The key to an independent pharmacy’s success is its ability to adapt to an ever-changing status quo. Ranging from prescription kiosks to virtual reality (VR) headsets, here are the five trends that can (and already are) shaping today’s independent pharmacy industry.
- Clinical Services – More Than Just a Pharmacy
In addition to customers preferring a more streamlined experience with how their medications are handled, a pharmacy’s capabilities are also evolving. Gone are the days when vaccine shots being administered is a niche in your local pharmacy.
Enter clinical services—specialized services that appeal to specific demographics. In the past, patients could go to a specialty pharmacy for various health screenings, namely cholesterol and A1C checks. Now, you’d be remiss if you didn’t offer these services. The growing demand for clinical services speaks to the changing outlook patients have about their local drug store. It’s no longer just a place where customers can pick up their medications; it’s becoming a healthcare destination for all of their healthcare needs.
2. Automation / Dependence on Technology
With so many other tasks to complete throughout the day, you need a software system that does most of the tedious heavy lifting. For example, these software systems can automatically inform patients when their prescriptions are ready, tell them their medication is out of stock and when it should come in, and other general inquiries that can be done through automation. Your pharmacy’s phone system should offer automated services for customers to easily use. These can range from refill requests, status updates and other low-effort inquiries. Having your phone system do some of the more menial tasks allows you to focus on the more consequential tasks.
3. More Convenience for the Customer
Customers want their experience in the pharmacy to be simple and streamlined. They want to know the status of their order at a moment’s notice and have the ability to request a refill just as quickly.
If you haven’t already, have a mobile app developed for your pharmacy or an easy-to-navigate website at the very least. Even picking up a prescription is becoming increasingly automated. Mail order delivery is becoming more and more common, with customers preferring the convenience of having their prescriptions sent to their doorstep. Services like ScriptCenter let patients pick up their prescriptions at lockers and kiosks.
4. Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote patient monitoring is one of the newest trends in healthcare. This uses a range of devices, like wearable sensors, watches, and mobile health apps, to gather real-time data. It can track everything from vital signs to medication intake to other health metrics, like heart rate and blood sugar. Then, it sends that information straight to your pharmacy. On the patient’s end, they can get up-to-date information about their own health. It’s a win-win for you and your patients.
5. Pharmacy labor pressures persist
The recent pharmacy labor issues at major chains has been about reducing the burden on back-of-store workers. This suggests that retail pharmacies may need to hire more employees to keep their workforce happy. Store closures among the big drug chains could be freeing up some labor and helping reduce staffing shortfalls at nearby locations. However, the healthcare industry overall has been under increasing pressure from labor shortages, and that could continue to impact the retail pharmacy talent pool.
