People treat their pets like family.
Americans spent $66 billion on their pets in 2016, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA).
Your pharmacy meets the needs of your patients’ families. Why not do the same for their pets?
April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to think about making your pharmacy pet-friendly.
Catering to your patients’ furry friends can differentiate your pharmacy and boost your bottom line.
Follow these tips to make your independent community pharmacy a destination for pet-lovers in your community.
Dispense pet medications
Dispensing pet medications gives patients an alternative to relying on the veterinarian or shopping online.
For example, sometimes the vet won’t have the correct medication in stock, or the prices are marked up significantly.
And, it’s often hard to verify whether online pharmacies are trustworthy and the medications are safe.
Common pet medications your pharmacy can dispense include:
- Antibiotics
- NSAIDS
- Opioid pain relievers
- Steroids
- Anti-parasitic drugs
- Behavior modifying drugs and sedatives
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Chemotherapeutics
If you decide to dispense pet medications, make sure your pharmacists are knowledgeable about them.
And, like a normal prescription, when you dispense a pet medication, educate patients on its proper use and storage. Make patients aware of any possible side effects their pets could experience.
Offer compounding services
Many pet owners struggle with giving medications to their pets.
For example, maybe the pet doesn’t like the taste of the medication or refuses to eat a pill.
(Pet medication adherence can be a problem, too!)
Offer compounding services at your pharmacy to make administering medication easier for patients and their pets. You can modify a tablet into a more palatable liquid, for instance, or add flavoring the pet will enjoy.
Add pet products to your front end
Stock pet products and accessories in your front end.
Your community pharmacy is likely more convenient for patients than a trip to the pet store. And, you can offer options that typical pet stores don’t, such as high-end brands and specialty products.
Pet products your pharmacy can carry include:
- Treats
- Specialty foods (such as hypoallergenic)
- Leashes
- Grooming items
- Toys
- Vitamins and supplements
Create a pet-friendly environment
It’s important to let patients know your pharmacy welcomes pets, even if they’re not allowed inside.
For example, keep a dog bowl outside your pharmacy filled with water so dogs can have a drink.
Use pet-themed signage to attract patients with pets, and create front-end displays to showcase the variety of pet products you carry.
Additionally, keep educational brochures about pet safety and medications on your pharmacy counter.
Partner with a veterinarian
Your pharmacy may be able to provide products and services that veterinarians can’t.
Contact a local veterinarian and discuss how you can work together to keep pets healthy. Make him aware of the products and services you offer.
If you build a good rapport with the vet, he should be happy to send his furry patients your way.
Now you know how to capture some of the $66 billion pet owners spend on their pets—and keep your four-legged and two-legged patients happy.
Get more pharmacy business tips delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for our e-newsletter.
