As the leading provider of patient education in physician’s offices, I am not aware of what information pharmacists are providing to patients regarding H1N1. However, patient education about H1N1 is critical and our programming in physician’s offices has provided the following information:

• We alerted patients to the outbreak of the H1N1 virus
• Informed patients how the virus is spread
• Educated patients regarding the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus
• Reminded patients that the # 1defense is frequent and thorough hand washing
• Informed patients of the symptoms of H1N1
• Emphasized seeing their physician at the first sign of symptoms
• Reinforced that if caught early, antiviral intervention can help reduce the severity of symptoms/length of illness.

In addition, with back-to-school approaching we will be launching a new educational series on the H1N1 virus emphasizing the following:

• Prevention; again pointing out the No. 1 defense is frequent and thorough hand washing
• Educating those who are in the “high risk” category – children, teens, young adults (unlike previous flu outbreaks, the elderly population does not seem to be as susceptible to H1N1)
• Encouraging vaccination