Independent Pharmacy Archives

3 Ways Networking With Peers Can Revolutionize Your Pharmacy Business

October 23, 2015/0 Comments/in All, PDS Super Conference/by pdsmarketing

Many sacrifices are required along the road to revolutionize your pharmacy business. You probably feel like no one can quite understand how much your business means to you, but what if someone could? There would be camaraderie, idea sharing, support and a place to go for advice.

As an independent pharmacist, it’s easy to discount the fact that you are part of a large, impressive community, which is why networking with peers has proven to be an invaluable tool for thousands of pharmacy owners just like you. Investing the time to attend industry events is certainly worth it in the long run.

Here are the top three reasons you should make connecting with peers a priority:

1. Generate New Ideas

Networking with others is a great way to develop new ideas and gain feedback on ideas of your own. When you spend time with industry leaders, you have the opportunity to eliminate trial and error by hashing out your plans with those who have already implemented similar concepts successfully. Taking advantage of the opportunity to network with other pharmacy owners could save you countless dollars and hours.

2. Gain Emotional Support

Networking is more than just talking. When done right, you are building a community of people who support each other in good times and bad. Speaking with a peer who understands your challenges will provide extra motivation and encouragement when you need it most.

3. Acquire Valuable Business Advice

Owning and operating a pharmacy is not easy. And while you are an expert on the pharmaceutical side of your business, the financial side can be confusing. If you didn’t take business or finance classes in school, you may be taking unnecessary risks by learning as you go. Whether your synchronization program is requiring too much manpower and needs to be simplified or you are in hot water financially, enlisting support from other owners who understand your challenges will surely have positive results.

Nothing can replace a face-to-face networking experience, which allows for new opportunities, unbreakable bonds and a rejuvenated outlook. Pharmacy owners who attend the annual PDS Super-Conference have reported that it is “a breath of fresh air” and will expose you to “more actionable recommendations than all other industry events combined.” To start connecting with like-minded independent pharmacy owners, register now for the PDS Independent Pharmacy Super-Conference: Together Toward Tomorrow

Five Reasons 8 out of 10 Businesses Fail

October 21, 2015/0 Comments/in All, Pharmacy Growth Strategies/by pdsmarketing

8 out of 10 Businesses Fail- Don’t Let Your Pharmacy Be One of Them!

According to Bloomberg, 8 out of 10 entrepreneurs who start businesses fail within the first 18 months. We know that businesses fail when they run out of money, but there are many reasons why difficult times can result in a business closing its doors. Understanding why 80% of businesses crash and burn will help prevent the possibility that your pharmacy could become part of that statistic.

Here are five different factors that can contribute to a pharmacy business failure:

1. Leadership Breakdown

Some small business owners self-sabotage by not placing enough emphasis on the development of leadership and business planning skills. Your pharmacy depends on you to succeed. If you lack the ability to relate well with other people and motivate your staff, you will need to gain the necessary skills or hire an experienced, talented manager. If pharmacy accounting is not your forte, take a financial leadership course or hire a professional. Recognize areas where you need to invest in your own skills or need to hire someone to fill a role you are not able to, is an indispensable element of successful pharmacy ownership.

2. Ignoring the Customer Voice

Your patients hold the keys to your success, so running a profitable pharmacy begins with listening to their opinions and meeting their needs. When an entrepreneur sees a potential opportunity or dreams up a new idea, they often retreat and stop listening to their customers and staff, but pharmacy marketing needs to be a conversation, not a one-way monolog.

3. Lack of Differentiation in the Local Market

In one sentence, can you verbalize what differentiates your pharmacy from the competition? If you can’t, it’s critical that you figure out why your pharmacy is special and market that value to your community. Whether you offer a service others lack, like a medication synchronization program, or cater to a niche group of patients, make sure your local neighbors know why you are different and better than others.

4. Failure to Communicate Value

Do you know how to communicate your pharmacy’s value to your target audience? Many entrepreneurs work hard to discover a point of differentiation, but fail to communicate their message in a clear, concise and compelling manner. Listen to what your customers are telling you and speak their language.

