It’s that time of the year again: cold and flu season.
Every fall and winter, sniffling patients start frequenting your pharmacy. The changing seasons give way to cold, flu and allergy-like symptoms. And, seasonal ailments aren’t going away anytime soon.
Ensure patients can find cures and comfort from your pharmacy this cold and flu season. Here are five tips to get prepared.
1. Effectively merchandise your front end
During cold and flu season, merchandise your front end with the products patients need. Bring cold and flu products front and center by displaying an end cap with cough, cold and flu remedies.
Gabe Trahan, senior director of store operations and marketing at the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), advises stocking a “products for prevention” end cap and a “products for relief” end cap. Prevention items range from hand sanitizing solutions to disinfecting wipes and vitamin C. Offer patients relief in the form of daytime and nighttime over-the-counter (OTC) medications or throat lozenges.
Also, don’t forget that cold and flu season is a popular time for front-end sales, so be sure that your inventory is well-stocked. “Do your customers and yourself a favor and order no less than a dozen of each of the items that you will be recommending. Do not let the inventory of each these products fall below six items. Remember, running out of a popular item is the same as asking your customers to go elsewhere,” Trahan said in the Sept. 24 edition of Profit Makers, an email with front-end tips for pharmacies.
2. Promote your pharmacy with signs
Although your pharmacy may be stocked and ready for the coming cold and flu season, do your patients know about all that you have to offer?
Signage is crucial to build awareness about the products and services you offer for patients suffering from colds or the flu. Update your outdoor signage with banners that promote your pharmacy’s flu shot program. Or, create window clings that promote your front-end products.
Don’t forget to add signage inside your pharmacy, too. For example, set up a small counter sign that reminds patients you stock all the cold and flu essentials they need.
3. Step up your sales force
Throughout the cold and flu season, patients will likely approach your pharmacists for health advice. Patients might ask questions like, “What medicine works best for my runny nose and headache?” or “How old does my child need to be to receive a flu shot?”
This is the best time of year to become a sales pro. For patients overwhelmed by the multitude of OTC medications available, give recommendations. Or, if patients are unsure of whether or not to receive a flu shot, be prepared to dispel popular flu shot myths.
When the suggestions and expert advice you give patients works in their favor, and they start to feel better, they’ll be more likely to return to your pharmacy.
4. Incentivize prevention
Patients who aren’t already sick may not think about the benefits of purchasing preventative products. Incentivize patients to shop your front end for these items by reminding them of seasonal ailments going around.
Create promotions on items such as vitamin C, facial tissue and nasal spray. Or, offer a discount on flu shots to patients who are members of your pharmacy’s patient loyalty program.
5. Educate about colds and the flu
Your pharmacy is full of skilled, educated employees, so be sure to use their knowledge and expertise this cold and flu season.
Education is key to ensuring patients adhere to their yearly flu shot, or, choose the correct medicine for their symptoms. Besides giving tips in person, you could also post educational articles and tips to stay healthy throughout the winter months on your pharmacy’s social media sites to make sure your patients stay informed.
Help keep your patients healthy this cold and flu season by celebrating National Influenza Vaccination Week at your pharmacy.
