We don’t have to tell you that there’s more to an independent community pharmacy than just dispensing medication.
Independent pharmacies are passionate about helping the people in their communities. They offer services patients may not be able to get anywhere else nearby. They’re the heart of health care in their town.
And, while filling medication is a part of keeping your patients healthy, it’s also important to offer other services that contribute to patients’ well being and make your pharmacy more profitable.
While you probably already offer patient care services at your pharmacy, here are a few in particular we’ve identified as especially important right now. They’re the ones that will put your pharmacy on the map as the go-to health destination in your community.
Immunizations and vaccines
Most patients decide where to get flu shots and other vaccines based on convenience. And, what’s more convenient than their local pharmacy?
Allow patients to bypass the congested doctor’s office and receive immunizations at your pharmacy.
Offer flu shots along with vaccines like Zostavax® for shingles, pneumococcal vaccines and Gardasil® for the human papillomavirus (HPV). In addition, consider providing on-site flu shot clinics to local businesses to help their employees fight the flu.
Health and wellness plans
As an independent community pharmacist, you strive to help patients live happier, healthier lives.
Offering nutrition support and fitness education are great ways to encourage your patients to adopt healthier lifestyles.
As part of a health and wellness program, help patients design meal plans and set exercise goals each week or month. Be the resource your community needs by teaching individuals how to make positive mind and body changes.
Blood pressure and cholesterol screenings
Conducting blood pressure and cholesterol screenings at your pharmacy gives patients the opportunity to discuss their results with a pharmacist face-to-face. This is beneficial for patients whose results are cause for concern, so they can get help fixing the problem right away.
Offering these screenings is also helpful to encourage patients to stay on track with their health, especially when they’re reluctant to schedule regular visits to the doctor’s office.
Compounding
Many patients have trouble taking medications. Some have difficulty swallowing pills, some don’t like the taste and others need a different dosage size than what’s available.
By offering compounding services, your pharmacy can solve these problems. Customize medications to meet your patients’ needs by flavoring medications, providing different dosage sizes and offering liquids in place of pills.
Diabetes education
When patients or their loved ones are diagnosed with diabetes, it can be difficult for them to adapt to a new lifestyle.
Be a resource for these patients by providing a diabetes education and care program.
Offer sessions led by pharmacists that focus on disease and medication information, risk reduction, healthy eating habits, active lifestyles and coping mechanisms. You can also assist patients in reviewing blood glucose testing and insulin injection during these sessions.
Home medical equipment
Many patients require home medical equipment, such as lift chairs, folding canes, grab bars and other specialty products to help manage their conditions.
As a way to offer home medical products to patients in need, partner with a company that sells or rents home medical equipment. Or, sell these products in your store.
Remind patients that you have access to these medical supplies, and assist them in choosing the product that best meets their needs.
Specialty care services
Patients living with chronic conditions may need extra help in order to manage their specialty medications and therapies.
Assist patients in managing chronic conditions such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and others by offering specialty care services.
Provide patients with medication-specific education and training, monitor their medication adherence and allow for convenient pickup and coordination of their specialty and non-specialty medication refills.
Patients will appreciate how your pharmacy goes above and beyond for their health and well being.
Check out the key factors involved in building a patient care process.