5. Inability to Generate Dependable Revenue

At the end of the day, your pharmacy needs to be making money. Independent pharmacies need to move quickly while conserving cash to find their piece of the local industry pie. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and bounce back quickly. The inability to turn a profitable business model into profitable revenue is a recipe for independent pharmacy disaster.

Being aware of the five primary reasons for failure is the first step toward preventing them. Develop your skills as a leader, listen to your customers, know your value and how to market your business, and work hard to locate dependable sources of revenue. There is a plethora of information available to pharmacy owners who want to get started and need guidance. Contact a pharmacy business consultant or begin by watching our On-Demand Webinar “Leadership on Fire”. You will pick up a few tips on pharmacy leadership that can be implemented immediately.

What Is Pharmacy Business Coaching?

October 20, 2015/0 Comments/in All, Pharmacy Growth Strategies/by pdsmarketing

The Green Bay Packers and Vince Lombardi. The Dallas Cowboys and Tom Landry. The New York Knicks and Phil Jackson. Even the best professional athletes in the world have coaches they rely on to keep them at the top of the game. Did you know that independent pharmacy owners need coaches, too?

Working with a team of the nation’s top pharmacy experts and mentors is the best way to improve every area of your business. Pharmacy business coaches possess the expertise that pharmacy school doesn’t teach you – they are experts at running a successful business from managing staff to balancing budgets and finding profit opportunities. They have worked with some of the most successful pharmacy owners in the country, so they know what works for industry leaders and they understand the challenges you face.

Working with a business coach is like adding an ivy-league educated, 6-figure salaried professional to your team. Here are four reasons you need a pharmacy business coach:

1. Access Proven Solutions

An experienced business coach has seen it all – the good, the bad and the truly terrible. The wisdom that comes from years of working in the independent pharmacy industry is indispensable. While you may be new to certain situations, the chances are that your coach already knows a solution to get you through difficult times quickly.

2. Strengthen Your Team

According to coachfederation.org, working with a professional business coach increases time management by 57% and boosts overall work performance by 70%. Those numbers will benefit every area of the pharmacy from the owner to the cashier. Gaining expertise from a business coach specializing in independent pharmacy allows you to leverage outside skills to strengthen your team.

3. Increase Profits

Analyzing financials is often the most challenging part of running any small business. Pharmacy owners are at an increased disadvantage, because financial planning is not typically included in pharmacy school curriculum. One of the many advantages of working with a business coach is that they can help you develop a budget, price new services and find holes that are draining your cash flow. You will be able to ask any financial question with the confidence that you will find support in making the smartest decision for your pharmacy.

4. Create a Positive Team Culture

Your coach will provide tools that will enable you to build a culture of mutual trust and support in your organization. From interpersonal communication to conflict management, the leadership skills and knowledge you gain will allow your pharmacy to run like a well-oiled machine. Building a great team culture is paramount to your pharmacy’s success. In fact, 72% of small businesses that employ a professional business coach report improved communication and leadership skills.

It can be difficult to see all of the different ways to tackle a problem by yourself. Your business coach is a great sounding board and a creative thinker who will help carry your daily efforts through to completion. Working with a business coach puts an advocate in your corner every step of the way along the road to success.

If the best professional athletes in the world need to work with a coach, why shouldn’t you? To learn more about pharmacy business coaches and how they can help you, arrange a meeting with a PDS business advisor today.

4 Reasons Millennials Matter to Your Pharmacy

October 15, 2015/0 Comments/in All, Pharmacy Growth Strategies/by pdsmarketing

Millennials are defined as the group of people born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s. They are classified as civic-minded, taking an interest in politics and the environment, and are more tech-savvy than any previous generation. Millennials have never known the world without the Internet. They transformed life as we knew it with companies like Facebook, Dollar Shave Club and Etsy. With a track record like that, it’s no wonder that businesses worldwide are fighting for their attention.

