As the healthcare landscape shifts toward greater convenience and preventive care, independent pharmacies like yours have an opportunity to play an even larger role in your community. In-pharmacy testing is helping make that possible, enabling pharmacies to deliver fast, accessible health screenings while creating new pathways for patient engagement, clinical care, and business growth.
If you’re looking to expand revenue streams, strengthen patient relationships, and broaden clinical services, in-pharmacy testing offers a compelling business case. These convenient, accessible services can help position your pharmacy as a frontline healthcare destination while meeting growing consumer demand for quick answers and timely care. In addition to generating new revenue opportunities, testing can increase prescription capture, support patient retention, and create meaningful touchpoints that deepen trust and engagement.
Today, consumers increasingly expect healthcare to be available where and when they need it. And your pharmacy has become a trusted community healthcare destination, particularly in rural and underserved areas where access to primary care providers may be limited. By offering convenient testing services, your pharmacy can help bridge healthcare gaps while also creating new opportunities for growth.
Point-of-care testing can include screenings for:
- Strep throat
- Influenza
- COVID-19
- Blood glucose levels
- A1C
- Cholesterol
- Lipid panels
- Urinary tract infections and other common conditions
Many pharmacies are also exploring testing related to respiratory illnesses and chronic disease management.
From a financial perspective, testing services can generate revenue both directly and indirectly. Pharmacies like yours are compensated for administering tests and, in many states, can provide follow-up treatment through collaborative practice agreements or test-to-treat programs. This creates a seamless patient experience while opening additional service opportunities.
Testing also drives prescription volume. A patient who tests positive for influenza or strep throat may receive a prescribed treatment that can be filled immediately at the pharmacy. Similarly, screenings for chronic disease often identify patients who need ongoing medication therapy, monitoring, and counseling services.
Your pharmacy has another significant advantage: trust. Patients often know their pharmacists personally and are comfortable discussing their health concerns. With in-pharmacy testing, you can also support broader patient care initiatives. A cholesterol screening may reveal cardiovascular risk factors. An elevated A1C result can lead to diabetes management conversations. These interactions create opportunities for medication reviews, immunizations, nutrition counseling, and chronic care programs.
Operationally, testing services are often easier to implement than many pharmacy owners expect. Most point-of-care tests require limited space, minimal equipment, and relatively short staff training periods. Pharmacies that already provide immunizations often have many of the workflows and patient engagement processes needed for a successful testing program.
Marketing these services can further strengthen your pharmacy’s community presence. Patients appreciate healthcare solutions that eliminate the need for multiple appointments and long wait times. Promoting testing through social media, local events, physician outreach, and in-store signage can increase awareness and utilization.
The timing is also favorable. Consumers have become more familiar with diagnostic testing following the COVID-19 pandemic, and many now view pharmacies as a logical place to receive healthcare services. As reimbursement models increasingly reward preventive care and accessibility, pharmacies that establish testing programs today may be better positioned for future healthcare delivery trends.
Of course, successful implementation requires attention to regulatory requirements, staffing considerations, and reimbursement processes. Be sure to carefully review state regulations and obtain any certifications necessary to provide testing services. Developing standardized procedures and ensuring staff competency are essential components of maintaining high-quality care.
Despite these considerations, the potential return on investment can be substantial. In-pharmacy testing creates new revenue opportunities, strengthens patient loyalty, increases prescription capture, and reinforces the pharmacist’s role as an accessible healthcare provider.
If your independent pharmacy is seeking sustainable growth, in-pharmacy testing is more than just another service offering. It represents a strategic investment in the future of community pharmacy—one that delivers value for patients while supporting a stronger, more diversified business model.
More articles from the September 2026 issue:
- Market Segmentation
- GLP-1 Reimbursement
- Cody Drug
- Your New Front-End Minimalism
- Reinventing the Pharmacy Technician
- Creating a Comprehensive & Profitable Non-Flu Vaccine Program
- Quality Choice Private Label
- In-Pharmacy Testing
A Member-Owned Company Serving Independent Pharmacies
PBA Health is dedicated to helping independent pharmacies reach their full potential on the buy-side of their business. Founded and run by pharmacists, PBA Health serves independent pharmacies with group purchasing services, wholesaler contract negotiations, proprietary purchasing tools, and more.
An HDA member, PBA Health operates its own NABP-accredited warehouse with more than 6,000 SKUs, including brands, generics, narcotics CII-CV, cold-storage products, and over-the-counter (OTC) products — offering the lowest prices in the secondary market.
