The Pharmacy Show 2023

The Pharmacy Show 2023, is the most important show of its kind. The show presents an unparalleled opportunity for professionals in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors to connect, learn and share advances in both technology and pharmacy practice. As the countdown begins for this groundbreaking annual event, let’s delve into why you should be a part of The Pharmacy Show 2023, how our team at Pharmacy Mentor can help you experience the show to the fullest and the multitude of benefits the show can offer you.

Why Should You Be Going to The Pharmacy Show 2023?

Cutting-edge Insights

The Pharmacy Show is renowned for its ability to curate a platform that brings together the brightest minds, industry leaders, and innovators. Attending the show means gaining access to the most up-to-date information on pharmaceuticals, healthcare technology, patient care, and more. Whether you’re a pharmacist, a healthcare professional, or a researcher, these insights are invaluable in enhancing your knowledge base and decision-making.

Networking Opportunities

The Pharmacy Show acts as a magnet for professionals from diverse sectors of the healthcare industry. This is a unique chance to expand your professional network and foster connections that can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities that extend far beyond the show itself.

Exposure to Innovation

Innovation is the driving force behind our industry. The Pharmacy Show 2023 promises to showcase the latest technological advancements, groundbreaking research, and innovative solutions that are transforming patient care, medicine management and pharmacy marketing. By attending, you’ll be at the forefront of these innovations, gaining insights that can help your organisation remain competitive and agile in our ever-changing industry.

Talks by Industry Leaders

The show offers a myriad of educational sessions, workshops, and seminars conducted by experts who are trailblazers in their respective fields. These sessions can contribute to your professional development, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the challenges of the modern healthcare landscape. This year, our CEO and Founder, Saam Ali, is going to be presenting at the show and will be showing you how to make £10,000’s per month from your pharmacy services.

Pharmacy Mentor at the Pharmacy Show 2023

As the highly anticipated event draws near, we are pleased to announce that our team of experts will be there to speak to and advise you on your pharmacy marketing needs. With a distinguished track record of nurturing numerous pharmacy businesses and teams, our team at Pharmacy Mentor brings forth its extensive wealth of experience, insights, and individualised guidance to this occasion. Covering an array of vital domains, from strategic marketing to business development plans and technological advancements, our team of experts will be readily available to engage with you throughout the event. Our aim is to provide tailored advice to empower community pharmacies throughout the United Kingdom. 

See you at The Pharmacy Show 2023

The Pharmacy Show 2023 is not just a routine industry event; it’s a gateway to a wide variety of opportunities and insights that can shape the trajectory of your career and your pharmacy’s success. From staying updated with the latest innovations to forging meaningful connections, the benefits of attending this show are multifold. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, being a part of this pivotal event can position you at the forefront of change and advancement. Mark your calendar and make sure not to miss out on this transformative experience. Your journey towards a brighter, more informed future in healthcare begins at The Pharmacy Show 2023. Find us here.

The PM Academy

The PM Academy – The Exclusive Support Network

In the ever-challenging and evolving world of pharmacy, staying ahead of the curve is not just an option; it’s a necessity for success. As the funding continues to be cut and the landscape of community pharmacy continues to change, it’s only fitting that the industry embraces digital marketing and the transformational potential that it can provide. The PM Academy is a community built specifically for Pharmacy Owners and their teams, designed to unlock the true potential of their businesses through the power of digital marketing channels, development and technology.

JOIN NOW

Our Vision

At the heart of The PM Academy lies a vision that our entire team believes in — to “improve access to healthcare through pharmacies.” And we’re on a mission to help 1000’s of pharmacies to improve their digital ecosystems, which can allow that to happen. The PM Academy network represents a bold step towards harnessing digital tools to drive progress in the healthcare industry.

 

The Power of Community

“Together, we achieve more.” The PM Academy offers pharmacy owners and their teams a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals from the United Kingdom, USA, Australia and Canada. Imagine being part of a thriving network of pharmacy owners, all striving towards common goals, sharing ideas, and supporting each other’s growth journey. Our community makes the path to success smoother and more fulfilling.

 

 

Expertise Unleashed

Digital marketing can be complex, especially with the rapid development of the digital industry. Without the right guidance, even the most promising businesses can get lost in the chaos. But fear not, for The PM Academy is fuelled by a powerhouse of digital marketing experts, each a master of their field. Our team is armed with a wealth of knowledge and experience, ready to impart invaluable insights and strategies to elevate your pharmacy’s digital presence.

 

Resources that Empower

Access to the right resources can make or break a business. Our Academy team understands this well and offers a wide range of resources. From step-by-step guides on optimising social media marketing to in-depth tutorials on creating engaging content, the resources available in The PM Academy cater to all your digital marketing needs. We’re continuously adding in new resources to the Academy for you to benefit from.

 

The PM Academy Support

Having a support system to lean on can make all the difference, especially when you are learning about new ways to enhance your business. Our team prides itself on providing on-demand support, ensuring you never feel alone in your pursuit of success. Whether you need advice during a marketing campaign or want to discuss ideas with experts, the support team at Pharmacy Mentor has got your back.

 

the pm academy

 

The Heart of Healthcare

Behind The PM Academy lies a powerful purpose—to increase access to healthcare through pharmacies. As trusted pillars of their communities, we know that our pharmacies play a vital role in providing essential healthcare services to people both in their communities and those visiting too. By helping pharmacy owners thrive and reach their communities digitally, The PM Academy indirectly contributes to the overall well-being and health of millions of individuals. It’s a mission that goes beyond just business growth; it’s a mission that impacts lives.

 

The Future is Here

It’s time for pharmacy owners and their teams to embrace the future. The digital age offers unprecedented opportunities for growth, and our Academy stands tall as the bridge that connects ambition to achievement. In this exclusive community, concerns are addressed, businesses flourish, and the vision of a healthier communities takes shape.

 

Join The PM Academy

So, are you ready to embark on a journey of transformation? Step into The PM Academy and unlock the true potential of your pharmacy business. Embrace the power of digital marketing, harness the strength of a national and global community, and become a part of a movement that shapes the future of healthcare—one thriving pharmacy at a time. The time for growth is now, and the stage is set for you to shine.

