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The most relevant and current collection of blogs dedicated to helping the independent pharmacy owner.

Thriving in the NEW Business of Nutrition

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Here at PDS, we take pride in highlighting some of our incredible exhibitors. We know these companies have the potential to revolutionize pharmacies just like yours through their products and services. We’re excited to introduce Wellness Works. Read on for their sponsored blog post about the business of nutritional sales and selling vitamins.

For decades, independent pharmacists have held an advantage when it comes to selling vitamins and nutritional supplements. First, as part of their undergraduate studies, pharmacists are the best educated healthcare professional to address the basic biochemical concepts of vitamins and supplements. Second, pharmacists have held a position of trust with consumers for decades. While 65% of Americans do search online for basic health information, the knowledge of and trust in the pharmacist is used to validate the health information found online. Lastly, as healthcare professionals, pharmacists are in daily contact with consumers exhibiting various metabolic diseases. These are diseases that have been acquired over time for which pharmaceutical offerings may not be the only options.

Vitamins are More Than a Line of Bottles on a Pharmacy Shelf

Today, vitamin sales account for $100 billion in revenue worldwide, and the U.S. accounts for 36% of that figure. What trends have driven that number?

  • First, there is an increased interest in better health through all demographics. Naturally, Baby Boomers would be expected to hold the greatest percentage of supplement sales, and they do at 36%. What may be surprising is that Generation X comprises 23% and Millennials 16%. All of this combines for a figure of 70-75% of Americans taking at least one supplement every day.
  • There is the increase in preventative healthcare. Celebrity health experts are widespread on social media, online and through multiple communication channels. And supplements have been recognized as being essential to the preventative health process.
  • Self-directed consumers no longer rely on physicians to advise them on their healthcare. Today, consumers search online for answers to their healthcare questions. This consumer self-direction is what is attributed for the increase in supplement sales across all demographics – Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials.
  • Finally, brand recognition and brand support are becoming major influencers as consumers search for providers they can trust for their supplement inquiries and sales.

What do Pharmacists Need to do to be Successful in this NEW Business of Nutritional Sales?

  1. Offer a private label as an alternative to the national labels found everywhere. The exclusivity of a proprietary product line, based on quality and product knowledge, provides a valuable differentiator in this competitive area. Coupled with the trust consumers hold for pharmacists, a private label line generates return sales for pharmacist-recommended products.
  2. Ensure that you can be found online. Today, being found online is evidence that you exist. Pharmacists should be prepared to offer their private lines not only in their pharmacies, but through online e-commerce as well. In 2017, sales of nutritional supplements in brick and mortar locations increased 3%. However, sales of nutritional supplements in brick and mortar locations that also offered online sales of the same supplements increased by 20%. The trusted pharmacist who can offer professional quality supplements both in their pharmacy and online can parlay that situation into a position that even Amazon cannot overcome.
  3. Pharmacists need to utilize multi-channel marketing opportunities and support. By using a professional marketing program that provides consistent brand presence through social media, emails, website videos and other communication channels, the pharmacist creates an image of expertise and trust which carries through multiple demographics.

You don’t sell vitamins by just selling vitamins! By combining the pharmacist’s innate advantages with the strategic application of available technology and marketing, pharmacies can realize healthy nutritional revenue streams. Even in this competitive marketplace.

About the Author

Wellness Works helps independent pharmacists develop a profitable supplement revenue stream by creating a branded supplement line for sale in the pharmacy and even online. Wellness Works provides the professional products, marketing expertise, and business and clinical consulting to help pharmacists be successful with supplements.
Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment: Help Your Patients and Protect Your Profits

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Every year, Medicare’s Open Enrollment period is October 15 – December 7. The process of enrolling or updating plans can be frustrating for aging patients, resulting in many staying with a plan, even if it isn’t the best option for their healthcare needs. Helping patients navigate this process is an excellent opportunity for independent pharmacies to act as a healthcare resource for their community. Providing high-touch, personalized service improves retention and increases the probability of the patient enrolling in a mutually beneficial plan, one that saves them money and doesn’t hurt your pharmacy’s bottom line.  

