Lately I've been reading some of the blogs by other pharmacists in retail pharmacies complaining about the hype (just or not) caused by the media and patients around the Swine Flu, sorry the H1N1 virus, and it got me thinking.
Too often I hear about pharmacists that want to do more, and have closer relationships with their patients and really impact their lives. I would say that this is a great opportunity to make that happen. As commonly called "the most accessible health professional" you have the opportunity to assist those who come into the pharmacy seeking help. This is a great chance to begin conversations with people that otherwise would have looked to you only on a transactional basis before. Many of these people need to be educated about the truth of what H1N1 really is and how they can prevent it. For pharmacies, why not hold an H1N1 "clinic" that distributes information on what to look for and what to avoid. For one, that will get more people in the pharmacy with more of a chance to conduct clinical services like MTM, or diabetes management.
This is a great chance to develop repeat customers for you business if you're a small independent owner too.
Stand out, be different and people will remember you for it.
Think of how long pharmacies have been looking for people to come in with questions and actually speak with the pharmacist. Now they're here, what are you going to do with it?
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