JOIN NOW

Top 10 Local Partners for Pharmacies
Community pharmacies play a vital role in providing healthcare services to local communities. By enhancing your offerings and providing a holistic healthcare experience, partnering with local businesses and organisations can be game-changing.

Partnerships not only help you as a pharmacy expand your services and products, but creates a lot of goodwill within the business community. In this article, we explore the top 10 Community Pharmacy Partners. These partnerships can boost patient engagement, increase clinic bookings, and strengthen commercial relationships.

Can you do all these overnight? No.

Will they be applicable to every Community Pharmacy? No.

Should you start building relationships today? Absolutely.

To reiterate, it’s super important to build long-lasting, credible relationships with the businesses and institutions around you. Schedule one day a month out of the pharmacy to go out and meet some of them face-to-face. Take them some leaflets or chocolates, and charm them while you explain what services you can offer them.

Don’t have time? Send them your dispenser or ACT. Don’t ignore it and push it to the back of the agenda. Because building relationships is part of building a strong, long-lasting business.

Not a client of our but need some more advice? Join The PM Academy and ask in there!

1. Fitness Centres and Gyms

Partnering with fitness centres and gyms can promote a holistic approach to health and wellness. Community pharmacies can offer health screenings, nutritional consultations, and even exercise classes to encourage healthy lifestyles amongst their customers.

2. Care Homes and Retirement Communities

Pharmacies can build strong relationships with care homes and retirement communities to cater to the unique needs of older adults. Services such as medication management, health education workshops, and home delivery options can enhance the well-being of this population.

3. Schools and Colleges

I can think of multiple successful examples of pharmacies partnering with multiple educational facilities, whether that’s schools, colleges or universities. Specialised event days for students conducting health screenings, providing immunisations, and offering educational sessions on topics such as safe sex, mental health awareness and basic first aid are great ways to build a relationship and awareness of you as a healthcare institution.

4. Third Sector Organisations

Partnering with local charities and foundations creates opportunities for community outreach programs. Pharmacies can provide medication counselling to underserved populations, and contribute to community wellness initiatives.

5. Local Businesses and Employers

I don’t know who’s on your individual high streets. But you do. There’ll undoubtedly be some that make more sense than others. But these lead to opportunities you wouldn’t ordinarily see in a day-to-day pharmacy. Pharmacies can offer on-site health screenings, flu vaccination drives, and educational workshops to promote a healthy workforce.

Looking to boost your reputation online and drive more business? Get in touch with us.

6. Voluntary Support Groups

Joining forces with voluntary support groups that focus on specific health conditions or patient communities improves patient support and engagement. Pharmacies offer specialised services, educational resources, and tailored support to individuals and families affected by those conditions.

7. Mental Health Clinics and Counsellors

Addressing mental health needs is crucial in community healthcare. Partnering with mental health clinics and counsellors enables pharmacies to outsource counselling services, mental health screenings, and referrals to specialised care. When referring to them, it’s more than likely you’ll receive referrals back the other way.

8. Local Support Groups

Collaborating with local support groups, such as those for chronic illnesses or specific conditions, enhances patient support and engagement. As a pharmacy you can even organise support group meetings and offer educational resources.

9. Dentists, GP’s and other Local Health Institutions

Collaborating with dentists allows you to expand your healthcare offerings. Referring people to the dentist for oral hygiene issues might be something you already do, and so picking up the phone to your local dental surgery and organising a more formal arrangement is a logical next step. Perhaps the partnership only extends to having a more streamlined referral process, but if that improves the patient experience, it’s you who’ll get the reputational benefit and word of mouth will spread about how a visit to the pharmacy was a great first port of call.

The same goes with your local GP surgeries, chiropractors, herbalist and the like.

10. Local Sports Clubs

Sport usually comes hand in hand with community. Be it the village cricket team, a youth football team, or a local tennis club, there’s usually an opportunity for a partnership with some sporting association in every community. Either through sponsorship, first aid kit donations, or a dedicated service and/or products for sports injuries, there’s an opportunity to explore how a partnership could work for you.

Even in a minimum returns scenario, supporting the local sports initiatives is good press for your local reputation.

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Setting Up a New Pharmacy - Digital Checklist
Whether you’re an aspiring pharmacist entrepreneur or an established pharmacy owner expanding your network, setting up a new pharmacy is no small feat. It involves more than securing a prime location and stocking up on medications. From modern tech integrations to maintaining a strong online presence, several digital elements need careful planning and execution. So, let’s delve into these key considerations that play an essential role in successfully setting up a new pharmacy in the digital age.
New Pharmacy Digital Setup Checklist

Leverage Technological Tools for Efficiency

Patient Medication Record (PMR) System

A PMR system is the heart of your pharmacy’s operation. It manages patient records, dispensing, and inventory control, streamlining workflow and enhancing patient care. In essence, a well-implemented PMR system is a catalyst for reducing errors and increasing efficiency.

Read this popular article to compare PMR Systems in the UK.

Pharmacy App and Website

In today’s digital and clinical age, a pharmacy’s online presence is nothing but paramount. An intuitive website acts as your business online, offering vital information about your location, services, and products. Your website is so much more than just information, however. It can be an incredible tool for growth, with a  plenty of interactive features like eCommerce, booking systems, virtual consultations and more.

If you’re an IP or you’re going to be offering PGDs, check out The UPW.

Moreover, a mobile app enhances customer convenience, enabling them to reorder/refill prescriptions, set medication reminders, and access health information on-the-go.

Automated Phone System and EPOS System

An automated phone system, like Google Voice, can manage multiple customer calls simultaneously, improving customer service. Moreover, an Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) system streamlines sales, inventory management, and financial reporting. These tools help your pharmacy team focus more on patient care and less on administrative tasks.

Drug Purchasing Solutions

In the busy world of pharmacy, drug purchasing software is a lifeline. It ensures timely inventory replenishment, prevents drug shortages, and identifies cost-saving opportunities. Essentially, it’s your secret weapon for efficient supply chain management.