Differentiate by Delivering Exceptional Care 

Open Enrollment

The truth in our industry is that business growth can only come from great patient care. Launching a program around Open Enrollment doesn’t have to be intimidating. Start by identifying two important groups of patients in your dispensing data, those who are eligible for the first time to enroll in Medicare and patients who may benefit from an Open Enrollment consultation to select a plan.  

Once you’ve identified who would benefit from your expertise, start getting the word out, in your store and in your community.  

  • Marketing Your Services: Create in-store signs, bag stuffers, and encourage your team to highlight that your pharmacy is offering plan reviews.  
  • Encourage Referrals: Give cards with contact information to younger patients to share with their parents or older family members.  
  • Community Outreach: In-person events may not be in the cards for 2021 Open Enrollment, but you can still connect through Zoom or other video chat portals. Reach out to local prescribers and long-term care facilities to support their patient’s needs.  

What Pharmacy Owners Need to Know About Open Enrollment  


Prioritize Your Efforts in Open Enrollment


Priority #1 – Using your dispensing software or Amplicare Match identify the patients that meet two specific criteria.  

  • Those currently enrolled in a plan that will NOT be the most affordable for them next year. 

           AND  

  •  The most affordable plan next year is also the plan that will provide the highest contribution to pharmacy revenue.  

If the plan doesn’t decrease the out-of-pocket cost for the patient, we don’t recommend making the switch. The focus for any Open Enrollment period should be around improving outcomes and decreasing co-pays and premiums for your patients.  


Priority #2 – Find the patients that simply are not enrolled in the most affordable option.  

Conducting plan comparisons builds the relationship with patients and your pharmacy. If you can help your patients understand their options, save them money, and help them switch to a plan that suits their health care need, they are more likely to continue filling prescriptions with your pharmacy.  

PRO-TIP: Create a PDF that highlights how much you patient stands to save on their prescriptions per month. Always try to quantify the value you provide when possible.  


Priority #3 – Identify Low Income Subsidy (LIS) Network Patients.  

An often-overlooked segment of patients is those currently enrolled in or eligible for the Low Income Subsidy Network (LIS). There are four groups of people who may benefit from a consultation or assistance submitting the application for the LIS coverage.  

The premium and co-pays for are often the same or comparable across these benchmark plans; allowing you to help them choose a plan that offers better reimbursements and lower DIR fees for your region. Additionally, helping patients who qualify, but aren’t currently enrolled can help in driving referral traffic. You and your team can connect with low-income clinics highlighting this service for vulnerable patients.  

Identify Which Plans… 

  • Have restrictions in place 
  • Pharmacists and patients should know which plans cover ALL their drugs, require prior authorization, or step therapy for certain drugs. 
  • Have formulary changes 
  • Ensure you know the cost of a patient’s plan based on upcoming changes. This can help you find medication alternatives for patients that may not want to switch plans but their medication coverage has changed.  

Start Connecting with Patients Early and Often 

Some Medicare plans begin communicating with patients about their options before they turn 65, to shift their business to a chain or mail-order pharmacy. Reaching out to eligible patients before they are steered away from your pharmacy is critical.  

Additionally, many Medicare members are eligible for an annual MTM review with a pharmacist. Reaching out for an MTM prior to open enrollment helps keep the patient and pharmacist informed, as well as identify opportunities to highlight ways to save your patient money during the open enrollment period.  

Want More Information?

PDS teamed up with Amplicare to help pharmacy owners discover Open Enrollment Tactics that they can implement NOW to protect (and increase) their profits in the coming year. Watch this webinar to learn how to compare plans for patients, identify and act on win-win opportunities for patients and the pharmacy, mitigate DIR fees, and hear about the Amplicare features available to help you this fall.

Legacy Challenge #PDSRxHero

The Independent Pharmacy Legacy Challenge

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Are you a #PDSRxHero? Independent pharmacies all over the country have been invited to join the PDS Legacy Challenge. To enter is simple, just post photos and videos on social media of your successes, wins, and all the great things your pharmacy is doing with #PDSRxHERO in the caption. “Successes” can include anything from participating in a community event to getting a patient adherent, basically any milestone your pharmacy team achieves.

Why should independent pharmacies enter the Legacy Challenge? There are many reasons!

