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National Pharmacist Day occurs every January to honor and recognize all the hardworking pharmacists across the country, this year take the time to say thank you to them.
Pharmacists play an important role in the healthcare system. Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t only responsible for counting pills, filling prescriptions, or measuring out medicines. They also:
- Provide advice
- Help patients navigate illnesses
- Even guide people in achieving better overall wellness every single day
Should You Celebrate National Pharmacist Day?
With all the hard work that your local pharmacists put in to keep you, your family, and your community healthy, you should absolutely celebrate!
What better time to thank your neighborhood pharmacist for this valuable service than January, the month in which National Pharmacist Day occurs? If you agree, here’s a few ways to say “thanks” and celebrate their contribution to your health.
1. Just Say Thanks
Never underestimate the power of a simple “thank you!” This alone can brighten up a pharmacist’s day significantly. Pair it with a smile and you have an incredible opportunity to make their day – plus, it’s totally free.
Want to step your thanks up a little bit? Try pointing out something specific they did that really made you pleased. “I really appreciated the extra time you took to explain how to use my medication” is great positive feedback and shows them how much you appreciate their willingness to go over and above.
2. Express Your Gratitude in Written Word
Sometimes, a simple verbal thanks doesn’t feel like enough to show your gratitude for everything your pharmacist does for you. If you have a pharmacy team member who consistently goes out of their way to help you achieve wellness, and you want to highlight all of their incredible contributions, writing a thank you letter may be a better option. This will allow you to really list out everything you appreciate at once.
You have a few options for how you send your letter. If you can’t get to a post office and/or don’t want to drop by, consider sending an email. But sending snail mail can actually be preferable here, mostly because it gives the pharmacist a tangible example of your gratitude. A card is also nice, if you feel so inclined.
3. Speak to The Manager
In most cases, asking to speak to a manager conjures feelings of dread because it’s associated with complaints. But going “above” doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing; in fact, it’s a very good way to ensure that whoever is responsible for managing your pharmacist knows just how valuable and effective they really are. You might:
- Tell the pharmacy team lead how much you appreciate a pharmacist’s advice and attention. Be sure to outline exactly how they helped you and why it made such a difference. Nearly everyone loves to hear staff are doing well.
- Speak to the pharmacy owner and/or the regional manager to share the same information. Your praise might even help the pharmacist get promoted, receive a reward, or even land a big raise!
- Write to the organization responsible for licensing the pharmacist (the California State Board of Pharmacy). Praise will often be entered onto the pharmacist’s official record, which can also help with raises, promotions, and future employment opportunities.
A simple telephone call or letter takes just a few minutes of your time. Yet, it can have such a positive impact on both your pharmacist and the pharmacy itself!
4. Share Your Gratitude With The World
In today’s world, a positive review can have a big impact – even on local businesses like pharmacies. It’s worth it to share your gratitude with more than just the pharmacy itself. Something as simple as a little share on Facebook can go a long way.
Start by telling friends and family members how much the pharmacy helped you and why you love them so much. “Putting out a good word” may encourage people to visit the pharmacy, garnering them new clients and new business, too.
This National Pharmacist Day, write a positive review online, either on your own positive social media wall or on the pharmacy’s business page. In fact, this is often one of the best ways to help get them into the spotlight. This is especially impactful if you know the pharmacy sells products online and/or handles mail out prescriptions.
5. Fill Out Feedback Requests
Does your pharmacy have “how did we do?” surveys available? Perhaps they’ve called you to ask for your feedback. Whenever possible, fill these out and/or give your opinion – and include the pharmacist’s name, too. These surveys are often used to identify strong performers as well as gaps in service.
Someone on the other end (maybe even the pharmacist who helped you) is reviewing them, and will almost certainly appreciate your contribution of time and effort.
6. Donate Time or Money in the Pharmacy’s Name
For many reasons, pharmacies do not typically allow team members to accept donations (it’s a conflict of interest and ethically questionable). But that doesn’t mean that you can’t contribute money or time at all.
One alternative is to donate to a charity or non-profit organization in the pharmacy’s name. Try to pick a charity that makes sense – maybe a non-profit they already fundraise for in-store or a medical charity providing free medicine to disenfranchised communities. Some pharmacies maintain in-house charity funds for similar reasons.
7. Stay Loyal and Be a Good Patient
The best gift you can ever give your pharmacy is your business as a “good patient”. Not only does this reward the business with money, but it also makes it easier for the pharmacy team to do their job correctly, too.
What exactly does “good patient” mean?
- Be open, honest, and communicative – tell the pharmacy if you have an issue or concern, and give them time to respond.
- Be patient if they’re busy or wait times are long. Remember that their job is to be thorough, and quality services take time.
Loyalty to a single pharmacy can also help you, too. It lets the team get to know you and develop a file outlining your full health picture. This, in turn, empowers the pharmacist to provide you with services better tailored to your needs. In fact, there’s proof that working closely with your pharmacist might even help prevent medication mishaps, including dosing errors and allergic reactions.
Conclusion
Your pharmacist works hard to help you achieve better wellness – why not remind them how much you appreciate them? Give a call or send a letter today and celebrate National Pharmacist Day 2020 in a big way. And remember, no matter what issue you have, they’re always just a call away.