Download the guide above and click on the links that our CEO has pointed out.

Harnessing Data for Performance Enhancement

PharmData

Performance tracking is key when setting up a new pharmacy. PharmData is like a household name in pharmacy now. It offers critical data insights, helping you analyse your pharmacy’s performance and guiding your strategy. Whether it’s dispensing volume or patient safety incidents, keeping track of these metrics helps to improve performance and maximise profitability.

Be sure to check the guide above for more analytics solutions.

Building out a Strong Online Presence

NHS Profile

Your NHS profile is vital for interacting with NHS services and patients. It’s essential to keep it updated with your pharmacy’s accurate details, including services provided, opening hours, and contact details. It ensures visibility to patients seeking services and helps maintain a positive relationship with the NHS.

It’s mandatory for you to set this up, and you can do so via this link.

Social Media and Online Listings

Social media and online listings, like Google Business, Yell.com and Facebook provide a platform to engage with customers, advertise services, and share health advice. Regular updates can boost visibility, customer engagement, and drive traffic to your website or physical pharmacy. These should not be overlooked as they are designed to generate business as you start up.

As always, we’re here to help you build out and optimise your profiles online. We work with 100’s of pharmacies across the UK and have advised 1000’s in all digital capacities. Be sure to get in touch with us when you’re setting up your new pharmacy, so we can help you create your perfect digital ecosystem.

 

 

The Travel Clinic. It’s an entity on it’s own and it’s truly an incredible opportunity for pharmacy. Not only for generating a new stream of revenue, but for helping their city access travel healthcare easier than ever before. Take a look at the blueprint we’ve created that explicitly tells you how to maximise this great service
Generate 100's of bookings per month for your Travel Clinic

In today’s digital age, attracting and retaining patients requires a robust digital ecosystem. For your Travel Clinic, it is by no means any different. This guide will steer your pharmacy business towards generating hundreds of bookings per month.

Implementing the strategies above can be a game-changer for your pharmacy, since the margins developed through this service are excellent. Even embedding only a few of the strategies that our CEO describes in the Blueprint should help increase bookings. You can find more insightful tips and tricks on his LinkedIn profile.

If you’re keen on implementing this ecosystem and taking your pharmacy to the next level, be sure to get in touch with us and book in for a consultation.

 

 

6 ChatGPT Pharmacy Hacks
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is revolutionising industries across the board, and the pharmacy sector is no exception. As AI technology continues to develop, tools like ChatGPT are emerging as catalysts for change in how pharmacies operate.
a list of pharmacist and chat GPT related jokes told on the ChatGPT platform: Why did the pharmacy owner hire ChatGPT instead of a new pharmacist? Because it doesn't require coffee breaks or vacations! How do you know when ChatGPT is working in a pharmacy? The shelves are always stocked, and there's never a line at the counter. Why did ChatGPT make the perfect pharmacy assistant? It had a "prescription" for success. What did the pharmacist say when ChatGPT correctly identified a drug interaction? "I guess we'll call it a 'pharmACEutical.'" Why was the pharmacist impressed with ChatGPT's knowledge of medications? Because it had access to the entire "data-scription" list! What do you call ChatGPT when it's integrated into a pharmacy's software? "The Digital Druggist." What did the pharmacist say when ChatGPT predicted the exact number of pill bottles needed for the month? "That's a tough pill to swallow!" Why did the pharmacist never have to worry about ChatGPT running late? It's always on "cloud nine" and ready to work! How do you know when ChatGPT is working at the pharmacy? The staff meetings are unusually quiet! Why did ChatGPT become the pharmacy's most popular employee? It always had the right "dose" of information! Please note that these jokes are intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as an indication that ChatGPT will replace pharmacists. The primary goal of AI tools like ChatGPT is to assist and augment human professionals, not to replace them.

Probably the worst application of ChatGPT I’ve ever done, asking it for jokes for this image. Comedians can sleep easy.

In this article, we explore 6 ways ChatGPT can integrate into pharmacy practice, streamlining processes, enhancing customer service, and optimising operations.

Can you start doing all these overnight? No.

Should you start a journey for integrating them today? Absolutely. Unless you’ve got plans with your kids. In which case, do that first. Then, and only then, should you start your pharmacy journey with GPT.

1. Automated Customer Support and “Virtual” ChatGPT Pharmacist Consultations

One of the key applications of ChatGPT in pharmacy practice is automating patient interactions – at least, the ones that happen all day every day. By integrating ChatGPT into pharmacy systems, pharmacies provide instant and accurate answers to customer queries, saving time and resources while maintaining a consistently high level of customer service.

Moreover, ChatGPT can also facilitate virtual pharmacist consultations, giving patients convenient access to professional advice without requiring a physical visit to the pharmacy.

We’re now exploring how we can use ChatGPT in your pharmacy website.

How would this work?

ChatGPT operates by processing and understanding data it’s given. By using Open AI‘s API, then coding a bespoke model/application for ChatGPT, it could understand your pharmacy’s data, such as the data held in your PMR system. Using this would enable it to respond to patient queries about their medication, including anything from asking when their prescription will be ready, to reporting side effects they’re experiencing and asking for advice.

The code could then tell ChatGPT to tell the patient to either seek the advice of a pharmacist or, potentially, raise a red flag in the PMR system based on the Patient’s interaction.

I think an initial issue is patients accepting that they were talking to AI – there are lots of trust issues there (You would absolutely have to be up front about it being an automated response). But this is a barrier to all new tech, and the more people used it, the more used to it they’d get.

2. Drug Interaction Checks and Prescription Validation

Patient safety is paramount in any healthcare setting, and pharmacies play a critical role in ensuring the safe dispensing of medications. ChatGPT can be employed to analyse drug interactions, alerting pharmacists to potential risks and helping to minimise the likelihood of adverse drug reactions. Additionally, ChatGPT can assist in automatically validating prescriptions, identifying potential errors, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Could Pharmacy PMR Systems then harness ChatGPT? We think so.