Think your pharmacy will survive by focusing on the aging population instead? Think again, millennials matter to your pharmacy!

Here are 4 reasons you need to pay more attention to millennials:

1) Their Numbers Are Huge

There are eighty million millennials in America alone and they represent about one-fourth of the entire population! It’s hard to believe that one generation accounts for such a big chunk of our society, but it’s true. That’s why winning their attention is critically important to your pharmacy’s success – the numbers don’t lie.

2) They Are Here to Stay

As the most recent generation to come into adulthood, millennial buying power is still in its infancy. As your elderly customer base dwindles, gaining repeat business from millennials will become increasingly important. Not only will this generation be here for the long haul, but the number of millennials in your pharmacy will continue to grow exponentially over the next 25 years.

3) They Have Major Influence

Millennials can impact your business through word-of-mouth like you’ve never seen before. They influence both older and younger generations with their opinions on everything from fashion to food. While baby boomers rely on traditional advertising, millennials look to social media for authentic reviews on local businesses. Once you build a reputation with millennials, the impact on your business growth can be monumental.

4) They Practice Brand Loyalty

According to a survey conducted by Forbes, 60% of millennials said that they are often or always loyal to brands from which they currently purchase. If you attract this generation and turn them into customers, they will most likely continue to buy from you in the future.

Companies have been struggling to connect with this generation because many of the traditional methods of advertising have proven ineffective at capturing their attention. The sooner you make an effort to build relationships with millennials in your area, the better.

Expanding your millennial client base is just one way to build your business. At Pharmacy Development Services, we have dozens of proven business strategies for the independent pharmacy, as well as the expertise to point you in the right direction immediately.

If you want to learn more about different ways to attract, engage and delight millennials, register for this on-demand webinar

5 Benefits of the Appointment Based Model

October 9, 2015/0 Comments/in All, Pharmacy Growth Strategies/by pdsmarketing

The Appointment Based Model (ABM) is a patient care service that allows pharmacies to schedule appointments for customers to pick up all of their medications at the same time by calling them in advance.

Pharmacies that have moved to the appointment-based model have experienced a better-quality performance, increased customer loyalty and ability to provide effective patient care. According to recent studies, ABM patients’ PAB scores have increased on average by 17 points after enrolling in the program.

Here are 5 reasons why your pharmacy should switch to an appointment based model:

1. Improved Patient Medication Adherence

The engine that drives the ABM is medication synchronization — the process that allows scheduling refills on the same day every month. Several days prior to the appointment, pharmacy staff will call patients to determine the fill order and identify any changes in their regimen, giving the pharmacy plenty of time to make any necessary adjustments. This also provides a unique opportunity to engage with patients and provide additional questions and answers.

2. Better Quality of Life for Patients with Chronic Conditions

Acute and chronic medication therapies can only achieve positive health outcomes if patients show persistence with their therapeutic plans. The ABM can help solve non-adherence problems with medications in patients with chronic conditions by identifying an “anchor” prescription to synchronize with all other prescriptions in timing and quantities needed. This system significantly reduces the number of incorrectly filled prescriptions and allows patients to be more consistent in taking their chronic medications.

3. Opportunity to Provide Additional Services

With each confirmation call, your pharmacy staff is able to learn critical information such as; if a patient has recently been in the hospital, visited a doctor, or has taken all of his/her prescribed medications. On these calls, there is always an opportunity to identify needs and provide additional services related to a patient’s condition e.g., immunizations, Zostavax, or PGX testing

4. Making Smarter Decisions Based on Customer Data Analysis

With data available in your ABM system you can focus not only on identifying the best eligible patients for the services you provide, but also create groups of patients based on different criteria. You can then effectively predict trends and suggest adjustments. For example, if a significant number of your patients experience an adverse effect to a certain medication after taking it for certain period of time, you can predict exactly when you need to adjust their prescription.

