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Well, here we are: November, only two months until we welcome in the new year. As this year draws to a close, the last two months offer a powerful opportunity to set up your pharmacy for success while wrapping up the year on a high note.
From managing year-end vaccinations to cleaning up your pharmacy inventory, November and December bring specific needs and challenges that, when addressed, can boost your pharmacy operations. Here are some areas for your pharmacy to focus on from November onward.
We don’t need to tell you: flu season is in full gear. But flu vaccines are just the beginning — there’s an opportunity to boost patient wellness with other key vaccines, like COVID-19 boosters, pneumonia, and shingles.
Leverage your pharmacy technology to identify and remind patients who are due or eligible for these vaccines. A reminder text or email can be all it takes to motivate patients to get the shots they need before they gather with loved ones for the holidays. With PioneerRx, you can set care goals and trigger automatic messages for patients who are due for a certain vaccine.
November and December can be a good time to increase awareness for other seasonal ailments like common colds. Offer brief consultations or distribute informational handouts that address seasonal sicknesses to look out for.
You can also post on your pharmacy’s social media posts about these things too. Sharing tips can support patient wellness while helping them see your pharmacy as a holistic healthcare resource.
Your pharmacy likely experiences a surge in demand for cold and flu OTC products. November and December are peak times for cold, cough, and flu products, so ensure that your pharmacy is fully stocked with essentials like decongestants, cough syrups, pain relievers, vitamins, and immune boosters.
A pharmacy software like PioneerRx can give you reports on which OTC products are flying off the shelves, helping you create a plan of action. This can help boost your pharmacy’s profits and ensure better health for the community.
For more ways to boost your pharmacy’s profits through your software, read our blog, “7 PioneerRx Features to Grow Your Pharmacy’s Profitability.”
Offer pre-packaged wellness kits that bundle products together. Creating cold and flu survival kits or immune-boosting packs can encourage customers to pick up more than one item, increasing sales and helping patients find all they need in one visit.
If your pharmacy sells other retail items, stocking some seasonal products that appeal to holiday shoppers — like stocking-stuffer supplements, wellness gift sets, or cozy essentials like teas and honey — can encourage impulse buys and further your pharmacy’s profits by the end of the year.
The end of the year is the best time to evaluate your financials and come up with ways to grow. Reviewing your budget, tracking expenses, and analyzing your sales patterns (with PioneerRx, of course) can give you insights into what’s working and what's not. Your patients are looking to use up their HSA or FSA accounts before the new year, so now is the time to promote these eligible products and services.
Run promotions on FSA-eligible items like first-aid supplies, diabetic care products, or select OTC medications. Offering discounts or loyalty rewards on popular items can encourage patients to make the most of their remaining funds and help you clear out inventory ahead of the new year.
Year-end discounts or loyalty rewards can also drive patient visits, which is helpful for boosting year-end sales and ensuring your customers leave with positive memories of your pharmacy.
Before you know it, it’ll be the new year. New year's resolutions will be made and hopefully kept in the long run. Many patients will start health and wellness goals once the clock strikes midnight, such as smoking cessation, weight management, or fitness improvement. Get ahead of the game by highlighting your pharmacy’s support for these resolutions through tailored product offerings and consultations.
Use the remainder of the year to introduce or market wellness services, like smoking cessation counseling, weight management programs, or customized supplement plans. This is also a good time to prepare for the potential surge in vitamin sales, exercise aids, and meal-replacement supplements.
Take it a step further by reaching out to local fitness centers or dietitians to create cross-promotional opportunities. Partnering with other health-focused businesses can be a win-win for boosting visibility and creating a network of support for patients. Running a pharmacy makes you a pillar of the community, so make yours an undisputed healthcare destination that your patients (and the rest of the community) can trust.
The end of the year is a prime time to take a step back and evaluate your pharmacy’s operations. This includes ensuring that you are up-to-date on any new or upcoming compliance and regulatory requirements. The new year can bring changes to controlled substances regulations, privacy policies, and more, so use November and December to confirm your pharmacy is on track with these requirements.
DSCSA compliance is a current example of the industry’s changing laws and regulations. The road to DSCSA compliance has been a long one, but remains a vital part of your pharmacy’s operations. At the time of writing, the FDA has extended its stabilization deadline to the following:
Ensure you are up-to-date on industry news and developments. Subscribing to RedSail Technology’s NextWave Pharmacy Newsletter is a great way to stay updated on current events and software updates.
Then there’s the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P), a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act beginning in 2025. This new policy aims to ease the burden of constantly changing prescription copays. Check out CMS’ fact sheet about M3P to learn more.
Also, read the “Buy Now, Pay Later: CMS Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P)” blog from RedSail Technologies for additional information and insight.
To further prepare, consider running refresher training sessions for your team on regulatory and compliance updates, ensuring everyone is informed and prepared for the upcoming year. By handling this in advance, you can transition smoothly into the new year with minimized risks and a stronger foundation for success.
Some resources to ensure compliance include:
With the right focus on seasonal needs, promotions, and operational readiness, you can make November and December some of your most impactful months. Embrace the opportunity, make the most of every patient interaction, and you’ll be ready to start the new year off stronger than ever.