3. Inventory Management and Predictive Analytics for Demand Forecasting

Effective inventory management is essential to the smooth operation of a pharmacy. By leveraging ChatGPT, pharmacies can track and manage their inventory more efficiently, optimising stock levels and preventing running out of meds. Furthermore, integrating ChatGPT with external pharmacy data (such as the RPS, GPhC, PharmData) enables better demand forecasting, allowing adjusting inventory and staffing in anticipation of future needs.

4. Staff Training and Education

Pharmacies utilising ChatGPT as an educational resource to train staff on new medications, procedures, and regulations, ensuring a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce would be possible right now, with the right development.

This AI-assisted training can help employees stay current with industry developments and provide the best possible care to patients.

How can pharmacy owners trust ChatGPT enough to use it for training their staff?

Pharmacy owners concerns about relying on an AI system like ChatGPT for staff training are understandable.

Establishing trust in the technology requires:

  1. Validating the information provided by ChatGPT: Pharmacy owners can cross-check the information generated by ChatGPT with reliable sources, such as regulatory guidelines, drug databases, or educational materials.
  2. Combining AI assistance with human expertise: ChatGPT can be used as a supplementary resource alongside traditional training methods, providing staff with a comprehensive learning experience.
  3. Monitoring and adjusting: Pharmacy owners can regularly review and assess the quality of the training materials generated by ChatGPT and adjust their approach accordingly.

Regarding the validation of the information provided by ChatGPT, it should be possible to code ChatGPT’s API to integrate with the resources you yourself as a pharmacist would trust…meaning it has access to all the right information.

So far, my partner, who is a tax advisor who hates ChatGPT conceptually, has begrudgingly conceded that it knows the tax legislation pretty well. It’s answered things it took her 20 minutes to look up, instantly. Of course, it’s human nature to want to double-check this, but overall, AI is only as good as the data it’s trained on.

Giving it access to the same data you have means it’s probably going to be fine.

5. Personalised Medication Reminders and Patient Engagement

Improving patient adherence to medication regimens is crucial in achieving better health outcomes.

Pharmacies can use ChatGPT to send personalised medication reminders via text or email, making it easier for patients to remember when to take their medications. Additionally, ChatGPT can help pharmacies engage with their patients through tailored content and targeted marketing campaigns, promoting specific products or services and fostering long-term relationships.

Sending personalised medication reminders via text or email using ChatGPT requires integration with the pharmacy’s software systems. Here’s how this can be achieved:

  1. Establish a secure connection between the pharmacy’s software and ChatGPT API, allowing the AI to access relevant patient data, such as medication schedules and contact information.
  2. Develop custom scripts or applications that utilise ChatGPT to generate personalised reminder messages based on the patient’s medication regimen.
  3. Integrate the ChatGPT-generated messages with the pharmacy’s existing communication systems, such as email or SMS platforms, to automatically send reminders to patients.

6. Continuous Process Improvement

Pharmacies can harness the analytical capabilities of ChatGPT to evaluate operational data and identify areas for improvement. By continuously refining workflows and customer service, pharmacies can ensure they remain competitive and provide optimal care to their patients. Again, this would require investing into custom development, but the investment would be a fraction of the value generated, especially since the investment is ad-hoc and the benefits are ongoing.

Conclusion

The integration of ChatGPT into pharmacy practice holds immense potential to revolutionise the industry and change pharmacists’ lives by automating key processes, improving customer service, and optimising overall operations. As AI technology continues to advance, the applications of ChatGPT in pharmacy practice will only expand, paving the way for a more efficient and patient-centric healthcare experience.

Much of these require additional development on the pharmacy’s own site. Using ChatGPT’s API as a foundation, however, this is possible.

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how blockchain will transform pharmacy
Blockchain is next up in our series of articles on how future technologies will impact Pharmacy. In this article, we’ll examine how other industries use Blockchain, how Pharmacy can adopt it, and how its impact will grow as technology advances. For a “Too Long; Didn’t Read” summary, scroll to the bottom.

Blockchain technology is a network of computers storing data transparently.

What is the Blockchain, and how does it work?

Blockchain technology is a network of recorded and verified transactions. It’s an auditor’s dream, because it tracks everything.

From a technical perspective, it’s quite complex, so let me explain it in layman’s terms.

Think of a big notebook that everyone can see, and anyone can add to. Every time someone adds a new note to the notebook, everyone can see it and know that it’s true. No one can change anything that’s already written in the notebook, so everyone knows that the information is secure.

Now imagine that instead of a notebook, we’re talking about a digital ledger. This ledger is stored on many different computers all around the world, and each computer has a copy of the ledger. When someone wants to add a new piece of information to the ledger, they have to get agreement from all the other computers in the network. Once everyone agrees that the new information is valid, it gets added to the ledger and can’t be changed.

This is what blockchain technology is all about – it’s a way of storing information on a network of computers that is secure and transparent. Because the dataset is distributed amongst many different computers, it’s almost impossible for anyone to hack or alter the information. And because everyone on the network can see the same information, there’s no need for a central authority to verify transactions. This is what makes it a powerful tool for all kinds of applications, from finance to healthcare.

How can Pharmacy harness Blockchain in the future?

The most obvious impacts of Blockchain on Pharmacy will be:

  • Blockchain Prescriptions
  • Increased Data Security
  • Audit Trails & Accountability
  • Secure supply chain & eliminating counterfeit medicine

Blockchain Prescriptions: A more secure future

Blockchain technology has the potential to enhance prescription security in a number of ways:

  1. Preventing prescription fraud: By using blockchain to store prescription data, pharmacies and healthcare providers can create a tamper-proof record of prescription information that can’t be easily altered. This prevents prescription fraud and improve patient safety, especially if we transitioned to an electronic-only system. Similar to how Blockchain would prevent a lot of money laundering if we lived in a cashless society. Ironically, with no cash or paper prescriptions, there’s always a “paper trail.”
  2. Improving prescription tracking: Blockchain can provide a secure and transparent ledger of drug transactions, from production to dispensation, which could improve drug traceability and prevent counterfeit drugs from entering the supply chain.
  3. Enhancing patient privacy: Pharmacies guarantee that patient data is kept private and secure by using blockchain to store patient prescription data. The security of data and personal information is guaranteed for patients sharing data through blockchain-based systems.
  4. Streamlining prescription filling: Blockchain would allow quick and secure accessing of patient prescription data, allowing more efficient and accurate dispensing. This reduces errors and improves patient outcomes.
  5. Compliance with regulations: Using blockchain for storing prescription data means pharmacies comply automatically with regulations and guidelines related to prescription data storage and sharing.

