Pharmacy work is an ongoing journey. Whether we’re talking about your fill queue, vaccine quotas, or your patient’s health journey, the work of an independent pharmacist is never done.
Let’s turn the tables. Let’s look internally, specifically towards your pharmacy’s future. The pharmacy industry is always changing, meaning your pharmacy’s long-term success isn’t set in stone.
Just like your patient’s health journey, your pharmacy’s future is a continuous process. A finish line is just another starting line in disguise.
Here’s how you can better invest in your pharmacy’s future.
Coming from a pharmacy software company, this might seem on the nose. But the point still stands: embracing technology is a tried and true way to invest in your pharmacy’s future.
From your end, embracing technology improves your pharmacy’s workflow. Processes that once required several steps can now be done in a fraction of the time — without sacrificing any of the quality.
Efficiency is the name of the game when it comes to pharmacy work. Letting your pharmacy software — namely PioneerRx — do some of the heavy lifting gives you time to focus on more urgent pharmacy tasks.
Check out our blog, 3 PioneerRx Features You Should Be Using, to learn about some PioneerRx features that can further enhance your workflow.
On the patient side of things, embracing technology makes the patient experience more convenient. Convenience is a key determinant in whether or not a customer returns to your pharmacy. The more convenient it is, the more likely they’ll come back.
Better technology means shorter wait times, which opens a wider door for convenience. Embrace technology and your loyal patient base will grow over time, solidifying your pharmacy’s long-term success.
The worst-kept secret in the pharmacy world is this: being a pharmacy owner also means being a business owner. And businesses need to make money to stay afloat.
Prescriptions and vaccines can only get you so far when it comes to profit. Sometimes the best way to generate profit in your pharmacy is to beyond the counter. In this case, we’re talking about good ol’ pharmacy marketing.
An effective marketing strategy opens a door to profit. What’s more, effective marketing raises your community’s awareness of your pharmacy.
Effective marketing strategies take several forms. In terms of your pharmacy’s future and long-term success, set your sails to the online sphere.
If you haven’t already, make social media pages for your pharmacy. The big ones are Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram.
Though you can get by without TikTok, social media content is becoming increasingly video-focused. In the future, look into video-focused content so your social media presence does not become a relic of the past.
When it comes to content, cater your posts to your community. Independent pharmacies are a one-of-a-kind establishment, so use that to your advantage.
Whether it’s pulling patient testimonials or highlighting unique city landmarks, make your social media pages uniquely yours.
Highlight what your pharmacy is doing with great visuals and easy-to-read captions/copy. If you haven’t already, utilize RxLocal’s Social Media Assistant to give you an easy but effective social media plan for your pharmacy.
Lastly, make sure your social media posts are tailor-made to the respective platform — X is mainly text-based, Instagram is photo/video-focused, and TikTok is clip-centric.
Visit our blog, The 5 Facebook Best Practices for Your Pharmacy, for examples on how to personalize your social media posts.
We all have to start somewhere. Most pharmacists begin their journey to the white coat long before they enroll in pharmacy school. They start as pharmacy clerks or pharmacy technician trainees, sometimes as a way to get through school or college.
Then they get the pharmacy bug, realizing that this is what they’re meant to do. Thus begins their journey to becoming an independent pharmacist.
Sounds familiar? It may be because you were once that pharmacy clerk or technician trainee, so you already know the value of developing your pharmacy staff.
They say the people make the job, and your independent pharmacy should be no exception. They play a vital role in your pharmacy’s success, both in the moment and in the long run. Some patients are willing to pay a little extra or drive a little farther to stay with your independent pharmacy — and it all begins with your staff.
Make your pharmacy a place where your staff can grow and develop their skills, whether in the clinical or customer service realms. Offer competitive pay, and chances to progress (clerks almost always become technicians, so give them a roadmap to that destination).
Just like with your patients, give your staff a reason to stay. Help them earn a living while growing as workers, healthcare professionals, and — most importantly — people.
You can’t prepare for the future by looking back. As mentioned earlier, a successful pharmacy thrives on innovation and forward-thinking. The best way to innovate and look ahead is to use the resources you have at this moment.
See what aspects of your pharmacy is strong in and understand where your pharmacy is falling short. Just doing this will give you the blueprint to your pharmacy’s long-term success.
But knowing is half the battle. But theory into practice by enhancing your workflow through PioneerRx. Refine your pharmacy’s social media presence by studying online trends and applying them to your pages.
Reach out to fellow pharmacists and healthcare professionals on their healthcare journey. Communication and collaboration are tried and tested ways to come up with that next great idea. What’s more, it will further your pharmacy’s place in the community.
There is no clear roadmap to a pharmacy’s long-term success. The most important objective is to care for your patients. But as to how to continue caring for them changes shape all the time.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it — just tighten up the screws. This isn’t reinventing the wheel, but making sure the journey ahead is a smooth one. Ensure your pharmacy’s long-term success by seeing what’s ahead and knowing what you have at your disposal. The rest will fall into place.
