Summertime and the living is easy—or at least it should be. However, with increasing concerns about the danger of insect-borne viruses, such as Zika and West Nile, your patients might be on edge this summer season.
Although your independent community pharmacy may already be promoting sun safety this summer, you can also put bug safety on your to-promote list. Not only are bug bites uncomfortable for your patients, some are potentially dangerous.
Help your patients avoid getting bitten this season—and promote your pharmacy— with these 10 tips.
1. Promote Lyme Disease awareness
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Promote this national health observance at your pharmacy with educational pamphlets on the disease. And, stock your pharmacy with tick-fighting products, such as insect repellent, bug spray and tweezers for patients to pluck off the bug in case they get bitten.
2. Create a bug spray end cap
This summer, consider creating a bug spray end cap in your pharmacy’s front end.
“Inventory enough insect repellent to last you at least three months,” Gabe Trahan, senior director of store operations and marketing at the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), said in the May 14 edition of Profit Makers, an email with front-end tips for pharmacies. “The bigger the display, the greater the sales. If you have the space and inventory, create an end cap in a prominent location.”
3. Share tips on social media
Promoting bug bite prevention shouldn’t stop at your physical location. Use your social media pages, such as Facebook and Twitter, to share bug bite prevention tips, educational information or recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how to avoid bug bites.
4. Stock up on anti-itch relief products
If your patients get bitten, be sure that your pharmacy offers over-the-counter products for relief. Ease your patients’ discomfort by supplying anti-itch products, such as aloe vera and hydrocortisone cream in your front end.
5. Protect your patients’ pets, too
Humans aren’t the only ones at risk for bug bites this summer. Welcome pets to your pharmacy by stocking flea and tick repellant for dogs and cats on your pharmacy’s shelves.
6. Offer vaccinations
Since 2009, all 50 states have allowed pharmacists to administer vaccines and immunizations in some form. Take advantage of this growing trend in your pharmacy by offering travel vaccinations and pre-travel consultations to give patients tips on preventing mosquito and other insect bites.
NCPA offers some handy tips on travel health, including pharmacist and patient resources, information on certifications and administration requirements for pharmacies.
7. Provide natural remedies
Offer a variety of insect repellent products in your front end, including natural products, Herbal or natural remedies, such as sprays, towelettes and travel size sprays from natural brands, can supplement a bug spray end cap in a unique way.
8. Educate your patients
Post signage in your pharmacy alerting your patients about the dangers of bug bites, as well as tips for prevention and treatment. Checkout the CDC’s collection of infographics your pharmacy can download, print and post to educate patients.
9. Supply unique bug prevention inventory
Sunscreen, bug spray and aloe vera are all common summer must-haves for your front end.
Consider adding in uncommon—or companion—bug relief inventory, such as citronella candles, insect repellents with 100 percent DEET, insect repellent lotion and insect repellents formulated for babies and kids.
10. Sponsor a bug safety booth
A great way to market your pharmacy and help patients avoid bug bites this summer is sponsoring a bug safety booth at an outdoor event. Hand out free bug repellant at a local 5k, farmer’s market or other outdoor event to raise awareness and get your pharmacy in the public eye.
Discover the top summer health hazards (plus front-end products to recommend).