Overall, blockchain technology has huge potential for improving prescription security. It requires significant investment, but the potential benefits for prescription security are more significant.

Increased Data Security

Reece Samani on Protecting Patient Data

Many of the great benefits that Big Data & AI offer have a common issue – data privacy & security.

But Blockchain provides a secure and decentralised database. Blockchain’s resistance to hacking and cyber threats, makes it the solution, protecting patient data and preventing data breaches.

Audit Trails, Authentication & Accountability

Reece Samani on Auditing Telemedicine Prescribing

A big issue within Pharmacy is practitioners going rogue: prescribing without need, overprescribing, under-dispensing and other fraudulent activities.

Blockchain, when combined with the Internet of Things, Big Data & AI, eliminates most, if not all the possibility for this to happen, especially not more than once.

Blockchain technology means that everything anyone does is traced back to them, or their log-in. It also tracks all the medicine across the supply chain, from source to dispensary.

The Big Data of the healthcare network includes the entire history of actions and behaviours by pharmacists across the industry in any particular network (e.g. the NHS).

Artificial Intelligence constantly scans this huge amount of data, learning what are and aren’t “typical” behaviours from pharmacists, suppliers, delivery drivers, you name it.

A fully blossomed Internet of Things links all devices across the same network and monitors activity, further increasing this paperless paper trail of actions.

All of these technologies working together combine in a way where, not unlike The Police’s creepy song about a stalker, every move you make, every step you take, the system is watching you.

It becomes very difficult to break the rules. For an industry which absolutely requires stringent regulation, this is only a good thing.

Secure supply chain & eliminating counterfeit medicine

Blockchain allows the tracking of drug movements all the way from manufacturer to the patient’s doorstep. This helps prevent counterfeit drugs from entering the supply chain and improves drug traceability.

By using blockchain technology, the pharmacy industry can ensure a secure and transparent supply chain, which helps to eliminate the entry of counterfeit medicines into the market. Since blockchain technology tracks every drug’s movement from the manufacturer to the patient’s doorstep, it becomes easy to trace the drug’s origins and detect any signs of tampering or counterfeiting.

Each time a new transaction occurs in the supply chain, it’s added to the blockchain. This creates an immutable record that cannot be altered.

This record includes details like the:

  • Date and time of the transaction,
  • Parties involved
  • Location of the transaction.

So any fraudulent activity can be detected quickly, and the drug can be traced back to its source.

As counterfeit medicines pose a significant threat to public health, ensuring drug traceability using blockchain technology can help prevent these dangerous drugs from entering the supply chain.

TL;DR?

There’s absolutely no question that technology enhances and enables better work from good pharmacists.

Blockchain technology however has enormous potential for reducing bad or illegal practice above all else. Especially regarding prescription security, supply chain transparency, and data security.

By leveraging blockchain technology, pharmacies create a tamper-proof record of prescription data that is secure, transparent, and easily accessible, while also complying with regulatory guidelines and providing better patient outcomes.

Although utilising Blockchain technology presents its own challenges, the potential benefits of blockchain technology for the pharmacy industry are more than worth it.

My only hope throughout writing this series of guides on future technology in Pharmacy is that the industry adopts them faster than they adopted digitisation.

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how is wearable tech impacting community pharmacy?
The surge in popularity of wearable technology extends well beyond retail Smartwatches. The technology continues revolutionising the way people lead their lives, and it has significant potential for revolutionising the healthcare industry. Community Pharmacies in the United Kingdom and beyond are no exception.

Wearable Technology in Numbers

  • 216 million global smartwatch users (Statista)
  • 1%/Year – The increase in growth of the population who own smartwatches in the US (Insider Intelligence)
  • 13 – Different categories of wearables. Smartwatches are almost synonymous with wearables, but there’s far more to wearables than watches. (Tesla Suit)
a graph showing the number of wearable technology devices globally

The number of connected wearable devices worldwide has more than doubled in the space of three years, increasing from 325 million in 2016 to 722 million in 2019. The number of devices is forecast to reach more than one billion by 2022.

Retail Opportunities for Pharmacies

Before we dive into the practical applications of how wearable tech can affect pharmacy’s day-to-day healthcare operations, a word on retail.

The vast majority of pharmacies in the UK still double-up as a retail shop, or a convenience store, for our American readers. Unless you’re based in a really remote location, you’re competing for little crumbs with multiple fish in the same pond as you.

Dress for the role you want, not the one you have

The way we change the public perception of what a Community Pharmacy is and does is by doing different things. People don’t visit pharmacies for cheap plastic toys.

If Pharmacies became outlets for Wearable Health technology, suddenly the advice of the professionals in-store adds value, giving you a huge advantage over online retailers who can’t offer that same tailored advice.

Take NuroKor LifeTech, as a working example, the wearable technology which manages and relieves Chronic Pain, amongst other things.

By offering continuous pain management consultations, having live demonstrations and group Q&A sessions on Living with Chronic Pain, you’re providing engaging options that add value to your community.

These products make sense for a pharmacy.

Applications of Wearable Technology in Medication Management

Wearable tech in medicine is still a new field. There’s still a lot of research being done, figuring out the best way for these devices for monitoring meds.

That said, the potential benefits of using them in the following areas don’t require much in the way of advancement of the technology.

  • Insulin – Monitoring blood glucose levels in people with diabetes and provide real-time feedback on insulin dosage and glucose levels.
  • Cardiovascular – Wearable devices can be used to monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular indicators.
  • Pain management – Monitoring pain levels (through specific physiological responses) and monitor the effectiveness of pain management medications, helping doctors make more informed treatment decisions.
  • Mental health – tracking patients’ mood, sleep patterns, and other indicators of mental health.
  • Asthma medications – Monitoring a patient’s respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and other indicators of asthma control.

