Making Lemonade Out of Lemons: A Win-Win for Patients and Pharmacies Dispensing GLP-1s
With the high demand in GLP-1 medications, pharmacists are now living in an unprecedented time of filling prescriptions for high-cost brand-name drugs.
With the growing popularity of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) medications for weight loss, pharmacies are being inundated with new prescriptions from current customers and constant calls from potential customers. Pharmacies dispensing GLP-1s face significant risks dispensing these medications due to the high cost of these branded drugs. Negative reimbursement and cash flow issues have led many independent pharmacies to refer their customers elsewhere, hoping to retain other aspects of their business.
But with the growing popularity of GLP-1s, there are strategies to mitigate economic risks while positioning your pharmacy as a holistic health and wellness destination. By proactively counseling on the adverse effects and results of GLP-1s, pharmacies can offset reimbursement losses and even turn a profit while helping customers manage the discomforts and risks associated with these medications.
With the growing popularity of GLP-1s, there are strategies to mitigate economic risks while positioning your pharmacy as a holistic health and wellness destination. | image credit: TheWaterMeloonProjec / stock.adobe.com
Addressing Adverse Effects to Improve Patient Outcomes
Instead of letting other retailers with less education and less experience profit from selling supplements to manage the adverse effects of the drugs you dispense at a loss, consider offering a comprehensive companion GLP-1 package. This package addresses common issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) problems, nutritient depletion, and dehydration caused by GLP-1 regimens. By doing so, you create a margin-positive customer base and achieve better long-term results for your patients.
Common adverse effects of GLP-1s include GI issues such as constipation, diarrhea, and nausea. Reduced caloric intake can lead to muscle loss due to decreased protein consumption. Additionally, nutritient absorption and depletion can impact the gut microbiome and the quality of hair and nails. Recommending a companion regimen can alleviate these discomforts and enhance your bottom line.
Possible products to include in companion GLP-1 package
Proactively counseling patients about the adverse effects of GLP-1s and recommending these companion products can transform risk into revenue.
Best Practices for Implementation
To effectively implement this strategy, consider developing a GLP-1 companion package or an end cap featuring this assortment. Engage in proactive conversations with patients at the time of dispense, using tools such as bag stuffers or workflow reminders in your pharmacy management system to ensure every patient receives information about adverse effects.
By proactively counseling patients on adverse effects and treatment at the time of dispensing, you can secure the sale of these supplementary items while enhancing patient experience and protecting their well-being. This approach not only supports your patients but also strengthens your pharmacy’s financial health.
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