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Travel patient group directions offer pharmacy teams yet another way to engage with customers and highlight pharmacy as the first port of call for health, says Sue Hobdey, NPA’s head of learning and development

With the summer holiday period underway and many people jetting off for sunnier climes, there’s a whole host of ways in which community pharmacies can add value to their offering and ensure customers are fully prepared for potential health hazards while they’re away.

Travel patient group directions (PGDs) enable pharmacies to provide their local community with a travel health service, including an extensive range of travel vaccinations such as yellow fever, malaria prophylaxis, and others. And while it’s only pharmacists who can administer these vaccinations, pharmacy teams have a vital role to play in promoting these additional services. 

Whether customers are stocking up their first aid kit, purchasing travel sickness tablets, replenishing their sun cream supplies or finding products to keep insects at bay, pharmacy staff can take these opportunities to start a wider conversation about travel health. This includes stressing the importance of protecting against disease and preventable illnesses that have the potential to ruin a holiday, as well as the fact that the pharmacy can offer an easy and convenient solution.

While these travel PGDs might not be suitable for all customers and travel destinations, it is important to let customers know about them – the information might come in handy for future trips or to pass on to family and friends. Above all, it continues to highlight pharmacy as the first port of call for all health needs at home and abroad.