  1. Build your pharmacy’s legacy. Every success, even the ones you consider small or insignificant, all come together to highlight the significant contributions your pharmacy makes in your community.
  2. Tell your story and build your brand online.
  3. Weekly prizes! Winners always receive a $500 donation to the charity of their choice in their pharmacy’s name, plus a prize for their team such as conference tickets, team events, gift cards, and more.
  4. The chance to win a customized and all expenses paid two-day Pharmacy Team Retreat!
  5. Last but not least, every time you use #PDSRxHero, PDS will donate to the NCPA Legal Defense Fund (up to $10,000).

The Legacy Challenge is your chance to positively impact your pharmacy, your community, and your industry as a whole.

New weekly prize drawings are announced every Monday leading all the way up to the 2021 PDS Super-Conference in February, during which we’ll be announcing the winner of the grand prize. There is no limit to the number of entries each pharmacy can post. Every success shared using #PDSRxHERO counts as an entry into the weekly drawing and the grand prize drawing.

So, how do you become a #PDSRxHero winner?

The first three weekly drawing winners (Valley Pharmacy, Mickey Fine Pharmacy, and Rightway Pharmacy) are all unique, but what they have in common is hardworking teams who put in the effort to help build their businesses and their commitment to the wellbeing of their patients. Since kicking off this contest, we’ve seen amazing stories being shared on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn by pharmacies all across the country! Here are our top three so far…

Valley Pharmacy

Valley Pharmacy, our first winning independent pharmacy is located in Valley, Alabama. They were recognized for the work they’ve been doing through the COVID-19 pandemic. Not every business can say that they’ve kept their doors open for all of 2020, but Valley Pharmacy did just that. Plus, their team has remained healthy and virus-free. Their winning post recognized that this success is also in part due to their community, who have been wearing masks and opting for curbside pickup when possible. It’s very important to remember that we’re all in this together and Valley Pharmacy is happy to spread that message. Their donation went to their local church.

Mickey Fine Pharmacy

Over in Beverly Hills, California, Mickey Fine Pharmacy is making it easy for their community to get flu shots. Their winning post provided helpful information such as the location in which the vaccine is available when to stop by, and their phone number for those who have inquiries about the shot. Getting vaccinated is extremely important this year. Catching coronavirus and coming down with influenza at the same time could have devastating effects on a person. That’s why we think it’s amazing when pharmacies make the process of getting vaccinated as simple as possible. After winning, Mickey Fine sent their donation to the Women’s International Zionist Organization


Rightway Pharmacy

It’s another flu success story! Despite the fact that football season was just kicking off, Rightway Pharmacy, located in Sun City, Arizona, made sure to get a 101-year-old member of their community a flu shot. Going into work on a Sunday isn’t necessarily fun, but this pharmacy is all about compassion. The patient was able to be vaccinated in the comfort of her own home. Just one more step toward keeping Sun City safe and healthy! Their charitable donation went to Valley View Community Food Bank. With the $500, the food bank will be able to make 450 meals. Talk about making a difference!

We know there are hundreds of independent pharmacies doing incredible work in their communities that we haven’t heard from yet. There’s plenty of time to enter the Legacy Challenge, so join the fun! If these success stories have inspired you, just think about all the pharmacies and communities you could touch by sharing your own. Click below to learn more and get started sharing your story.

Pharmacy technology

Technology Enables the Human Touch

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Here at PDS, we take pride in highlighting some of our incredible exhibitors. We know these companies have the potential to revolutionize pharmacies just like yours through their products and services. We’re excited to introduce Parata. Read on for their sponsored blog post about the benefits pharmacy automation.

Empower Your Employees with Pharmacy Technology

Medicap Pharmacy®, in the Des Moines metro area, has been serving the community since 1980. In the process, it’s been tackling a challenge familiar to independent retail pharmacies: finding the right balance of personal service expected from a community pharmacy and the technology needed to empower employees with tools and time to make the greatest impact. 

“We base our practice on developing relationships with the patients we serve,” says owner John Forbes, RPh. “We work with them on their medications, doing synchronization programs and offering medication therapy management services to help them better understand what they’re taking and to drive more positive outcomes.” 

Medicap pharmacists and techs historically dispensed prescriptions in vials and blister cards, deliver patient education to help customers get the dosages and timing right, and deliver medication synchronization services to create an aligned refill schedule making it possible for patients with multiple prescriptions to reduce trips to the pharmacy for refills. 

