American Pharmacist Month

October is American Pharmacist Month. This is the time to celebrate and honor pharmacists across the country. It is also a time to show customers the myriad of services your pharmacy has to offer and why you are one of the most trusted professions in the country. 

Do you believe your customers are aware that your services extend beyond filling prescriptions? One way to celebrate American Pharmacist Month is by client education in the following areas:

• Safe Medication Use- Pharmacists across the country go beyond filling prescriptions by having the knowledge of the safety of the medications they are handing out. With more than 80% of Americans taking at least one medication daily, there is a lot to know and understand with regard to safety. Do your patients know this?

• Disease Prevention: With more than 300,000 immunization-trained pharmacists ready to administer vaccines, pharmacists shine in the prevention of diseases like the flu. Make sure your customers know what vaccines you offer and why they are important to stay healthy. Protecting health is a priority.

• Diabetes Management – You could easily have an entire display in your pharmacy based on diabetes as more than 30 million Americans have this disease. Preventing and managing diabetes is a skill that pharmacists can offer clients.

• Asthma and COPD – Breathing easier has never been more important and with 25 million Americans dealing with asthma daily, they should respect the knowledge your pharmacy has on this condition.

• Over-The-Counter Help – Picking a medication off the shelf is no easy task. Whether it is for a cough, cold, generalized pain, or fever, the options to choose from are endless. Showcase how well trained your pharmacist is in helping pick the best OTC product for the job.

• Supplement – Just like OTC options, the world of supplements is huge as well. Extend your expertise to clients by explaining how the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements in the same fashion as OTC medication. 

Another great approach to celebrating American Pharmacist Month in October is to schedule special health events. Use keywords like “Talk to Your Pharmacist Today.” For example, create promotional events like vaccine clinics for flu shots, health screenings, etc. Additionally, you can create an open house event that includes tours of your pharmacy with informational stops along the way. 

Do not forget to use your website and social media to get the word out. You can create contests, giveaways and themed events online to celebrate your pharmacists. With less people leaving their homes these days, you can still have the opportunity to reach them online. Another great opportunity here is to do a “day in the life of a pharmacist.” You can take your viewers behind the scenes so they can discover and explore your world. Some other social media options include:

• Sharing stories
• Introducing staff and bios
• Promote a survey
• Choose a hashtag for your event
• Promote individual services

Don’t forget to celebrate with your staff as well. This is a time to celebrate all of your associates. This can be done by ordering lunch, making gift bags, handing out certificates in celebration of their efforts, throwing a big party and the list goes on. It is a great time to express gratitude for a job well done. 

Lastly, try reaching out to community leaders. This can include people like legislators, representatives, mayors, governors and other policymakers in your community. Many aspects of your pharmacy have a political component. Use this time to educate lawmakers to realize the value of healthcare in your field. This could be a great way to make some connections when things are needed in the future. The best part is that most policymakers should be easily reachable via phone or email that should be found online. 

Final Thoughts

October is the time to celebrate American Pharmacist Month and there is a nearly endless amount of ways you can honor your pharmacists. You can opt for simple ways of educating clients or shower employees with gifts and food. It is also the perfect time to network with people in your community who could have an effect on the future of the pharmacist. Either way, October is the month to celebrate.