Providing family care services in your pharmacy can start before children are even born.
Expecting mothers often turn to their pharmacist for medication questions and advice during their pregnancy. And, efforts to make mothers-to-be more comfortable, confident and healthy during pregnancy can create longtime, loyal patients for your pharmacy.
Here are some ways to make expecting mothers feel welcome in your pharmacy.
1. Offer medication consulting for them
Independent community pharmacists are often the health care professionals who receive the most questions about medication during pregnancy, especially because they are the most accessible.
Make your pharmacy the go-to location for helping expecting and breastfeeding mothers manage their medications.
Expecting mothers often stop taking their medications before consulting their physician out of fear that their medications will harm their baby. Work with these patients and their physicians to make the best choices for them and their pregnancy, while keeping expectant mothers informed. They’ll appreciate the extra service.
2. Stock specialty products
You can be a valuable resource for new and expecting mothers who don’t take prescription medication, too.
Provide information about the best over-the-counter products to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and make dietary supplement and nutritional information available, too.
Carry pre-natal vitamins, and consider stocking Omega-3 fatty acid, calcium, Vitamin D and other supplements that aid healthy fetal development. You could even dedicate a small section of your front end to new and expecting mothers.
Also, stock items that will save moms an extra trip when they’re picking up their family’s prescriptions. Items like diapers, formula, baby powder and lotions are always needed. Also, look into items to help women have a more comfortable pregnancy, such as cocoa butter and massage oil to prevent stretch marks, and belly support belts.
If your pharmacy already prides itself on creating a welcoming atmosphere for kids, stocking products for newborns and mothers-to-be will make your location even more convenient for busy families.
3. Be an educational resource
Make your pharmacy an informational hub for expecting mothers.
Always have literature available on pregnancy, early motherhood, breastfeeding and nutrition. Be ready to provide helpful tips, such as explaining to expecting mothers the importance of getting a flu shot.
Also, consider offering helpful resources for moms, such as partnering with a lactation consultant, or become a consultant yourself. Find out if there are any prenatal classes or early childhood daycare services in your community, and consider partnering with those businesses. You can refer your patients to their services, while making connections with new patients and their families.
By caring for expecting mothers with exceptional service and advice, you’ll establish loyal patients who will turn to you with their growing families’ future needs.