Automation Improves Adherence

Taking a proactive approach, John set out to improve adherence safety by researching multi-dose compliance packing options. He chose to add pouch packaging automation, which packages all a patient’s meds in easy-to-open pouches, each clearly marked with a list of the pills inside and the day, date, and time to take them. This makes it easier for patients to know what to take when so they’re less likely to make a mistake. 

“We’ve gotten new patients from our automation,” John asserts. “The increased volume adds to the bottom line. In today’s pharmacy business, margins are tight, so making it up on more volume  is important.” 

“Patient safety is one of the primary reasons I moved to automation,” John explains. “People are more compliant with this kind of packaging. Compliance is at best 60 to 70 percent when they’re using bottles. When medications are in compliance packaging, it can increase up to 80 percent.” 

Customers need to trust their pharmacists, and John says the automation gives patients confidence. “They have a more secure feeling they are taking prescriptions properly,” he says, “and they are less worried about taking their medications.” Plus, it’s more convenient to have all your medications packaged by dose and time of day. “People crave convenience,” he adds. 

An Iowa state legislator since 2013, John serves on the Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee which oversees the state’s Medicaid program. This gives him insight into the cost benefits of medication compliance. 

“Medication errors are a huge problem within our society, and if we don’t get it under control, our whole system will implode,” he explains. “The packager is designed to lower costs by getting better compliance. When you can get people on an adherence program like this you get better outcomes. People are healthier, which reduces overall healthcare costs.” 

John estimates the difference in adherence between traditional packaging and compliance packaging could be as high as 20 percent. These savings can be due to reduced ER visits, hospital admissions, and nursing home transfers. 

Hear from the PDS pharmacy experts and learn more about compliance packaging.

About the Author

Parata provides pharmacy technology solutions to reduce costs, improve health outcomes, and enhance the patient experience by offering the most comprehensive pharmacy automation portfolio with medication adherence packaging, high-speed robotic dispensing technologies, and pharmacy workflow solutions. 

Top 4 Benefits of Attending a Pharmacy Business Conference

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There are multiple benefits to attending a pharmacy business conference. The most significant is spending three laser-focused days working ON your pharmacy, not just IN it. We told you it would be Game On in 2020, but we could have never predicted that you’d be leading your communities through a pandemic. The year has been rife with challenges, and yet we’ve seen first-hand how independent pharmacies have stepped up their game. After everything we’ve faced together, it will be more important than ever to surround yourself with the best and brightest in our industry. 

Do you…  

  • Believe independents deserve to thrive?  
  • Want to contribute to the industry positively?  
  • Think that the only way to navigate uncertainty is with a community?   

Then you can’t afford to miss the 2021 PDS Super-Conference. Join a growing movement of healthcare providers, pharmacy owners, and their teams who are committed to saving their business and changing the way they play the game against PBMs. This event is the ONLY pharmacy conference of its kind; keep reading as we outline the top four benefits of attending PDS 2021.

attending a pharmacy business conference

Discover the Possibilities of Finding Success 

If you’re reading this, you likely already realize that there is a better way to run your pharmacy. The first step though is to decide if you’re ready to get out from behind the bench. Attending PDS 2021 is seeing what is possible. Connecting at the Super-Conference puts you right in front of pharmacy owners that have found success despite industry challenges.

Learn how:

Leave with Actionable Takeaways  

When you get back to your pharmacy on the Monday after the conference, you’ll have real information to make immediate improvements. By design, the Super-Conference answers your questions will practical, actionable solutions. Our focus on delivering real strategies is a huge benefit to attending a pharmacy conference focused on developing you as a business owner. As we move into 2021, we must re-imagine the physical and digital patient experience. Don’t go it alone. Click below to watch some highly impactful presentations from past conferences. 

Improve your Profitability 

You didn’t get into the pharmacy business to barely survive. Helping patients and improving pharmacy profitability doesn’t have to be at odds. The truth is that real growth only comes from excellent patient care. You can’t control third-party reimbursements, so you must find other ways to improve profitability. Your business and patients will benefit from attending a pharmacy conference that will increase your bottom line and improve patient outcomes.

