Insight: Winter 2021

Winter 2021 | 13 wanted a flu shot to physicians and even other pharmacies. She and her staff immediately started spreading the word to alert existing customers to the new service offering. They even used IVR callouts and text messages. “The community seemed extremely happy when they learned they could come here for their vaccinations,” Marianne said with excitement. The next hurdle was deciding where they would administer vaccinations. “Our pharmacy isn’t small, but it’s not a huge space,” Marianne said. “The challenge gave us a chance to organize our space and come up with a special area strictly for immunizations. With COVID-19, we took an area of the store and put up partitions for safety and privacy. To make it even more special, we added a reclining massage chair for our patients.” Kempson Rexall Drugs fills about 125 prescriptions a day, but Marianne had a plan to promote her business, grow her patient base, and go into the community to help. “I started cold calling businesses and churches,” she said. “Most of these businesses already had health clinics scheduled for the fall. But we did find one company that had nothing set up for employees. It’s a decent-sized business with about 150 employees. We knew a few of the employees from the store, but we were able to connect with new residents who brought their business to us.” Marianne told us she likes to support local businesses, and quickly discovered others do, too. As an incentive, the pharmacy offered a free milkshake to customers who transferred their prescriptions from big chains. Yes, Kempson Rexall Drugs still has an old-fashioned drugstore soda fountain. Would you expect anything less from a pharmacy that sits on Main Street in a quaint, small town? The flu clinic for the local business offered the independent pharmacy several wins. First, they were able to bill the patient’s insurance for the vaccination. Second, the company covered the administrative costs on a per vaccination basis. “And we offer more than flu vaccinations,” Marianne added. “We can also administer shingles and pneumonia shots.” Using the state’s immunization reporting database lets the pharmacy check patient records. The staff can then reach out to the patients to let them know what vaccinations are due and offer the service at the pharmacy. Marianne said she’s already started lining up health clinics going into the fall of 2021 with other companies and churches, which will only enhance the business and exposure for the pharmacy. She also had this advice for community pharmacies not already offering vaccinations. “I would say go for it. Now!” Marianne said. “We waited too long because at the time it was the unknown. It’s been great for us. It has increased our sales and our customers have really been appreciative because they don’t have to go somewhere else. They can get the vaccinations when they pick up their prescriptions.” Kempson Rexall Drugs leveraged the RedSail Advantage ™ program to begin their immunization program. This resource offers solutions to help community pharmacies start and even expand the clinical services they can provide to patients. And in the long run, it offers more value and care to patients. Learn more at redsailadvantage.com .