The main area for improvement is the integration of data into healthcare practice, as well as advancements in, and adoption of, the Internet of Things (IoT) into pharmacy practice.

Remote Healthcare, revolutionised with data

One of the most significant ways in which wearable technology could impact community pharmacies is through the increased use of telemedicine.

We’re already seeing an increasing number of pharmacy clients requesting Online Doctor features adding to their websites. This will continue growing, and remote consultations along with it.

Wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers collect and transmit data on a patient’s health, allowing for remote monitoring and consultation with healthcare professionals. This enables community pharmacies to provide more personalised, real-time care to patients, and potentially reduce the need for in-person visits.

Thinking about the practical application of this with elderly patients with mobility issues is incredibly positive.

Wearable technology improves Chronic Condition Management

Another area in which wearable technology’s impact on community pharmacies will continue to grow, is in the management of chronic conditions.

Wearable devices can track vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure, and provide alerts for any abnormalities.

This enables the proactive management of patients with chronic conditions and reduces the risk of potential complications.

Prevention is always better than a cure.

Improved Adherence with Reminders & Alerts

Wearable technology can also have a positive impact on medication adherence.

Smartwatches, for example, can be programmed to remind patients to take their medication at the correct time, and can even send notifications to the patient’s healthcare provider if the medication is not taken as prescribed. This improves patient outcomes and reduces the number of hospital readmissions.

Furthermore, wearable technology can also help community pharmacies to provide more efficient and convenient services. For example, by using wearable devices, patients can order their prescriptions and have them delivered to their home, reducing the need for them to visit the pharmacy in person. Additionally, some wearables can integrate with the electronic prescriptions system, making it easier for the pharmacy to manage and track prescriptions.

How far away is Wearable Tech from full integration into Pharmacy?

It’s important to note that the adoption of wearable technology in community pharmacies is still in early stages, and there are some challenges that need to be addressed.

Data & Privacy Concerns

One of the main challenges is data security and privacy, ensuring that patients’ personal and medical information is protected.

Making sure the technology is reliable and accurate, and that the data collected is of sufficient quality for clinical decision-making is another critical factor.

What’s to stop someone lending their smart device to a friend in order to qualify for POM’s? Of course, there are workarounds in our current system too, but this isn’t an immediate fix with wearables in their current guise either.

Investment Costs & Priorities

Another challenge is the cost, as wearable technology is expensive, if you were using it for every patient. Of course, the savings made, margins widening and revenue generating implications of the technology mean it’s a sound investment. But long-term thinking and strategy is a rare bird in healthcare. So it may be some time before widespread adoption.

Diagnosis of Wearable Tech in Pharmacy

In conclusion, wearable technology has the potential to revolutionise the way community pharmacies in the United Kingdom provide care to patients. We’re talking years not months, but it’s likely on the way.

The technology enables remote monitoring, improved management of chronic conditions, and improved medication adherence.

However, the adoption of wearable technology in community pharmacies is still in early stages, and there are challenges that need to be addressed, such as data security, cost, and reliability.

As always, Community Pharmacies should be ready to adapt.

Interested in digitising your pharmacy business? Book in a consultation call with our Diagnose and Prescribe team.

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Your pharmacy business begins and ends with your people. As a Community Pharmacy, the numbers say that, on average, your people are probably unhappy. Let’s look at how to flip that script.
hands on a table signifying team culture

Get everyone bought in.

What do the numbers say about Pharmacy Culture?

  • Only 17% of Pharmacy Owners think every member of their pharmacy team operates with a unique set of values they want their pharmacy to be known for, according to our Perfect Pharmacy Scorecard.
  • Pharmacy technicians rate their career happiness 2.8 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 15% of careers. (CareerExplorer.com)
  • Just 16% of the 2,694 pharmacy students in a joint study between Health Education England and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society chose community pharmacy over hospital pharmacy.

This doesn’t paint a great picture of working life in a Pharmacy. There’s clearly a disconnect between top and bottom. Pharmacy Owners want their teams performing better, and the teams just don’t seem motivated.

So many pharmacists we speak to cite being short-staffed as the main problem they’re dealing with right now. Couple that with Locum rates being so high, and there’s something of a staffing epidemic in Community Pharmacy.

Changing the narrative

Most pharmacies are currently in a vicious circle. The work is stressful, the employees get stressed and demotivated. A demotivated, depressing environment isn’t appealing for prospective new team members and so you end up stuck with the demotivated, overworked team.

What we want is a virtuous circle. Creating an environment where your pharmacy team loves working makes that environment appealing for job applicants.

So how do we move from that vicious circle to a virtuous cycle? Implementing culture that incorporates your team.

Creating your Pharmacy Culture

Building a positive culture in your Pharmacy team can have numerous benefits, including:

  • Improved patient outcomes
  • Increased job satisfaction amongst team members
  • Reduced staff turnover

Here are 7 steps for building a good team culture in your pharmacy:

1. Clearly define the values and goals of the team

What kind of pharmacy do you want to be?

Remember that values and Pharmacy Culture aren’t about what you do, it’s about the way you do it.

If your team understands and buys into the mission and values of the organisation, their performance aligns parallel.

Your culture comes from the top, from your passion as a leader. This means you need passion for your values! People follow leaders for their passion and because they align with their vision. You’re the driving force of your pharmacy.

Do you show up with passion and drive every day, and lead by example?

2. Foster open communication and transparency

Encourage sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback openly and honestly throughout your team. Giving people agency and control in their role both helps their sense of worth and productivity within your pharmacy.

Do this by sharing your own thoughts and visions for your pharmacy’s strategy with your team. Sharing begets sharing.

3. Show appreciation and give recognition

Let team members know that their contributions are valued and appreciated. This is as simple as saying thank you or recognising their efforts in team meetings, but make sure it’s sincere. This small gesture goes a long way.

4. Encourage personal and professional growth

Offer your team opportunities for developing their skills and advancing their careers. People invest in their own development. Offering development opportunities makes them invest themselves with your pharmacy.