Learn From the All-Stars

attending a pharmacy business conferenceEvery year the top performers in our industry gather to inspire and learn from each other. We feature the best and brightest owners on the main stage in the general session, exhibitors and partners highlight their strategies, and you’ll find their case studies and success stories throughout the event. 

Here are a few tips to make the most of your time at the conference with this community. 

  • Speak to as many attendees as possible. You are among a fantastic group of pharmacy owners and staff – the nicest, most successful folks in our industry. Ask how they have succeeded, and please share your insights with them.
  • Prepare to change your mindset. Please let go of the notion that the traditional dispensing model is the only way to succeed in this industry. There is a world of opportunity if we can learn and adapt.
  • Involve your team. A great team aligned behind a clear strategy is unstoppable.
  • Visit our exhibitor partners. Please explore how they can become your solution partners, chances are high that whatever roadblock you’re facing has been solved by someone else. Ask questions, and make connections. 

Join Your Peers at PDS 2021

Independent pharmacy owners deserve to thrive. Take the first step to claim your success at the PDS Super-Conference. For 3-days, we deliver groundbreaking innovation, exclusive exhibitor solutions, and keynote speakers that will empower and inspire the best in you and your team. Register below with the promo code SUMMER20 to save over 40%, and you’ll receive a complimentary companion ticket. Remember, we want you to feel comfortable with your registration, so all tickets are 100% refundable before October 1st, 2020.

A Quick-Start Guide to Omega-3s

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Here at PDS, we take pride in highlighting some of our incredible exhibitors. We know these companies have the potential to revolutionize pharmacies just like yours through their products and services. We’re excited to introduce Oceanblue. Read on for their sponsored blog post about the health benefits of Omega-3s.

A Quick-Start Guide to Omega 3s

Sometimes it can be hard to know exactly when the best time is to start taking steps towards planning for the future. The endless possibilities can leave us feeling lost, while the things that are important to us keeps us pushing forward towards a better future for ourselves and those we care about. In today’s fast-paced society there is no shortage of novelties or distractions, and we can easily neglect the one thing that cannot be obtained with the simple click of a button. We are, of course, talking about our health. 

Improve Your Health with Omega-3s

Good health is one of our most important assets and taking the steps necessary to maintain it does not have to be a complicated or difficult process. Luckily, science has come a long way and we now have a better understanding of how our bodies work than ever before, and while there are no miracle cures or magic potions to fix our problems overnight, there are supplements that can help us in the journey towards better health. By taking care of our heart, mind, eyes, and joints, omega-3s might be just the help we need to make great improvements in the quality of life we can lead.  

Omega-3 has various health benefits – ranging from cardiovascular health, cholesterol reduction, to anti-inflammatory properties that help improve brain function, amongst others. These benefits undoubtedly created consumer demand, and the food and supplement industries responded by marketing omega-3s in everything from gummy vitamins to eggs and yogurt, and even in food and supplements for our four-legged friends. 

Which Omega-3 Product is Right for Me?

With so many options available, the question then becomes: Which omega-3 product is right for me? By selecting a high-quality omega-3 supplement that fits your lifestyle, you can proactively start to improve your health.  When selecting an omega-3 supplement there are a few things to remember: 

  1. Check the Supplement Facts panel to make sure the product contains enough omega-3s.  Some products can be misleading by telling you how much fish oil is in the product … and while fish oil contains omega-3s, not all of the fish oil is omega-3 oils. 
  2. Look for high-concentration omega-3 supplement that pack as much omega-3 oil into a capsule as possible. High-concentration means more omega-3s in fewer capsules.  
  3. Find a product that is pleasant to take so that you can commit to making it a part of your daily routine.  The key to any supplement program is to take it every day and to keep taking it for the long-term. 

There is no definite right way to start taking care of our health, the important thing is to be conscious of our bodies and make a habit out of healthy choices. Omega-3s can be the foundation in which to build a better version of ourselves and enjoy the benefits of a long and healthy life. 

About the Author

Oceanblue believes a great life starts with good health. Their omega-3 products are made using the world’s most advanced technologies to provide the most potent and best tasting omega-3 products available. Visit their website to see the full line of products and to learn more about what omega-3s can do for you! 

