Your independent community pharmacy has so much to offer to improve the health of women in your community.
Health care needs change from young women to new mothers to older women, and your pharmacy can create relationships that span each stage of your patients’ health needs.
Help women feel welcome in your pharmacy with additional clinical services, front-end products tailored to them and your usual hometown friendliness. Here are some ideas.
1. Support new mothers
Consider offering medication consulting for expecting mothers who tend to have lots of questions about how their medication could affect their baby.
Also, let them know how to properly use over-the-counter (OTC) medication while pregnant and breastfeeding. You can even consider offering guides or literature for expecting mothers to take with them for their reference and peace-of-mind.
Add pre-natal vitamins and nutritional supplements for pregnant women to your vitamin section. Also, stock products that can make pregnancy more comfortable such as cocoa butter, maternity wear or belly support belts.
Consider getting a staff member certified as a lactation consultant. Supplement this service by stocking nursing pumps, nursing bras and nursing accessories to help mothers have successful breastfeeding experiences.
And, stock items such as diapers, baby powder or baby lotion, too, in case a new mother is at your pharmacy for counseling services, and needs to pick up some of these essentials.
2. Provide a variety of skin care options
Appeal to different women by stocking products for all skin types in your front end.
For example, a young woman struggling with blemishes may be searching for an OTC face cleanser that can treat acne and an oil-free moisturizer to keep her skin clear, while her mother may be looking for an age-defying face and eye cream.
Consider adding popular natural skin care products to your offerings, too, such as coconut oil, or luxury bath and body products that patients will want to add to their shopping baskets.
3. Be a source of comfort for patients with breast cancer
Offering services and products to relieve some of the challenges that come with treating breast cancer and living with its effects can mean a lot to your patients.
Consider offering custom bra fittings and prosthesis or breast forms for women who have had mastectomies. And offer stylish head covers for women undergoing chemotherapy.
Also include a pink ribbon gift section with items that build awareness and support those fighting breast cancer. Be sure to donate the proceeds to breast cancer research.
4. Make decisions for the family easier
A 2014 Kaiser Family Foundation report found that nearly three-quarters of mothers make health care decisions for their family. Increase business in your pharmacy by creating a stress-free environment for mothers to choose products and services for their children.
Flavoring services are one of the best ways to make the medication-taking experience easier for mom. Consider adding flavoring to your pharmacy’s services, and if you already offer it, make sure that mothers know about it.
Be a resource for mothers by creating a guide to assist them in OTC purchases when their kids are feeling under the weather. This will not only help them select medications, but it will also ensure they understand which OTCs can be used in combination, and at what intervals, to ensure their little ones are safe.
Mothers in your community are also likely to choose your pharmacy if you stock products their kids are asking for, such as bandages, toothbrushes and toothpaste with licensed characters.
Also, offering a free kids’ vitamin program will entice mothers to purchase the front-end products they need while they’re picking up their kids’ vitamins each month.
5. Provide menopause management resources
Consider providing educational material for your patients going through menopause. This is a discrete way to answer their questions. They’ll appreciate your foresight and sensitivity.
Also, offer front-end products, such as wicking sleepwear to make hot flashes more comfortable, and creams and compression stockings for varicose veins.
Don’t overlook your vitamin and supplement section. Consider offering herbal supplements to alleviate some menopause symptoms, and counsel patients on how to use those supplements in conjunction with prescription medications or hormone therapy.
Promote women’s health in your community while increasing sales.
