Spring allergy season has begun, which means you’re probably starting to see an increase in patients visiting your independent community pharmacy looking to relieve their symptoms.
As an independent community pharmacy, you can provide more value than national chain and big box pharmacies by stocking different products and educating patients on which medications are right for them.
Assisting patients with their allergy needs can also increase your pharmacy’s front-end sales.
Don’t let your patients—or your pharmacy—suffer this allergy season. Here are a few ways to make allergy season profitable—and help your patients find relief.
Educate patients this allergy season
Helping patients better understand their allergies and recommending the right over-the-counter (OTC) products can benefit your patients and your pharmacy.
Most patients don’t understand what triggers their allergies, and are therefore unprepared for peak seasons.
By helping patients identify what they’re allergic to, you can help them choose the right medications to treat their symptoms and offer advice on how to lessen the effects.
For example, maybe a patient experiences sneezing and itchy, watery eyes that get worse when he’s outdoors, suggesting he’s allergic to pollen. But, his job requires him to be outside the majority of the day.
Knowing this, you can recommend a non-drowsy antihistamine that will alleviate his symptoms and last all day.
Stock different allergy-relief products
It’s important to offer a variety of allergy-relief options in your front end for patients to choose from.
Some patients may need antihistamines, while others need decongestants. Some may be looking for eye drops, while others opt for oral medications or nasal sprays.
You can also stock homeopathic items, such as neti pots and saline solutions, to supplement these medications and further alleviate patients’ allergy symptoms.
Be sure a pharmacist is available to help patients compare the features of the different allergy medications and homeopathic items you offer.
Run specials and promotions on allergy-relief products
Running promotions on allergy-relief products during peak seasons can increase your pharmacy’s front-end sales and provide added relief for your patients.
For example, run a special on antihistamines during the first week of spring. Or, offer a discount when patients purchase more than one allergy product at a time.
Patients will appreciate receiving a good deal on the allergy products they truly need, and they’ll be more likely to recommend your pharmacy to friends and family for their allergy needs.
And, don’t forget to increase your marketing efforts during allergy season to stay top-of-mind with patients. Create allergy-themed end caps, hang additional signage in your front end and post allergy tips on social media.
Check out these tips to highlight your front end this spring.