Diversify with Supplemental Oxygen

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Here at PDS, we take pride in highlighting some of our incredible exhibitors. We know these companies have the potential to revolutionize pharmacies just like yours through their products and services. We’re excited to introduce Boost Oxygen. Read on for their sponsored blog post about how supplemental oxygen can be a unique way to diversify your revenue.

Supplemental Oxygen Can Be A Profit Center For Your Independent Pharmacy

The human body needs three things to survive:

Nutrition

Hydration

Oxygenation

We can survive without food for 3-4 weeks. We can survive without water for 3-4 days. But we can only live without oxygen for 3-4 minutes. There are thousands of products available that address nutrition and hydration, but up until a decade ago few pharmacies offered oxygen-related products, besides the bulky tanks for medical-grade oxygen therapy.

The general public is learning more about the benefits of supplemental oxygen as an all-natural respiratory support product for athletes, senior citizens and people visiting or living at higher altitudes or in humid weather who experience shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches or dizziness due to oxygen deficiency.

Supplemental oxygen has recently become more important to offset the symptoms of facemask fatigue as people wear protective masks for longer periods at work or outdoors. Facemask fatigue can be compared to the effects of hypoxia as masks can restrict your normal oxygen intake.

Why Pure Supplemental Oxygen is so Important

Most people aren’t aware that the air we breathe contains only around 21% oxygen. At higher elevations, that number can be much less. That’s also not taking into account any pollution in the air. The majority of air is comprised of 78% nitrogen. Oxygen is vital for our cells to produce the energy to power our organs, and when you become oxygen deficient you can experience the symptoms of hypoxia.

Now, think about how much regular air you breathe when you’re outside exercising or working out. Every cell in your body is designed to burn oxygen – it’s the basic fuel for cell metabolism. Cut back on oxygen and all of those cellular processes become sluggish… you start to feel fatigued or short of breath. Less oxygen equates to cells losing the energy they need to repair DNA. Your immune system begins to weaken. Your risk of becoming sick escalates. Imagine how much the body could benefit from supplemental oxygen?

The Advantages of Offering Supplemental Oxygen in Your Pharmacy

For pharmacies that fill prescriptions for bulky oxygen tanks, there is often little or no profit margin. The pharmacy owner is often just providing a basic service with no benefit to their business. However, providing portable supplemental oxygen for your customers creates a new profit center. From the consumer standpoint, not everyone qualifies for or needs to be on continuous prescription medical-grade oxygen, but many would like to increase their oxygen level and experience the benefits of supplemental oxygen for many reasons.

The Advantages of Supplemental Oxygen VS. Other Supplements

Supplemental oxygen is all-natural, unlike the stimulants and energy drinks you see at a gas station or grocery store, which promise a quick fix for drowsiness. What they contain are caffeine, sugars, carbs and calories that can be harmful to your health or cause you to crash after their effects expire – forcing you to drink even more to avoid that crash. The same can be said about the effect of coffee on your body. Supplemental oxygen has no caffeine, sugar, carbs, or calories. There is no sugar crash with oxygen. Supplemental oxygen is completely natural and more relaxing and restorative than energy drinks or coffee.

About the Author

Boost Oxygen provides 95% pure “Oxygen To Go” all-natural respiratory support in convenient and portable canisters for your pharmacy customers, no prescription needed. To learn more about Boost Oxygen, visit BoostOxygen.com. For info on carrying our Boost Oxygen products in your pharmacy, email info@boostoxygen.com or call (877) 375-2500.

Creating A (Successful) Virtual Event For Your Pharmacy

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2020 will be remembered for a lot of things. Staying apart, coming together, learning a new normal. Pharmacies have found innovative ways of keeping their businesses moving and operating efficiently – including an abundance of virtual communication. We are going to take it a step beyond virtual meetings and talk about virtual events in your pharmacy. This could be a product or service launch, a grand opening, a community event, etc. Big or small, there is a real advantage to hosting a pharmacy event virtually. 

Why Should You Host a Virtual Event?

The advantages of a virtual event don’t just apply during times when it has to be done, when we are all socially distanced. You can reap the benefits of a virtual event even when you can host an in-person event because it expands your reach.

