October is American Pharmacists Month. This month is the perfect time to remind your community of your pharmacy’s value and to display your pride for the profession. Put on by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the event is celebrating its 10th birthday this year.
With your busy workload, brainstorming fun ways to celebrate can feel burdensome, not stimulating. So we’ve stocked a list of ready-made events for your independent community pharmacy.
1. Participate in a local 5K
Find a walk or run that supports a specialty your pharmacy focuses on (diabetes, HIV, obesity, etc.) or a health-related cause. Put together a pharmacy team and ask your staff and community members to take part. If you don’t want to join the race, ask the coordinators if you could set up a pharmacy booth to educate participants.
2. Engage the media
The best way to increase buzz about your celebration is to gain media coverage. Encourage your local news outlets to come visit your pharmacy to do a story on American Pharmacists Month.
3. Take to the streets
Every town has a hub, whether that be the civic center, shopping mall or local coffee shop. Request to set up a display at this nucleus of your community to raise awareness about American Pharmacists Month.
4. Decorate
The APhA creates more promotional items than you could ever hope to use. From window banners to Facebook cover photos to t-shirts and beyond, there’s no shortage of opportunities to display your pride and attract attention.
5. Partner up
Pool your brain and financial power with another pharmacy, pharmacy organization or nearby school of pharmacy to spread your American Pharmacists Month message.
6. Organize a charity
Draw attention to your pharmacy by holding a drive or raising money for a cause that coincides with one of your specialties. This can bring awareness to your month-long celebration, pharmacy services and generous business practices all at the same time.
7. Promote on social media
Increase your pharmacy’s presence on Facebook and Twitter during American Pharmacists Month. Share a pharmacy fact of the day, remind the public about upcoming events, or educate with health tips to join the conversation.
8. Hold a sidewalk sale
Team up with your surrounding businesses to hold a day of sidewalk sales. While other retailers sell discounted merchandise, you can give health screenings or enter passerby in a giveaway.
9. Get spooky
Blend Halloween festivities at the end of October with American Pharmacists Month. As a memorable last push, coordinate a Halloween-themed event. You could organize a “trick-or-treat” and set up pharmacy services around the store, like brown bag medication reviews, blood pressure monitoring and information stands.
You could also run a promotion, in conjunction with American Pharmacists Month, where anyone who wears a costume to shop gets a discount, with an extra markdown for those who dress like a pharmacist. Or, create a themed fact sheet or brochure titled “Getting To Know Your Pharmacist Doesn’t Have To Be Scary” and hand it out at the end of the month.
10. Receive official recognition
Attaining official recognition for American Pharmacists Month from your local or state government is possible, and doing so brings widespread awareness to your celebration. If you’re interested in learning more, visit APhA’s information page.
Related articles:
How to Raise Awareness for American Pharmacists Month
10 Ways to Promote American Pharmacists Month
How to Promote American Pharmacists Month at Your Pharmacy
