Holidays, celebrations and events are great opportunities to promote health—and your pharmacy.
They bring in new patients, expand awareness about your pharmacy in the community and connect your pharmacy to national trends and health causes.
Get started now. Here are five holidays you can celebrate in your pharmacy during the month of October.
1. American Pharmacists Month—October
Raise awareness about your profession—and your pharmacy business—by celebrating American Pharmacists Month.
Contact a local T.V. news station and offer to come and talk about what pharmacists do to help keep the community healthy. Or, write a letter to an area newspaper talking up the benefits of having a close relationship with a pharmacist.
Create a list of fun facts about pharmacists, a “Get to Know Your Pharmacist” poster, a handout with information promoting the services your pharmacy provides, or other signage and promotional materials to distribute to patients at your pharmacy during the month.
2. Global Hand Washing Day—Oct. 15
On Global Hand Washing Day, promote good hand washing technique and related products that help patients stay healthy.
Consider offering a discount of 5 or 10 percent off your entire stock of hand soaps and hand sanitizers.
You could also create instructions explaining proper hand washing technique. Share the instructions with your patients via social media, on your website or on posters that your patients can display at their work or homes.
3. National Physical Therapy Month—October
October is also an opportunity to celebrate physical therapists. Partner with local physical therapists to cross promote one another’s health care services.
Ask them to provide your pharmacy with information or pamphlets about their services that you can share with your patients in celebration of National Physical Therapy Month, and ask them to share information about your pharmacy with their patients.
Also, use this celebration as a networking opportunity. Send physical therapists in your area a short note or card letting them know your pharmacy appreciates everything they do for the community. They’ll appreciate the thought, and you’ll build your pharmacy’s network of local health care allies.
4. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month—October
According to the American Cancer Society®, breast cancer is now the second most common newly diagnosed cancer, and it’s the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the U.S.
Celebrate survivors and honor those who are currently fighting breast cancer, or those with friends or family who have been affected by breast cancer, by recognizing in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in your pharmacy.
During this month, sell pink items to raise money for breast cancer research, or collect donations at your pharmacy’s cash register. Consider partnering with local physicians or clinics to promote breast cancer screenings and raise awareness about self-exams.
Or, you and your staff could participate in a breast cancer awareness 5K run or walk to show your support.
5. International Infection Prevention Week—Oct. 18-24
Celebrate International Infection Prevention Week by focusing on pharmacy services and products designed to help keep patients healthy, particularly those related to flu prevention at the start of flu season.
Spend the week promoting your flu vaccinations services, hosting flu clinics and posting facts about the flu on social media to encourage patients to get their flu shot.
Be sure to update the signage in your pharmacy to promote your flu vaccinations and to raise awareness about the dangers of not getting vaccinated during International Infection Prevention Week.
Looking to for more reasons to celebrate holidays at your pharmacy? Get more inspiration with these pharmacy events.
