How to Promote Adoption of your Compliance Packaging Solution through Strategic Patient Engagement
Compliance packaging offers countless benefits to your pharmacy and your patients, but sometimes convincing your lowest adherent patients to adopt your compliance packaging solution can come with challenges.
Maybe your patient doesn’t know you offer the service, or they don’t understand the benefits. Or maybe they do not want to feel like they are failing and need help. Regardless of why they need the service, it is important to approach the patient in an empathetic manner that focuses on the convenience you can provide rather than pointing out any previous mismanagement of medications.
Here are 5 key steps to encourage adoption of your compliance packaging solution through strategic patient engagement:
Promote
Before you speak with your patients, they should already be aware of the service you provide. Your offering should be prominently displayed throughout the store. By the time you speak with them, they should have some interest and a general understanding of the service you are offering. If you are looking for resources to promote your compliance package inside your pharmacy, Medicine-On-Time can help.
Keep it Simple
When creating your promotional materials and engaging patients, make sure to keep your message simple. As a pharmacy professional, terms such as compliance packaging, medication adherence, and medication synchronization are like second nature. These terms may not make sense to the patient, moreover, it may make them feel less at ease with trying it out. Instead, use terms like medication sorting or organizing, tell them you can align all refills to be picked up at one visit.
Engage
The approach for engaging a patient will vary depending on their situation. In some cases, a pharmacist consultation may be required in order to identify the barriers to adherence before offering a solution. In many cases, a simple approach is best. “I noticed you are filling 4 medications with us. Did you know that we can organize them for you by day and time to be taken? You can pick up all of your pre-sorted medications with one easy visit”. If you offer the service for free and if you include delivery or a drive-up window, be sure to let them know.
Inform
Be sure to provide the information they need to make an informed decision. You can use a sample of the package to demonstrate how easy it is to use. Always keep a sample at the front counter along with a flyer or brochure that explains the compliance packaging solution and its benefits. Make sure you explain how to start the program and what your pharmacy will do to make it easy and convenient for them. Ask them if they have any questions and finish by asking if they would like to get started. If they do not make up their mind before leaving the pharmacy, make a note on their patient profile to call them prior to their next visit to see if they have any further questions or would like to go ahead and start the program.
Consider a Customer Program
One approach that has been shown to increase the adoption of compliance packaging is bundling other services. Do you offer delivery? Digital Reminders? Medication Therapy Management or other clinical services? Create and brand a customer program that offers convenience and added benefits. As a member of the program, your patient will take advantage of your services. To them, it is like any other membership service where they present their membership card and receive the benefits of being a loyal customer.
Final Thoughts:
Patients who are on compliance packaging bring more business to your pharmacy. When they take their medications as directed, they will pick up their medications on time. More refills means more revenue, and more opportunity for front end pharmacy sales and other services. Your patients will become lifetime customers and will tell their friends and family. Scheduling patient cycles also gives your pharmacy more control over staff hours and time. The benefits to your staff and your patients are immeasurable.
If you have any questions or would like further information about how to increase your success with compliance packaging, please contact us at info@medicineontime.com.