Now in its ninth year, the annual J.D. Power U.S. Pharmacy Study gives us rich insights into the minds of American pharmacy customers, helping us to discern emerging trends, behavioral changes and shifting attitudes that will sculpt the industry in the years to come. This year’s study surveyed 17,326 customers who filled prescriptions over a 3-month period earlier this year.

All across the country, kids are reconnecting with their friends at school and sharing stories of their fun-filled summer adventures. They’re also sharing another thing...germs. Back to School unfortunately also means Back to Sick for our nation’s children. There's no avoiding it. And as one of your communities most trusted healthcare resources, you’ll be front and center with parents as they deal with those inevitable ear infections, throat infections, colds, and the flu. So get ready. Here's how:

Among the many unique benefits that the proliferation of connected technology has brought us in the new Digital Age, perhaps the most distinct has been the increased awareness of the modern consumer. With the greatest wealth of information in history at our fingertips, and a more competitive global economy, individuals today can afford to be selective in choosing the businesses they will patronize. 

This article originally appeared in the June 2017 issue of America’s Pharmacist, published by the National Community Pharmacists Association, Alexandria, Va. Reprinted with permission.

Looking for a simple and effective way to grow sales in your pharmacy? Consider promoting medication flavoring. It just might boost both your profits and improve word-of-mouth recommendations from happy patients.

Recently I spoke with five successful pharmacy managers who make it a point to offer medication flavoring. And, while four of them charge for the service, none of them say the modest fee is the reason they promote flavoring. So why do these innovative pharmacists give customers the option to choose the taste of their liquid medicines?

Patient empowerment.

That seems to be the buzzword in health and wellness these days. We’ve been using it as it relates to medicine flavoring for the past few years.

Last fall, I saw John McNeil (President of Global Sales and Services for Tesla) speak at a marketing conference. He spoke about selling without selling, a  fascinating concept that can be adopted by many pharmacists who don’t want to be perceived as sales people, but would rather be thought of as problem solvers.