Your patients know the deadly risks of high cholesterol, but many don’t know what to do about it.
A new survey by the American Heart Association has revealed that people who have high cholesterol may understand they need to manage their condition but lack the knowledge and confidence to do it.
“These survey results show an alarming lack of communication between healthcare providers and those most at risk for cardiovascular disease,” Mary Ann Bauman, M.D., a member of the American Heart Association’s cholesterol advisory group, said in an April 10 news release.
High cholesterol contributes to heart disease and stroke, which cause 2.6 million deaths every year.
As your patients’ trusted health care partner, your independent community pharmacy is in a perfect position to help patients understand and manage their risks.
And you can boost your bottom line along the way.
Here are six ways your pharmacy can help patients understand and conquer their high cholesterol.
1. Promote health and fitness
A healthy diet and regular exercise are important factors to reduce cholesterol.
How your pharmacy can promote healthier lifestyles:
- Host a health and fitness education class. For some patients, the word “class” is enough to make them cringe. Give your patients incentives to attend the classes using prizes, discounts or gift card raffles for attendees.
- Recommend a fitness app. Recommend a mobile fitness app to interested patients. Choose an app to help them keep a food diary and record their exercise.
- Make the most of consultations. During consultations, emphasize the importance of exercise to lower cholesterol levels. One piece of encouragement from you can go a long way.
2. Offer a medication adherence program
Some of your patients are taking steps to combat their cholesterol. They’ve talked to you and their doctor about it, and they’ve started a medication regimen.
But they may falter. They forget to take their pills. Then, they forget again. Some need a reminder. Others need some organization.
Keep your patients on track with their medication regimen for high cholesterol. Offer a medication adherence program to keep them compliant.
3. Help patients with a comprehensive plan
Patients choose your pharmacy because of the personal service they receive. Unlike the national chain pharmacies, you offer a personal connection and expertise that adds value to their experience.
Go a step further and consult patients on a practical plan to conquer their cholesterol. Work with them to establish a healthy diet, exercise schedule, medication adherence and supplement regimen.
It will mean better business for you and better health for your patients.
4. Provide blood pressure services
High blood pressure and cholesterol go hand-in-hand. High blood pressure can alert someone to high cholesterol and can increase a person’s chance of developing high cholesterol. Here’s how to help.
Screenings and counseling
Help your patients know their cholesterol status. Offer blood pressure screenings in your pharmacy. Patients will appreciate the convenience of getting screened at their local pharmacy.
Also, blood pressure screenings present an opportunity for pharmacists to establish relationships with patients.
Blood pressure kiosk
Invest in a kiosk where patients can test their blood pressure while they wait for their prescriptions. Besides providing quick and easy testing, the kiosk will make their wait seem shorter.
Teach patients how to monitor blood pressure at home
Help patients choose a blood pressure monitor they can use at home.
Make sure patients know how to record the readings, so pharmacists and physicians can determine how well their treatment is working. Explain what the readings mean, so patients can consult their physician when they have cause for concern.
5. Offer a smoking cessation program
Smoking can be detrimental to patients with high cholesterol.
A smoking cessation program helps patients reduce or quit smoking, which can decrease their chances of heart attack or stroke.
Already offer a program? Market it to all your patients who take prescriptions for high cholesterol. Make sure to explain how smoking further harms their heart’s health.
6. Sell related products in your front end
Patients see your front end the moment they walk into your pharmacy. And it’s the last area they see when they leave.
Use an end cap to put your cholesterol-related products front and center. Gather all of your products related to cholesterol, such as at-home cholesterol and blood pressure tests and vitamins and supplements, like omega-3, soluble fiber and niacin, and place them together in a display.
These over-the-counter (OTC) products can offer additional revenue for your pharmacy and strengthen your patients’ fight against high cholesterol.
It’s a win-win.
With your pharmacy’s help, now your patients will feel confident managing their high cholesterol.
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