It’s summertime: Temperatures are rising, and so are opportunities to boost your pharmacy’s front end.
As patients get ready for beach trips, bike rides, and summer travel plans, they’ll need to stock up on summer essentials — and what better place to get them than your independent pharmacy?
A robust front-end not only makes your pharmacy more marketable, but it can be a great way to supplement your income with OTC items and mitigate pesky DIR fees.
As an added bonus, it can give you the opportunity to introduce other valuable clinical services to patients. There’s no better way to stand out.
So as your pharmacy looks to beat the heat (and the competition) this summer, here are 8 summer essentials you should consider adding to your pharmacy’s front end.
1. Sunscreen
It’s the #1 essential for any outdoor activity, and your patients are looking to stock up.
Add a selection of sunscreens to keep patients safe from the sun’s rays. You can offer anything from lotions to sprays to kid-friendly formulas (as long as it’s SPF 30 and above).
Consider displaying a pharmacist's favorite sunscreen to market to your patients.
Clinically-recommended formulas include:
- EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 40
- CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30
- Blue Lizard Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50+
- Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 30
2. Sunburn Treatments
Even as your patients practice sun safety, they may still find themselves with a sunburn. Make sure you’re prepared by keeping sunburn treatments at your front-end.
You can stock up on a variety of items, from aloe vera to witch hazel to cold presses to bath treatments — or just all-in-one sunburn relief treatments.
Some of the most popular options include:
- Banana Boat Soothing Aloe After Sun Gel
- Cetaphil Soothing Gel Cream with Aloe
- Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Spray
- CeraVe Deep Hydration Moisturizing Cream
3. Insect Repellent
Outdoor time inevitably runs the risk of insect bites — but a quality insect repellent can keep the bugs at bay and prevent potentially dangerous diseases.
Mosquitoes, for instance, can spread diseases like the West Nile virus, and ticks can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
To prevent this, consider adding a shelf of insect repellent sprays, lotions, and wipes in your pharmacy.
Active ingredients like DEET, picaridin, and citronella can give your patients protection from insects and mitigate the effects of insect-borne illnesses.
Popular insect repellents include:
- Ben's Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes
- 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent8
- Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Pump
- Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent Pump
4. Hydration Supplements
After a long day outside, hydration is key. Men need 125 ounces and women need 91 ounces of water per day to stay hydrated — and in rising temperatures, that number only increases.
To help your patients rehydrate, stock up on supplements. Hydration supplements include key electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which help the body regenerate.
Hydration supplements can come in liquid or dissolvable powder form. Popular options include:
- LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolyte Drink Mix
- Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier
- Thorne Catalyte Flavored Electrolytes
- Transparent Labs Hydrate Electrolyte Formula
5. Cooling Products
When the weather warms up, help your patients cool down.
Cooling products can include everything from gel packs to cooling sprays and towels. A quick burst of coolness can provide relief from the temps and help maintain body temperature.
Popular products include:
- Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Spray
- Village Naturals Therapy Wellness Hydrate & Cool Body Spray
- ULINE Cooling Towels
- ULINE Gel Freezer Packs
6. First Aid Kits
Even with the right precautions, accidents happen.
Help your patients stay prepared by keeping a selection of first aid kits on hand.
You can sell pre-assembled kits, or you can encourage patients to create their own with a variety of products you have on hand.
Items to display might include:
- Bandages/gauze
- Self-adherent wraps
- Antiseptic wipes
- Tweezers/scissors
- Thermometer
- Common medications
7. Antibiotic Ointment
During the summer, skinned elbows and scraped knees are all too common; so when you’re adding on to your first aid offerings, don’t skip out on antibiotic ointment.
A good display can help patients stay prepared for all of the outdoor adventures to come.
Popular antibiotic ointments include:
8. Travel-Sized Products
Travel-sized products are essential for any summer vacation.
Keep a selection of travel-sized products on hand like sunscreen, hand sanitizer, lotions, and soaps.
Patients can grab what they need and easily slip them into luggage, backpacks, and carry-on bags — helping them stay protected without sacrificing space or weight.
Conclusion
As patients prepare for summer vacations, outdoor adventures, and extra leisure time, they’re looking to your independent pharmacy to get all the essentials.
Stock up on summer-must haves, spend some time creating displays, use marketing techniques, and find opportunities to offer other services to patients.
A good front-end, stocked with high-quality OTC items, will keep patients coming back to your pharmacy — long after the summer ends.
