Pharmacy U news

The different perspectives we have acquired through our pharmacy careers bring value to the overall care that can be provided. But we must be willing to share the wisdom we have acquired, and more so, we must be willing to listen to the wisdom being shared so that it can produce the best value.

We are not lawyers. We are not real estate agents. However, that does not mean we are devoid of negotiating skills. Whether we are explaining a co-pay to a patient, signing an agreement with an employer, buying a pharmacy or making a staff schedule, there are parts of the pharmacist’s day where we just have to pull up our pants and negotiate.

For some time now, I have been wrestling with this topic of the hope of healthcare. Deep down we all recognize not just the opportunity, but the need for healthcare to improve. How will this happen? Truth be told, there are many pieces that will contribute to the solution. What roles will pharmacists play in this solution? What roles can pharmacists play in this solution?

As pharmacists we have proven repeatedly, especially during the pandemic, that we do not walk away from a challenge, especially when it has the potential to vastly improve patient care.

The new year – still fresh – presents an opportunity not only to look back at all that was accomplished over the past 12 months, but also to look ahead and set priorities for the new year. That is especially the case if you are preparing to put up your pharmacy for sale within the next five years or so, because that is how long a successful business sale transaction can take in the pharmacy industry.

In a world where vaccine discussions are often laden with misconceptions and mounting tension, have you found it challenging to maintain productive conversations in your practice? If so, you’re not alone.

Compartmentalization permits risk management. Viewing your pharmacy down into its pieces can bring tremendous advantage. Structuring workflow or systems such that if disaster happens, only pieces are lost instead of the whole may sound tedious, but after one disaster the value will be evident.

Ever find yourself working harder than you need to in the process of buying something for your pharmacy? When choosing a vendor, I have learned that I prefer to do business with those I can communicate with, which is a nice way of saying that I do not have to babysit them.