Key Benefits of a Virtual Event

  • Engage with an entirely separate audience (along with your community AT the event).
  • Your content can be used to promote your pharmacy long after the event.
  • Save time and money; virtual events will cost you less of both.

How to Get Started

The first step to hosting a virtual event (or any event!) is to decide when you want the event to take place. Even though its virtual, it will be live, so you need to decide on a date and time that will work for your audience. 

Next, you need to decide on a platform. The easiest option for a virtual event is Facebook Live. This allows you to share the experience in real-time with your audience. It won’t be perfect (it’s live, so you can’t edit), but it will be authentic, and that’s what matters. Live streams are available to viewers with or without a Facebook account. Viewers without a Facebook account just need the live stream URL. Facebook has an easy outline that talks about the technicalities of how to set this up. We are going to focus on how to promote your event and some tips and tricks to help it go smoothly!

Promoting Your Virtual Event

Just as with a regular, in-person event – you have to let people know about it or they won’t show up. At least with this, you don’t have to worry about ordering the right amount of food! So, what are the best ways to generate interest for your virtual event?

  • Schedule the Live Video – Let your fans know when you’re going live! Facebook sends a notification to your followers when your stream begins.
  • Create a Facebook event – Publicize the event details and invite your network.
  • Promote on Facebook – Create a buzz with organic posts and paid advertisements. Think beyond just posts – include photos and videos for interest.
  • Promote via other social channels – You don’t have to limit yourself to Facebook, post on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. and include the link to the Facebook event.
  • Send direct mail / invites – They don’t have to be fancy (or expensive). A simple, handwritten note (copied and printed) will do just fine! Send to your patients, your community, and your broader network.
  • Promote via community channels – Think about the boards you sit on; the community organizations are you involved in. Can they help promote this to their extended networks as well?
  • Promote via email – Do you already have a database of email addresses? Send the invite out via email and include the link to the Facebook event.
  • Utilize your colleagues and friends – Have guests, employees, friends, etc. share with their networks to broaden your reach.
  • Send out a press release – If you can get local press to attend (in-person or virtually), they will help to spread the word and gain publicity for your event.

Planning is Key

Now that you have spread the word and generated interest, you need to organize the event. A virtual event isn’t the same as an in-person event. You need to be able to engage your attendees even when you’re not face to face. A well-developed plan and a smooth-running event will help you do just that. There are technical considerations you need to make as well, but we’ll talk about that in a moment.

Start with the Goal in Mind

When you start developing a plan, first define what the goal of the event is. Once you have your goal in mind, you can plan out what you need to do to achieve that goal. Do you want people to know about the excellent patient care you offer? Do you want to drive patients to a new location? Are you trying to increase awareness about a new product? Each of these examples will have a slightly different plan.

Lay out the Logistics

Take a look at the length of your event and break it out into beginning, middle, and end. Depending on what your overall goal is, set up the plan for the event. Some ideas may include a virtual tour or a look behind the scenes, a promotion for participants, a ribbon cutting ceremony, a giveaway, a speaker, etc. Each portion of the event should be engaging for viewers. Unlike an in-person event, you don’t need time built in for mingling or networking. Be thoughtful, keep it concise and keep your viewers in mind.

Add a Little Incentive

While many people will attend just to support you, you can also use incentives to entice more people. Offer something to everyone who joins the Facebook Live (a gift, discount, etc.). If you promote this ahead of time, it will increase the number of viewers and it will also help to drive business following the event. You can also design a more significant contest or giveaway that you can promote and then announce a winner during the Facebook Live.

Tips and Tricks for a Seamless Virtual Event

A virtual event does involve technology, so it’s important to be prepared. Here are just a few pieces of advice that will help ensure your event goes smoothly.

