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Vacations are coming to an end, the temperature is starting to cool down (depending where you are), and your pharmacy’s workflow might be getting back to normal. Don’t get too comfortable, however. While you take a breather from the waning summer rush, there’s another kind of shakeup coming your way: the back to school rush.
Your pharmacy should be no stranger to the back to school season. Vaccines, inhalers, and everything in between will be flying off your pharmacy shelves over the next few weeks, so let’s see how you can weather this academic storm (and maybe have some fun while you’re doing it).
First, let’s look at your pharmacy’s layout. You should adjust your pharmacy’s layout and inventory according to the time of year. Holidays like Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are perfect times to shake up your pharmacy’s layout within reason — and the back to school is no exception.
Showcase your back-to-school medications at the front of your pharmacy so it’s the first thing your patients see when they walk in. Some medications you might want to showcase include:
These are just general suggestions for students to have. Not everything applies to younger students, so make sure the student’s parents consult a doctor for what medications they should stock up on.
Now let’s step away from the pharmacy for a second and think about school supplies. Your pharmacy may sell a variety of school supplies like colored pencils, tissue boxes, backpacks, and more. Much like the previous section, showcase these items to your patients and customers.
Doing this creates a nice additional revenue stream for the early fall season. Also, who doesn’t like a new backpack?
Now, let’s get back to the pharmacy, behind the counter specifically. The back-to-school rush is a rush like no other. Instead of vacation overrides, you may have to manage other kinds of overrides like double fills or early refills.
Inhalers are the big ones when it comes to this. Doctors often write a prescription for two inhalers for school students — one for home use and the other for school. This is a time-honored tradition in the world of pharmacy, yet many insurance plans have been slow to keep up.
You may encounter a “Refill Too Soon” rejection from the patient’s third-party provider, so make sure you have your submission clarification codes handy when you need them. Also, you may want to inform your patients ahead of time so they may talk with their insurance providers too.
Prescription items like inhalers, EpiPens, and insulin products can be subject to these kinds of delays. What's more, make sure your pharmacy is stocked up on these hot ticket items. They're usually in high demand on a regular day, but the back-to-school rush will surely drive up demand.
To see how your pharmacy products are performing, make sure to have a pharmacy software that can print out reports of a given item’s selling power. These kinds of reports can help you determine how much of that item to order and even inform future marketing campaigns.
To learn about other ways your pharmacy software can help drive profitability, check out our blog, “7 PioneerRx Features to Grow Your Pharmacy’s Profitability.”
Let’s take a look at your vaccine’s fridge, specifically your vaccines. It wouldn’t be a seasonal rush without some good ol’ vaccines. Vaccines are a cornerstone of your pharmacy operations and more so during the back-to-school season. Whether we’re talking about flu or meningococcal vaccines, your pharmacy should have these products readily available.
College-bound students are required to receive the meningococcal in several states such as Texas. Advertise your vaccines on your pharmacy’s social media pages and via the RxLocal app. Informing your patients that you provide essential products and services can further establish your pharmacy’s place as a pillar of the community.
Speaking of being a pillar of the community, holding a back-to-school wellness event is a tried-and-true way to establish your pharmacy’s presence. Contact fellow healthcare professionals like doctors and vets if they’d want to tag along. This will strengthen community ties with them, encouraging them to send their patients to your pharmacy.
These kinds of events let you care for your patients beyond filling a prescription. They are also a refreshing change of pace compared to the hectic tempo of traditional pharmacy work.
Take advantage of the more “relaxed” atmosphere by striking a conversation with your patient or student. Remember to talk to them whether you’re giving them their annual flu shot, checking their blood pressure levels, or simply giving them a goody bag (goody bags are a must).
Some small talk topics can range from the student’s major, what they want to do with their degree, or (kindly) nudge them to go to a pharmacy school. All of this is to be in good spirits, so make sure the wellness event’s vibe is an immaculate one.
To learn more about the power of wellness events, check out our blog, “Wellness Events and Vaccine Clinics: Why Your Pharmacy Needs Them.”
The back-to-school rush in your pharmacy is a special brand of pharmacy work. Vacations are winding down and the sun sets a little later now, so it’s time to lock in and help your patients/students start the fall off on the right foot.
With these simple but effective tips, your pharmacy will be the healthcare destination for your community, ensuring a healthier and more proactive patient base.