5. Lower Inventory and Delivery Costs

During preparation for a patient’s visit, your pharmacy can anticipate when their medications are needed, making sure that everything is in stock and all prescriptions are ready. Planning ahead will significantly lower your costs and ensure a higher inventory turnover. Consolidating patient medications alsoenables delivery of prescriptions to a patient’s home, only once a month vs. making multiple trips, thus decreasing delivery expenses.

Overall, pharmacies that have moved to the ABM have been shown to increase their overall performance quality and improve workflow efficiencies. If you are ready to embrace the appointment based model and evolve from being reactive to a more proactive business model, please join us by watching this webinar, The Appointment Based Model: Catalyst for Pharmacy Services Expansion.

5 Pharmacy Team Members Who Would Enjoy a Retail Adherence Program

October 8, 2015/0 Comments/in All, Pharmacy Growth Strategies/by pdsmarketing

This guest blog post was authored by Parata Systems.

In today’s health care industry, pharmacies are doing even more to keep patients healthy. This change doesn’t need to stop with your pharmacists.

Every member of your pharmacy team has a role to play.

These team members are the face of your pharmacy. Each employee represents your brand, serves your customers, and supports your business. Is your entire team engaged and empowered to fulfill their jobs to the best of their ability?

Answer the questions below to find out.

PHARMACISTS

Do your pharmacists wish they had more time to help patients who are struggling to stay healthy?
Are your top-prescribing physicians unaware of how your pharmacists can support patients between visits?
Wish you had a better way to prove your impact on medication adherence and patient outcomes?

TECHNICIANS

Could you do more to leverage these valuable team members to the fullest extent?
Would they like to have more interaction with your patients?
Do you have hectic days when your techs wonder how they’ll be able to squeeze in a quick lunch?

DELIVERY DRIVERS

Do your delivery drivers sometimes wonder if they’re making important contributions to your team?
During each delivery, do you want your drivers to be able to ask the customer how he or she is doing that day?
Would they be able to plan more efficient routes if they had more notice about the deliveries?

CASHIERS

Are your cashiers’ interactions with your customers picking up prescriptions just simple transactions?
Do they see patients come in several times each month to pick up different medications?
Are they missing opportunities to tell customers about your value-added services and programs?

MARKETERS

Is your marketer always looking for a new service or program to help promote your pharmacy?
Does he or she get pumped up about a good success story?
Would their jobs be easier if they had data in hand when approaching potential partners?

If you answered “Yes!” to any of these questions, we can help.

Register for our upcoming webinar, Empower Your Pharmacy Team through a Retail Adherence Program.

We’ll discuss how an adherence program can empower your team and differentiate your pharmacy. And, we’ll walk you through a five-step program covering how to do it.

Join us on Wednesday, October 14, at 12:00pm EDT for the webinar and a live Q&A session — and bring your whole team! Register here or click below.

About the Author

Parata provides pharmacy technology solutions that support business growth, better health outcomes, and lower medical costs. They are also one of PDS’s long-standing elite vendors at the annual PDS Together Toward Tomorrow Super-Conference. Register now and visit them at their booth!

For full contact information for Parata, visit them on their PDS Marketplace page.

How to Leverage Medicare Part D to Increase Customer Retention

October 2, 2015/0 Comments/in All, Pharmacy Growth Strategies/by pdsmarketing

The following is a guest blog written by Flaviu Simihaian, iMedicare.

Picture Fred. Fred is an independent pharmacist who loves helping his patients. They are loyal patrons of his pharmacy for countless years and value his expertise and attentive, expedient care. During open enrollment, most are looking to save some money on their Part D coverage. When asked for help, Fred immediately spends an inordinate amount of time inputting his patient’s medications on medicare.gov to help them find the most affordable plan.

Several of these plans cost the patient the same, but affect Fred’s pharmacy in different ways. Fred counsels his patients to sign up on one plan and then when he receives his remittance bill he finds a huge DIR fee, eating away at his already small reimbursement. Now his pharmacy is losing money. If only there was a way Fred could have known how the plans would reimburse the pharmacy and if there was a DIR fee.

