In the wake of the news about medication showing up in our water supply (click on ABC News story, "Drugs in the Water: Reason to Worry"), it occurred to us that this is only half the story. While ABC News brings a very valid point to the forefront, what about outdated medicines that people flush down the commode? Certainly those medicines are showing up in the water supply as well.
Attention Pharmacy Owners or anyone wanting to market their pharmacy business, this is an opportunity for you. You can provide a valuable service to your community and get free publicity if you focus on this "HOT TOPIC".
Here are some MARKETING suggestions to get you started:
- Educate your community on the benefits of letting a local community pharmacy dispose of outdated medicines. You can easily do this by contacting your local newspaper and/or tv station to follow up on this “Hot Story”.
- Invite your community (encourage non-customers to come too) to bring all of their outdated medicines to your pharmacy. Since they will be coming to your store to drop off their outdated medicines, the chances of them buying something in your pharmacy increases tremendously.
- Offer a Discount (10-20%) to anyone who brings in their outdated medicine
- Get your local schools involved – Educate the schools and have the children spread the word for you. Run a contest between the schools. Every time someone comes in with their outdated medicines, they can tell you what school sent them in. The school that sends you the most referrals wins a special prize. Talk to your local retail stores and see if someone will partner up with you. Certainly there is a business in your community that would join you in your efforts to help the environment. They would also be receiving free advertisement from partnering up with you. Some ideas for the “Special Prize” - give the Winning School a Pizza Party, Tickets to the Movies, Free Bowling, a Computer for the School, etc. Be creative on the prize or prizes.
- Talk to your local water department. They might want to join you in any of the above ideas.
What other creative ways can you market your pharmacy in regards to Medicine in our Water Supply? We would love to hear from you. Post your thoughts on the KYPO Blog.
