Once you’ve implemented a medication synchronization program at your pharmacy, your next challenge is getting patients to take part.
A 2014 survey conducted by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) found that three out of four people who have trouble managing their prescriptions are not enrolled in a medication synchronization program. The same survey found that 40 percent of patients were unaware of synchronization programs, but after an explanation, 50 percent were interested in joining.
Get your patients to sign up for your program by highlighting the benefits of synchronization. Check out these ideas to promote your pharmacy’s synchronization program and start growing your program’s enrollment.
Educate your patients
Synchronizing medication is a beneficial program for patients, and simply letting them know that you offer the service is a great promotional tool. Create a script for your pharmacy staff to help them explain your program to patients. This ensures that your whole staff is equipped with the information needed to educate patients about the program. Also, make a supporting flyer that explains the program to share with your patients and put in their prescription bags.
Connect socially
One of the benefits of synchronizing medication is that it saves your patients time. Promote your service with a social media campaign that asks your patients to post what they’ll do with the time they saved by synchronizing their medication pick-up dates. Use a hashtag to connect the campaign. You can also refer people to the hashtag, so they can see the benefits others are enjoying after synchronizing their medications.
Coordinate your promotional material
Create coordinating promotional material, like magnets and calendars. If you hand out calendars, for example, you can circle the date on the calendar when the patient should return to pick up his or her medications. Coordinating materials and programs is a great way to extend your branding.
Use numbers and narratives
Different people respond to different types of information. Some respond to empirical evidence, like statistics, that demonstrate how the program will help them. For example, NCPA found that 74 percent of patients enrolled in synchronization programs found synchronization helpful in improving their overall adherence. You could share this statistic with your patients.
Other people respond to narratives or anecdotes, like stories about how a synchronization program allows people to come in only once a month, and as a result, they can spend more time at home with their family instead of running to the pharmacy every week. Use both methods in your promotional efforts to appeal to the different kinds of patients.
