- Jan 25, 2022
Even with a 2% decline in the job outlook of the pharmaceutical department, this career is still a highly paid one. However, Statista reported a whopping increase of pharmacists from 224,000 in 2001 to 315,000 in 2020.
Did you know that the 2020 revenue from the largest pharma in the US was $115 billion?
Indeed, pharmacists have played an important role during the COVID 19 shocks going around in the medical sector. Therefore, it alludes to the consistent popularity and demand for this role.
What if you could market directly to these pharmacists?
Ideally, before marketing to pharmacists, you need to tailor your strategies accordingly. Want to know more about the importance of marketing to a pharmaceutical practice? Read on to find out!
An Insight into Pharmacists
The department of pharmacy has been on a constant rollercoaster ride. However, marketing to pharmacists has been a grey area. Pharmacists work as healthcare professionals who have innate knowledge about medicinal usage and storage.
They specialize in medication and its adverse effects. Moreover, they are licensed to fill prescriptions based on a doctor’s advice.
Indeed, they were not allowed to diagnose or offer drugs based on symptoms.
Even then, this evolving department grew from a product-centric to a patient and outcomes-oriented profession. Therefore, in today’s era, you will find pharmacists working hard towards offering the best solution to patients.
With an estimate of 387,000 licensed pharmacists, their authority might enhance your medical business.
The in-depth knowledge of pharmacists about new drugs in the market leads to optimal patient care. Therefore, if you have developed something along these lines, you can easily market it to pharmacists.
There is a difference between pharmaceutical companies and stand-alone pharmacists. However, both have the same objectives:
- Providing therapeutic care
- Offering best health outcomes
- Achieving a strategic patient influx
Even then, the burden of the pandemic has led to changes in the profession. The physician shortage is giving rise to the new-age prescriptive authority of pharmacists. Hence, it is the best time for marketing to pharmacists who are well-versed and informed about new-age medicine.
What is Prescriptive Authority?
According to a 2020 AAMC report, there will be a physician shortage by 2025. Due to this, there will be a negative impact on numerous patients. Furthermore, the Government is working tirelessly to meet the demands.
One department that benefited from this was pharmacies. How?
People went to the next best thing – pharmacists! They started to rely on their help since these professionals were the closest they had to healthcare. Furthermore, their accessibility and underutilized knowledge became a relief for thousands of people.
Based on these demands, many State Governments are allowing this notion to prevail. Therefore, giving pharmacists a prescriptive authority.
It means that some states have allowed them to prescribe, adjust and administer medications. They also have the right to perform lab tests and offer drug therapy. However, the most recent change was the administration of vaccines by physicians.
Even then, the Government remained vigilant and invoked the requirement for allowance.
Do you now see why marketing to pharmacists is a good idea?
Marketing to Pharmacists – Why is it a Good Idea?
Did you know that marketers helped vaccinate the world? Similarly, what if you have created something that could help with this initiative?
It is where marketing to pharmacists comes in! So, what do you think marketing to pharmacists is all about?
- Balance of research and development
- A mix of valued studies and results
- Intricate strategizing
- Ethical promotion
- Sales skills
- Customer relations
If your marketing pitch adheres to these categories, then any pharmacist will be intrigued. But the question is, why is marketing to pharmacists a good idea?
First off, any pharmacist will have expert knowledge in medication. In addition, their job dictates them to understand everything about the drugs getting dispensed. Their need to remain informed and receiving the latest information will drive them towards keen interest.
For example, if you are a pharmaceutical manufacturer, you can intrigue them by informing them about your new products.
Secondly, every patient will blindly trust their pharmacists. Besides, you might be surprised to know that physicians also trust them.
You can harness this trusted relationship and market your products in a positive atmosphere.
Whom do you think patients visit the most? Pharmacists get frequented more than 12 times! Therefore, your target audience will be easily in their vicinity.
Due to this, physicians can facilitate:
- Monitoring the adherence
- Recognizing the interactions
- Identifying errors in medication
If you start marketing to pharmacists, you can harness that trust and bring in huge ROI for your business. For example, if you convince a pharmacist, they can make recommendations for your products, and the prescribers might accept it.
Indeed, the job of a pharmacist is extremely powerful!
How to Market to Pharmacists? – The Right Way
There are many strategies that you can utilize to build positive relationships with pharmacists. However, it would help if you emphasized understanding the demand and harnessing your marketing skills based on:
- Educational support – Blogs or how-to videos.
- Adherence helpers – Apps for medication reminders.
- Financial support – Coupons or free samples.
- Pharmaceutical help – Testing of new drugs.
You can figure out the problem in the market, develop a solution, and market those solutions to pharmacists. However, you need to understand:
- Pharmacist’s influence, assistance, and accessibility
- Dimensions of pharmaceutical care in enhancing the quality of life
- Pharmacist communication based on effective marketing strategies
- Adherence to positive revenue generation
- Ethical guidelines
Summing Up
According to Napoleon Bonaparte, “Water, air, and cleanliness are the chief articles in my pharmacy.” It means that pharmacies are transparent and offer optimal care to the patients!
Similarly, marketing to pharmacists through ethical and effective marketing strategies will give your brand authority. Due to the physician shortage using these initiatives helps you in the long run. However, your products need to be patient-centric and beneficial.
These healthcare providers have prescriptive authority and are likely to offer the best route to your business’s success.
Are you ready to harness the unequaled services a pharmacist provides to market your medical business?