5. Promote work-life balance

Help team members find a healthy balance between their work and personal lives. This can include offering flexible work schedules or providing resources to support employee well-being.

Naturally, if you’re already short-staffed, you might feel this is impossible. You need them to work, right?

You have options.

Investing in technology and automating your team’s most repetitive or time-consuming tasks is a major solution here.

Talk to your team, let them know you’re grateful for their efforts and, whilst it’s a struggle hiring locums and/or new staff, you’re investing in taking the pressure off them.

6. Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment

Encourage team members to work together and support one another. This can include things like providing opportunities for teamwork and building strong relationships amongst team members.

Again, lead by example on this.

The junior members of your team aren’t there to lend the senior members help exclusively – and often the junior members of the team are the ones who need the most help.

7. Lead by example

I’ve said this about three times already throughout this guide, because it’s critical to your culture.

As a leader, it is important to model the behaviour you want to see in your team.

If you never take a break, it makes your team feel like they can’t take a break. That’s not setting the right tone.

Being open and transparent, showing appreciation and respect for team members, and acting with integrity? That’s setting a great tone.


We understand that life in Community Pharmacy is usually high-speed, and can be very stressful. There are external influences that make the job harder e.g. drug prices or the GP surgery not sending a patient’s RX on time. These are not within your control.

However, your “culture” is within your control, and you have the power to shape and nurture that. It’s not easy, but the rewards make it worth it for you, your team and your patients.

This article was written by JP, our Brand Content Editor who has been with PM since the early days and has extensive experience in working with multidisciplinary teams, with the help of Saam, a pharmacist by trade and our CEO, and who has extensive experience in leading teams in both the pharmacy and digital worlds.

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2022 managed to both whizz by, and also be a year in which we achieved so much for our Pharmacy clients! Here’s our round-up of what we learned in 2022, as well as what we look forward to in 2023.

The team assembles at our HQ in Sheffield for a Training Day!

Pharmacy Mentor’s 2022 in numbers

  • 65 New Clients
  • 65 Websites built (coincidentally the same number, not every new client had a website built!)
  • 12 New Positions hired
  • 14 New TrustPilot reviews

Client Wins and Growth

There were some really great client wins in 2022. It’s especially great when re-strategising becomes necessary because clients have outgrown the service.

We understand knowing what’s working for other pharmacies is super useful, so here are a couple of those successes that we can showcase without this article getting too long.

1. Migrating 1,000’s of patients over to our new Prescription Ordering System

This pharmacy wanted a new website, but felt stuck with their old one because they had 1,000’s of patients registered to the integrated prescription re-ordering tool.

We established an affordable method of migrating these patients over to the new system, which we can now replicate for other pharmacies in the same situation of feeling chained to a provider because of their patient base.

an image showing the internal patient dashboard for an EPS systemThe Patient’s Dashboard where they can manage, order and pay for their prescriptions and any family’s prescriptions.

They now have a beautiful website, with a modern interface which keeps things simple for both patient and pharmacist. The migration was rolled out carefully, with patients being sent emails with simple instructions of how to log-in to the new system.

  • 1000’s of patients successfully using the system and ordering prescriptions
  • Live chat system – which is very busy, showing patient’s preference for communicating that way
  • Separate Private Prescription Ordering
  • Online bookings for services

2. 7,200+ Flu Bookings generated through organically ranking on Google + Optimised Booking Calendar

This year’s Flu Season was as busy as ever, but this UK Community Pharmacy chain increased their outreach and also streamlined their workflow with over 7,200 appointments between September and December.

This was achieved through a combination of Search Engine Optimisation work, making sure they appeared on Local Google Searches when patients searched for Flu vaccines, and optimising their website by adding an optimised Booking Calendar, making booking an appointment a breeze for patients.

With it being a larger organisation, we also trained their teams across the UK on using the Booking Calendar, making sure that patient experience was consistently a delight wherever they were based.

What was the ROI?

The Return on Investment with this project was MASSIVE – between 720% and 1,008% return on the £5k investment.

  • Installation and optimisation of our popular booking calendar
  • Online recorded training provided to the entire team
  • Entire cost of implementation = £5000 one off
  • Average gross profit of flu jab = around £5 to £7. Therefore, gross profit generated = £36,000 – £50,400.
  • ROI = 7x to 10x.
  • The online booking calendar is now being used for many services. No subscription fees paid or commission taken.

3. Generating 18,400+ Online Clinic Bookings throughout 2022

This Pharmacy has a thriving clinic, because they committed to marketing it properly.

Over the past three years, we’ve developed their marketing piece by piece, until now they’ve got a thriving model where any input (investment) drives significant output (returns).

With SEO in place, they drive a significant amount of organic page views to both their Travel Clinic and Pharmacy Websites. The image below shows how many people are visiting the Travel Clinic website on any given day and the source of the visitor.

screenshot of Google Analytics showing that the website gets more organic traffic than paid

They’ve also invested significantly into Google Ads, with our Advanced Google Ads management. Their lifetime spend with Google is around £117k over the course of around five years, but it’s been dramatically increased since we’ve set up the rest of their digital ecosystem. (£68k of this budget was spent in 2022).

That sounds like a lot.

But with a total of 18,429 bookings, each averaging around £60 spend with some spends in excess of £300, that £68k investment has yielded between £1,105,740 and £1,842,900 in revenue for 2022.

What did we do for them?

  • Built them an online booking calendar that can be used across two websites – their custom-built pharmacy and travel clinic websites – they didn’t have a booking system before. This was £500.
  • In 2022, they generated a total of 18,429 bookings, mostly made up of PCR Testing and Travel Vaccinations. This booking system also reduced walk-ins and phone calls which reduced disruption to the pharmacy workflow.
  • The total spend for 2022 was around £75k including improvements to their websites.
  • The typical purchase for Travel Clinic bookings is £60. However, some people pay over £300. That means generating anywhere between £1,105,740 and £1,842,900 in revenue for 2022.
  • The culmination of all of this is we’ve helped this pharmacy turn £68k into £1m+ in 2022.

Our Evolution

Naturally, in helping pharmacies grow, we’ve had to grow ourselves. In 2022, we added 12 people to our team.

