As the weather gets warmer, your patients will likely be spending more time outside doing summer activities. Hosting barbeques. Lying in the sun. Swimming.
And, as you know, this summer entertainment also comes with the risk for potential health problems.
We’ve put together a list of over-the-counter (OTC) products you can recommend when patients come in complaining about these common summer ailments.
Health hazard: Sunburns
Spending any amount of time outside during a sunny summer day puts patients at risk for sunburn. Peeling, burning, blistering and red inflamed skin is painful, and overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can also increase the risk for skin cancer.
Front-end recommendation: Sunscreen and lip balm
Before the summer sun starts to hit the hardest, promote skin cancer detection and prevention in your pharmacy.
When patients come in to pick up their prescriptions or make other front-end purchases, recommend they use sunscreen to reduce their risk of sunburn. Or, have a sale on sunscreen to increase interest. You can also create a display of lip balms with sun protection to remind patients to protect their lips, too.
For patients who enter your store post-sunburn, recommend products that can ease their pain and help their skin heal, such as aloe vera or other moisturizing products to nourish burned skin.
Health hazard: Bug bites
Outdoor explorations can often lead to painful bug bites, including those from mosquitoes, ticks, bees, wasps and even ants.
Front-end recommendation: Bug spray and itch-relief products
Throughout the summer, recommend bug spray as a preventative tool of action.
If your pharmacy is located in an area where people do a lot of outdoor activities, consider stocking up on multiple levels of bug spray, from more standard types to those with 100 percent DEET.
For those patients who are already bitten, recommend a simple pain reliever for discomfort, or an antihistamine for those with more severe cases. It’s also a good idea to carry a good assortment of creams, sprays and roll-on itch-relief products.
Health hazard: Dehydration
More time spent outdoors coupled with not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration.
Front-end recommendation: Bottled water and reusable water bottles
While your pharmacy isn’t a convenience store, stocking bottled water for patients to grab isn’t a bad idea.
You could also carry a selection of reusable water bottles, and even brand some with your pharmacy’s name and logo. Offer these as a part of a promotion where you give away a free reusable water bottle with another purchase for a limited time. Reusable water bottles are a good way to remind patients to drink more water.
Health hazard: Allergic reactions to poisonous plants
Hiking, biking or any activity in the wilderness puts your patients at risk for rashes and skin irritation due to exposure to poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. They’ll likely come into your pharmacy looking for relief from their itching.
Front-end recommendation: Antihistamines and anti-itching products
For patients experiencing pain and discomfort due to common summer skin irritants, help offer them relief by recommending an antihistamine and anti-itching ointment. Be sure to carry different types of poison ivy treatments, including creams, lotions washes and sprays, so patients can choose the application they prefer.
Health hazard: Heat rash
Long durations of time spent outside can put your patients at risk for heat rash. Remind patients with sensitive skin that even wearing too tight of clothing can cause them to develop a heat rash.
Front-end recommendation: Cooling products
For patients prone to heat rash, recommend cooling products such as menthol or aloe vera, to reduce the rash’s pain and inflammation.
Health hazard: Yeast infections
For female patients, one of the most common summer activities—swimming—can be a potential health risk. Damp environments, combined with tight clothing, like a swimsuit, can cause uncomfortable yeast infections to develop.
Front-end recommendation: Anti-fungal products
For female patients experiencing discomfort due to a yeast infection, stock OTC anti-fungal treatments.
Learn tips to make the most of your pharmacy’s front-end sales this May.
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