Pharmacy has come a long way since the Mesopotamians recorded the first simple prescriptions on cuneiform tablets in the Ancient Sumerian civilisation! With the launch of the Pharmacy First scheme, however, the industry is continuing to evolve, with pharmacists taking on increasing levels of responsibility for delivering primary care to their customers.
In this article, we’ll explore the different things that customers seek from their pharmacy and how you can strengthen your business’s presence in its community.
Outstanding Customer Service
Due to the Pharmacy First initiative, which launched in Jan 2024, pharmacies are increasingly becoming the first port of call for customers who have health concerns. Obtaining GP appointments is becoming increasingly difficult forcing more patients to seek professional advice elsewhere, so community pharmacies can become the backbone of primary care. Customers need to feel relaxed if they are to share their health information, so delivering exceptional service is crucial to forging positive relationships that showcase your business as a trustworthy healthcare service.
A Variety Of Services
Traditionally, pharmacies have supplied essential medications and first aid equipment but, with the advent of Pharmacy First, there’s a lucrative opportunity to increase the breadth of services t they provide. From travel immunisations and weight loss programmes to cosmetics and holistic therapies, pharmacies will now be able to offer a greater range of health-related services when customers visit to consult about minor ailments for which they would have previously consulted their GP. As a one-stop shop for all aspects of personal and family health, pharmacies can seize a valuable opportunity to increase their services and profits.
Convenience
A key tenet of the Pharmacy First programme is that pharmacies will offer prescription-free treatments for seven common health conditions throughout their opening hours. Unlike GP surgeries, many pharmacies are open during evenings and weekends, so customers will have better access to the immediate primary care they need to quickly deal with minor health complaints, without inconvenience and disruption to their daily lives.
Easy Access To Repeat Prescriptions
With hectic lives, many customers find it difficult to find the time to collect prescriptions, so community pharmacies can make it simpler by offering alternative reordering methods. For example, they can utilise modern technology to allow out-of-hours online ordering, text alerts when a repeat prescription is due, or email reminders to help customers to monitor their medications. Also, utilising modern pharmacy software can help you to stay abreast of your customers’ health, with any important changes easily noted to prevent incorrect or inappropriate prescriptions.
Self-Test Kits
Self-testing for a variety of conditions, such as urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, is now a popular choice for customers who wish to monitor their own health from the comfort of their home without taking up valuable GP appointments at their local surgery. Stocking a range of at-home testing kits in your pharmacy can help you to empower your customers, giving them the tools they need to stay in touch with their health and make more informed decisions about treatment plans.
Contact Us To Find Out More
At CIGA Healthcare, we supply a range of reliable and easy-to-use Suresign self-test kits which can empower your customers to take control of their personal health. To find out more, please browse our range or call us on 02825 685385 to speak to a member of our team.
Image source: Canva