Fred’s other patients attempt to handle their own plan comparison on the government site – but struggle. The government website is arduous at best and close to impossible for one that is not tech savvy. Frustrated and confused, they find themselves resigned to spend another year on their current plan.

One day, one of his patients visits Wal-Mart to buy a new shower mat and the Humana rep lurking in the shadows strikes up a conversation. Tantalized by the reps smooth talking ways, Fred’s patient falls under their spell and is lured into signing up on the Humana-Walmart plan. Word spreads throughout the community about the money Fred’s patient saved at Wal-Mart and soon there is a mass exodus of seniors, flooding Wal-Mart and signing up for the Humana-Walmart plan.

Unknown to both the seniors and Fred, not only is that plan not the most affordable, it will also make Fred’s patients go to Wal-Mart. Neither Fred nor his patients want to leave, but there is nothing they can do. Sound familiar?

This is a headache countless pharmacy owners experience. Don’t lose any more customers.

Matters could be different if Fred implemented a software in his pharmacy system that:

Compares medical plans for his patients to find the most affordable plan on-the-spot in seconds
Keeps his patients at the pharmacy
Increased reimbursements
Integrates with every pharmacy system
Provides a Star Ratings Report

This is possible with iMedicare. iMedicare is an independent pharmacists secret weapon, the ammunition that gives them the ability to fight back. The company was created by pharmacists to help independent pharmacies, like Fred’s, strike back against PBMs.

With 80% of Medicare patients in the United States on plans that are not the most affordable, this is not only a great way to help the pharmacy’s current patients but also to drive new business to the pharmacy.

Considering 10,000 people a day are turning 65, and the Medicare population is set to double within the next decade, independent pharmacies have a distinct choice.

They can become experts in Medicare, able to answer any question about any plan, and find the best plan for the patient and the pharmacy within seconds or continue leaving it up to chance and watch as their patients leave the pharmacy while failing to capitalize on this opportunity.

You can watch a video below to find out more information. Or visit iMedicare’s PDS Marketplace listing for full contact information.

About iMedicare

iMedicare works with 4,000 pharmacies to avoid preferred closed networks, improve their star ratings, increase reimbursements, and gain more Medicare business. iMedicare is available to use on a computer or tablet. For more information on iMedicare, visit their PDS Marketplace listing for full contact information.

As a long-standing elite exhibitor at our annual PDS Conference, you can find them at their booth at PDS 2016. Visit them and speak to them directly!

3 Reasons to Update Pharmacy Technology Now

October 1, 2015/0 Comments/in All, Pharmacy Growth Strategies/by pdsmarketing

This post has been rewritten since the initial publication.

You may think you’re saving money by keeping your old computers, telephones, software and security systems in place, but the risks associated with outdated technology outweigh the potential savings. Modern technology changes leaps and bounds in a relatively short amount of time. And while it may be tempting to postpone the necessary updates in your pharmacy, what you’re saving in initial costs will probably not be worth it in the long run. Here are three reasons why holding on to old technology is putting your pharmacy at risk.

1) Credit Card Security

Chances are that most of your customers don’t pay in cash, especially for expensive prescriptions. While you wouldn’t knowingly put your credit card users at risk for identity theft, running their cards through your aging system may be doing just that. If credit card breaches can happen to huge retailers like Target and Neiman Marcus, they can certainly happen to you.

Prior to October 1, 2015, if an in-store transaction is conducted using a counterfeit card, the cardholder’s losses from that transaction fall back on the retailer, but after October 1, the liability can shift to the card processor if the retailer has implemented EMV card acceptance.

Many falsely believe that this deadline of October 1, 2015 is mandatory for EMV chip card acceptance. Other rumors state that if a retailer implements EMV that they are protected from data breaches. Both statements are incorrect. While it is true there will be a shift in the liability for fraud after this date to whichever party is the least EMV-compliant in a fraudulent transaction, the term fraudulent transaction can mean several things. Fraudulent transactions can consist of counterfeit cards or even stolen credit cards. According to Stephanie Ericksen, Visa’s vice president of risk products, only about 2/3 of credit card fraud is due to counterfeit cards.