Developing the Development Team

Many of our new hires were in the Web Development team, as that side of our agency has, quite simply, exploded in demand.

Hiring two Senior Developers changed the game from what was a struggle in coping with the demand to getting on top of things and delivering to our PM Standards.

David Watson, David Fisk, Ben, Shar and Joe all joined the Web Dev team in 2022, and their collective efforts is in no small part responsible for delivering excellence. With the plans that we have for evolving our online prescribing systems and building out The PM Members Dashboard, expanding our development team was a must.

A TrustPilot review from a Pharmacy Mentor Client which reads: We have worked with Pharmacy Mentor for a while now and the service has been excellent. Our journey began with building a website which has developed in to creating bespoke features such as a prescription ordering system. Our website booking system for pharmacy services has been an integral feature. It has allowed us to organise the pharmacists day and drive uptake. From this we have worked with the marketing team to advertise and reach out to a wider patient base to offer both private and NHS services. Communication has been great with all staff members on various platforms. Staff have always been friendly and more than happy to help. In my personal experience they have gone above and beyond to ensure we receive a solution to any issues or queries.

One of our favourite reviews from 2022.

Cultivating the Client Relations team

Something else we wanted to improve on was our communications with clients. We know that people want one point of contact, so we hired two additional Account Executives, Joan and Roa, who now act as client ambassadors between our team and clients. This means clients don’t need to go around the houses to find the right person to speak to, or chase things up – it’s all handled for them by someone they know.

Improving our Processes & Output

Improving through client feedback

This really is what shapes our business for the better. We are continuously trying to get feedback from our clients, understanding where we can improve, whether that’s delivery, our communications, or elsewhere.

We know we can always do better and therefore, it’s a critical part of our journey at PM, and helps us deliver better for our clients. We’ll never stop learning and innovating.

Being more regular

Not like that, although we did learn to speak Pharmacist’s language a lot more when discussing digital marketing as a business.

No, this regularity is about the consistency with which we held both Company Updates and Training Days.

Our CEO, Saam giving a presentation to the team at the latest Company Update.

Company Updates and Training

The monthly company updates are where the company’s progress and goals were reviewed. For a team that works more remotely than not, these meetings are so important for fostering a company-wide team spirit.

Our team is based all over the UK (and beyond), so getting everyone in a room together isn’t a regular occurrence.

However, we’ve committed to a training day every three months, when every UK based team-member meets up, and we go through both skills training within departments and Pharmacy training, where the pharmacists in our team lead sessions improving the knowledge and understanding of pharmacy life across our whole team.

We’ve learned that these events are critical to fostering a better culture in our team and thus, helps us deliver more effectively for our clients.

Diagnosing & Prescribing

This was an interesting change, as it was far more of a mindset change, with ripple effects into process changes.

We’ve never wanted to “sell” to pharmacies, we’ve always wanted to help them. It’s similar to healthcare. You don’t want to sell people medicine they don’t need. You want to help them fix their problems, and the sale follows naturally afterwards.

Thinking of ourselves like Pharmacists also led us treating the rest of our processes like Pharmacist-related activities.

  • Pharmacist Information Leaflets – We now include the guides we’ve written as attachments when sending proposal emails. Let’s say you’re beginning a Google Ads service, whilst you’re thinking over whether it’s the right time for you. We’ll send you a link to The Complete Guide to Advertising Your Pharmacy Online, for example.This gives prospective clients the chance to revise everything our Pharmacy Growth Specialists have discussed with them in their own time, with all the relevant information on demand.
  • Marketing Use Reviews – We’re still working on this process, but we’ve got something really exciting planned for later this year, making sure every PM client is getting the most out of their marketing, and that results and performance is transparent.

What we’ve got planned for 2023

2022 was a successful year, but we’re not resting on our proverbial laurels for the year ahead. There are some big things coming regarding what we can offer pharmacies, and the seeds of what we’re going to develop have come from client feedback, demand and understanding the direction pharmacy is heading.

Data. Data. And more Data.

We’ve been there and done it, as far as Pharmacy Marketing is concerned. But we haven’t quite got the T-shirt’s printed.

One of our main objectives for 2023 is how we can capture data for our pharmacies better that we are doing, and make it more “visible” what the work we do equates to for a pharmacy. We offer a plethora of critical digital treatments for pharmacies and we’re looking at how we can centralise everything for the pharmacy more effectively.

Without giving too much away, we’re heading to a place where pharmacies will understand the most important metrics from the work that we do more easily and transparently, and what this means in terms of growth for their pharmacy.

We’re going to help you understand, with better and relevant data, how imperative your website is for your pharmacy, and the marketing we do around it that generates business. We already know what the most important data and metrics are for a pharmacy when using our services. It’s why we exist – to grow these numbers for a pharmacy.

In short, we’re going to take a deep dive into how we’re going to extrapolate the following better for our clients:

  • No. of patient/EPS sign-ups
  • No. of clinic bookings and revenue generated
  • No. of POM, P-Line and GSL treatments sold online
  • Your ROI from general marketing spend
  • Communication frequency online
  • The trends in growth
  • What all the other analytical data means around these, for example your website traffic, keyword scores, your social engagement and more

We’re also going to help you find more growth opportunities than ever before – and there are so many out there.

Working with 100’s of pharmacies across the UK means that we can also begin to “benchmark” data . This will mean you can see what’s working for pharmacies in similar situations to you, giving you the ability and knowledge to make better business decisions and be confident investing in marketing.

Our Culture

Better delivery for our clients starts with our people. As well as investing in better data analytics for our clients, we’re going to be investing in more advanced training and development for our team.

Innovation is a strong value of ours and we’re going to be looking at ways to further improve how we communicate with each other, our system and process, and always recognising greatness within our teams .

With the regular employee satisfaction surveys we send to our people, just like our clients, we look to make sure they are heard and the feedback is acted upon. This helps us build on a culture where we feel great at work, and is all part of The PM Code that we’ll be more of in 2023.

Want to scale up your pharmacy business in 2023? Book in a consultation call with our Diagnose and Prescribe team.

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