 48 hours of symptom onset. It’s not a replacement for the annual flu vaccine. I repeat:  It’s not a replacement for the annual flu vaccine. It’s also not approved for other types of viruses (like the cold virus, which coincidentally seems to strike around the same time as the flu).

For those of you who do not work in the pharmacy world, Tamiflu has historically seen shortages in past flu seasons – and this flu season is no exception. It’s been on backorder from various wholesalers, and pharmacies are exhausting their current inventory left and right. The fact that this patient wanted three boxes of Tamiflu “just in case” absolutely frustrated me. While I don’t know the circumstances, I would guess that the patient didn’t get their flu shot, and now they’re scared about getting the flu. Maybe they saw all the media coverage about how this year’s flu vaccine wasn’t a perfect match for the strain of flu that is making people sick (for the record – making a vaccine that’s a perfect match a full year ahead of time is tough. It’s trying to predict the future.) Perhaps the patient is just greedy, and wants to make sure his Zombie Apocalypse Kit has enough Tamiflu for their family.

In clinical studies, Tamiflu shortened the duration of flu an average of 1.3 days. That’s right, an extra day of wellness. One day. Is it worth the cost? One course of treatment can easily cost $100 or more, and not much better with some insurance plans. For some people, of course, it’s worth it. But does everyone who gets a runny nose, cough, and body aches absolutely need to spend the money on this? By the time you schedule a doctor’s appointment, get a prescription, bring it to the pharmacy, (the pharmacy may have to order it), and begin your treatment, you’ve already used up the day that it’s going to save you.

Now, for someone who has a weakened immune system, or a patient who has been hospitalized, of course the circumstances are different. One journal article looked at using Tamiflu outside the standard dosing regimens. It was found that Tamiflu improved survival if used within five days for patients hospitalized to the Intensive Care Unit, but showed little to no benefit in other populations.

Influenza is a serious illness, albeit one with proven prevention and treatment strategies. Please, everyone, get your flu shot! If you do come down with an illness during flu season, you should visit your doctor to make sure that what you have is indeed the flu and not just a cold. Visit your doctor, but be aware that Tamiflu may not help you if you’ve had symptoms for more than 48 hours, or if you don’t actually have the flu virus. When in doubt, feel free to ask your family pharmacist! (Just don’t bring us a prescription for 30 capsules of Tamiflu. We will judge you, and we will likely turn you away because we don’t have it.)