Regarding data breaches, retailers need to consider implementing a fairly new security technology called Point-to-Point Encryption, which encrypts the credit card number from the moment it’s swiped, and sends that encrypted card number directly to the processor. The retailer’s computers never see the card number and therefore, have no card data to provide a data thief.

Mike Gross, with Retail Management Solutions, one of our top vendors advises, “Independent pharmacies should look at their credit card fraud history, specifically credit card charge backs, and determine what that cost has been. Because pharmacies typically have so many details about their customer, such as name, address, health plan, and doctor, they may not see as many fraudulent transactions as say a big box store.”

Gross says, “In the end, the decision to purchase new hardware should be based on a store-by-store basis. I recommend pharmacies visit our dedicated EMV page to get the latest information regarding these credit card security issues.”

2) Lower Productivity and Efficiency

How often does your computer system go offline? Do your employees spend time waiting for screens to load? How long does it take your staff to place an order in the computer while customers wait?

Time is money and slow technology will impact the satisfaction levels of both your customers and your staff. In fact, there is a noticeable correlation between user-friendly technology in the workplace and employee retention, especially among younger employees who have up-to-date technology for personal use. If you want to keep your staff and patients happy, upgrade to a system that is quick and easy to use.

3) Legal/ HIPAA Issues

The HIPAA Privacy Rule provides federal protections for your customers’ health information and gives patients an array of rights with respect to that information. The Security Rule specifies a series of administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for you to use to assure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information. If you aren’t following these guidelines, or can’t because of an old computer system, you may be exposing yourself to a very costly fine or lawsuit.

Postponing technology upgrades may be putting both your customers and business at an unnecessarily high risk. Aging systems could cause you to lose money, employees and customers. Investing in the latest and greatest technology may seem daunting, but will be worth it in the long run. After all, investing in your success is one of the best ways to stay relevant in today’s competitive landscape.

If you’re looking for additional ways to compete in today’s market, we can help! Get started by downloading our free eBook, 3 Innovative Ways to Compete in the Pharmacy Market.

Ready to take the next step? Request a free pharmacy business assessment today. Our staff is specially trained to help you find ways to improve every area of your pharmacy immediately.

5 Pharmacy Leadership Styles You Need to Master Now

September 29, 2015/0 Comments/in All, Pharmacy Growth Strategies/by pdsmarketing

As the owner of an independent pharmacy, you may not realize how much of an impact your specific leadership style has on your staff and in turn, the overall success of your business. Every leadership style has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you can determine which of the following five categories you fit into, you can more easily use your strengths to grow your pharmacy and inspire your staff, while simultaneously identifying areas for improvement.

Laissez-Faire

This leadership style is wonderful for employees who don’t want or need to be micromanaged, but it hinders the productivity of employees who need more structure and supervision. If you enjoy a more relaxed approach to leadership, remember to give direct feedback to your employees, especially those who are naturally less independent. While this leadership style can create a fun, laid-back work environment, it’s important to be aware that it can also lead to lower production in certain types of employees.

Autocratic

Standing in total contrast to the laissez-faire style, the autocratic leadership style leads managers to make decisions with little to no input from others. While this management style can sometimes result in increased productivity and profitability, creative employees are typically unhappy in this type of environment. This leadership style benefits employees who require close supervision. While some pharmacy owners are happy to manage in this way, it’s important to be aware that it may lead to increased stress, burnout, and lower morale.

Participative

Often called the democratic leadership style, participative leadership values the input of team members and peers, but in the end, the responsibility of making the final decision rests with the pharmacy owner. When your pharmacy needs to make a change, the participative leadership style allows employees to accept changes easily since they play a role in the process. Participative leadership boosts employee morale for all types of employees because they are allowed to make contributions to the decision-making process, making them feel valued and encouraging a sense of shared purpose.