  • Stick to the plan (generally) – It’s live so you may go off script a bit, but in general, if you stick to your plan you will feel more prepared and your confidence will come across to the audience.
  • Use a tripod and mic – Nothing is more frustrating than bad audio or visual when you are trying to watch something virtually. Invest in some equipment (you can get them inexpensively on amazon)and test it beforehand.
  • Make sure lighting is good – See above. You want people to see what you are showing them.
  • Make sure bandwidth is sufficient – You’re depending on the ability to stream your event. Make sure your connection is reliable.
  • Make sure the background reflects the brand – We all know people stage photos (eh-hem, you who just took a photo of your kids and your house looks spotless, meanwhile there is a pile of unfolded laundry in the corner). Same concept. Show the viewers what you want them to see (even if you have to stage it!).
  • Use a horizontal frame – This will give viewers a more comprehensive view of the pharmacy or location and allow them to feel like they are part of it.
  • Interact with the viewers – Pretend you are in the same room. Acknowledge people who join, give people shout-outs, encourage questions, address comments, etc.
  • Have back-up – Backup might include a person – someone to help with the technical aspect or problem solve any issues that may arise. That also includes backup equipment (computer, phone, etc.).

That’s a Wrap. Now What?

You’ve made it through your event with minimal footage for the blooper reel and you’re feeling good. It’s not time to sit back and relax just yet. Following your virtual event, there are steps you will want to take to maximize and repurpose the content.

Once you complete the Facebook Live and post it to your page, you will want to add some context around it. Edit the post with a brief and actionable summary about the event and tell people why they should watch. You can also add closed captioning to the video since many videos on Facebook are listened to without sound.

Once your video is cleaned up, you will want to address comments and answer questions that you maybe didn’t get to during the live broadcast. This will continue the conversation and the engagement with your audience. Continue to keep an eye on the post in case questions and comments come in from people who didn’t watch it live.

Finally, don’t forget to repurpose the video. Post it on your website, on other social channels, create a blog about it, etc. The create thing about a virtual event is that it doesn’t have a hard end time. You can extend the shelf life of the video and reach more people by continuing to push it out to your network. Think “In case you missed it” or “Did you miss our grand opening? Check it out now for a special discount code.”

Don’t Stop There

Your pharmacy deserves to thrive and there are many (both traditional and out-of-the-box) strategies you can implement today to make that happen. For more marketing ideas and advice to help grow your pharmacy, check out the webinar – How to Market Your Pharmacy During COVID-19, our Podcast – Marketing Strategies for Your Pharmacy and the blog – Marketing Your Pharmacy: Four Steps to Get You Started.

supply chain

Protect Your Supply Chain from Shortages

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Here at PDS, we take pride in highlighting some of our incredible exhibitors. We know these companies have the potential to revolutionize pharmacies just like yours through their products and services. We’re excited to introduce Datarithm®. Read on for their sponsored blog post about how to protect your supply chain from shortages.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak highlights potential vulnerabilities in both drug supply chain and clinical infrastructure. What are the ways you can protect your supply chain from shortages? 

Improve Transparency in the Supply Chain

To improve transparency in the supply chain and to ensure contingency plans are in place to mitigate disruptions that can result in drug shortages, the following solutions from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), enable safer and more consistent drug manufacturing: 

  • Require manufacturers to provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with more information on the causes of shortages and their expected durations and allow public reporting of this information 
  • Require manufacturers to publicly disclose manufacturing sites, including use of contract manufacturers, and sources of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)  
  • Require manufacturers to conduct periodic risk assessments of their supply chains and establish contingency plans to maintain the supply of a drug in the event of a manufacturing disruption 
  • Require the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a risk assessment of national security threats associated with the manufacturing and distribution of critical drugs 
  • Incentivize domestic, advanced manufacturing capacity

The Independent Pharmacy’s Role

Although these solutions highlight the needs of the federal government to safeguard drug supply, how can you as an independent pharmacy prepare for COVID-19 and the impact on the supply chain? You can help soothe their fears by making sure your shelves are fully stocked and shift your inventory to their current and future needs. Click here for the complete list of current and resolved drug shortages and discontinuations reported to the FDA and the full list of drug shortages. For the most current supply information, contact the manufacturers. Then think to yourself if your pharmacy is prepared to handle the high demands in today’s current environment. Maintaining your pharmacy inventory, keeping the right medications in stock, and being prepared for the future is more crucial now than ever.  

About the Author

Datarithm® is dedicated to helping independent pharmacies reach their full potential by optimizing their largest investment and biggest expense. Contact our team and learn how our cloud-based inventory management software can help you streamline operations, reduce expenses, increase profits, and improve cash flow and liquidity for your pharmacy. Invest in Datarithm® today. 

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