Situational

In your pharmacy, it is possible that different situations call for different styles of leadership. For this reason, pharmacy managers sometimes use situational leadership. For example, you may choose to use authoritarian leadership if a quick turnaround is needed to implement a new niche program. In that case, you would delegate tasks along with deadlines. On the other hand, when tasks are not as deadline driven, you may choose a more laissez-faire approach

Transformational

A transformational leadership style is ideal during a time of drastic change, but not for typical day-to-day operations. During a time of difficulty or transformation, this leadership style is helpful for getting staff on board before transitioning to a participative style. As a transformational leader, you must be careful not to move too quickly, remaining sensitive to staff members who may be resistant to change.

Your natural inclinations as a leader will play a major role in which category you fall into, but it’s also great to be aware of all five classifications and your ability to use different styles based on the staff member you’re working with or the situation your business is facing. Mastering the characteristics associated with various leadership styles and honing your personal leadership skills is no small task. That’s why PDS specializes in transforming pharmacy owners into dynamic leaders of high-performance teams. To learn more about what we do and how we can help you, set up a time to speak with one of our business consultants.

3 Easy Ways to Increase Medication Adherence Among Children

September 24, 2015/0 Comments/in All, Pharmacy Growth Strategies/by pdsmarketing

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Most parents will tell you that getting a young child to take medicine is a difficult task. As your community’s pharmacy, any assistance you can provide with adherence among children will have benefits for both your business and your patients. Part of making your community happier and healthier is making sure your customers’ children are taking their medicine and adhering to it exactly as prescribed by their pediatricians. The problem of getting children to follow a treatment regimen is widespread and is certainly frustrating for the physicians you work with, but you can aid tremendously by following these three tips. Start increase medication adherence now:

1. Use Flavored Liquids

In many cases, liquid medicine is the easiest way to ensure adherence. While that may be a given, there is more you can do to make the medicine go down easier. Use sweeteners with bubblegum or chocolate flavoring to mask bitter medications and to improve a child’s willingness to take it. While it may not be as good as real candy, it’ll certainly taste better than unflavored medicine and parents will thank you.

2. Offer Fun Dispensers

There are several different types of kid-friendly dispensers you can keep in stock that will help parents administer the entire dosage of a medication on the first try. Whether it’s a ladybug or an elephant’s trunk, a fun dispenser has the ability toturn a stressful experience into a pleasant one.

3. Communicate with Parents

When it comes to young patients, medication adherence is usually dependent on the parents, but juggling multiple responsibilities in the home can often create barriers. In addition to issues with forgetfulness and time management, some reasons why children do not take their medications include a parent’s misunderstanding of the diagnosis, concerns about the drug’s effectiveness and fear of a medication’s side effects. As a community health expert, you can help increase adherence and ease concerns by talking with parents at the time of prescription pick up. You may also want to distribute informational pamphlets or develop a check-in program. Pharmacy staff can be trained to call and check in with parents, asking how the prescribed schedule is going and gently reminding them to stay on track.

On average, parents forget one half of the information presented to them during a 15-minute meeting with a physician. Most of the information retained is associated with the diagnosis and not the drug being prescribed, which means that your pharmacy is the final opportunity to make sure a child adheres to their medication Don’t miss the chance to cement your position as your community’s top health expert- make sure flavored liquids and fun dispensers are available in your pharmacy, and make sure you discuss the importance of adherence with your patients.

Taking steps to become the most recognized family pharmacy in your community has countless benefits and increasing adherence among children is just one of many methods you can follow. To learn more about how to make your pharmacy the clear choice for family pharmacy needs, download our free eBook 3 Innovative Ways to Compete in the Pharmacy Market now!

What are your best practices for increasing medication adherence among children? Let us know in the comments!

Chris Cielewich

October 15, 2015 4:47:40 PM GMT+03:00

A couple other ways to motivate kids to take and complete their medication is to offer a small incentive/reward for finishing the medicine. Give the parents a compliance chart to post on the fridge which allows the child to color in a box after taking each dose and have a small prize to reward them after 10-14 days of compliance.

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