Starting a profitable same-day pharmacy delivery service? Read about key trends, and explore strategies to enhance productivity and customer satisfaction.
Same-day medicine delivery is getting more popular with pharmacy customers.
They like the ease of having their prescriptions brought to their door without needing to drive to the pharmacy.
ASOP Global says 74% of people who have bought medicines online and had them delivered would do it again. That’s a great chance for you to reach more customers without them needing to visit your store.
This guide covers all essential aspects of launching same-day delivery services for your pharmacy.
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Same-day medicine delivery is when a pharmacy brings your medications to you on the same day you order them. It’s getting more popular because people love the convenience and time savings.
The shift to delivery has been pushed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with more people staying home and wanting things delivered right to their doorstep.
Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid are some pharmacies that offer same-day delivery to their customers.
Walgreens started same-day prescription delivery in May 2021, with delivery times as fast as two hours for $12.99 per order.
CVS Pharmacy began same-day delivery in 2019 for $7.99 and offers free next-day delivery on orders over $49.
Publix introduced same-day prescription delivery for as low as $5 in May 2020.
Rite Aid provides various delivery options, including same-day and next-day delivery, for a fee.
First, customers love that they can get their prescriptions without leaving home.
Second, many pharmacies offer discounts for first-time users of same-day delivery. This gets new customers to try it and makes them more likely to stick with that pharmacy.
Third, pharmacies can keep more drugs in stock, making it less likely they’ll run out of popular prescriptions.
Finally, same-day delivery helps build customer loyalty by offering a convenient and reliable service. Happy customers are key to growing your business quickly.
In a world where people are busier than ever and time is precious, being able to order medication and have it delivered the same day is a valuable service.
Offering same-day delivery not only meets customer needs but also helps your pharmacy stand out from the competition.
With more pharmacies offering online ordering and home delivery, it’s hard to be different. Other businesses are always innovating and finding new ways to get ahead.
If you’re not keeping up, you might get left behind.
One common issue with medicine delivery is ensuring quality. Medications need to arrive in perfect condition and be kept at the right temperatures. Same-day delivery helps ensure they get to the customer quickly and remain effective.
When setting up a same-day medicine delivery service, pharmacies face a few challenges.
First, ensuring all medications are properly labeled and stored before loading them onto the delivery vehicle is crucial. This is where maintaining HIPAA compliance is vital. Mislabeling or including the wrong information on a label could lead to an expensive violation. Ensure that you and your team are informed and compliant with HIPAA regulations.
Another challenge is having enough staff to handle the influx of orders that come in during the first few weeks of launching a same-day delivery service. You might be surprised by the number of orders you receive, so ensure you have plenty of hands available to help you process them.
It's also important to ensure that all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are familiar with the new system. They can help process orders and ensure customers receive their medications.
There are a few important factors to consider when launching same-day delivery in your pharmacy.
Think about the types of medications you'll offer for delivery. Not all medicines can be safely and effectively delivered on the same day, so focusing on suitable products is crucial.
If you're using a medical courier, check their capabilities for temperature control. While the best couriers provide this, not all do.
Decide on the area you'll cover for deliveries. Ensure your delivery radius is large enough to reach all your customers to avoid losing business.
When starting a same-day medicine delivery program, common options include partnering with a 3PL or hiring a pharmacy delivery driver. There are various ways to launch this service, each with its level of complexity.
You can establish your own same-day medicine delivery service, collaborate with a courier service, and use route optimization software like eLogii. Or, you can employ a pharmacy delivery driver.
Develop your own software to manage online orders, track deliveries, and execute them.
Pros:
Cons:
Collaborate with a comprehensive logistics partner like eLogii, who manages both software and deliveries. Your responsibility is simply to schedule the deliveries.
Researching and selecting a company that meets your requirements is crucial. Compare rates, delivery times, and customer reviews of medical courier services before making a decision.
Pros:
Cons:
Hire a pharmacy delivery driver to handle the deliveries.
Pros:
Cons:
Most pharmacies prefer partnering with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. Big companies like CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens also outsource their deliveries.
Check out our guide on choosing a third-party logistics provider.
Now, let’s look at some critical steps you'll need to take, no matter which option you choose:
Follow these steps to launch same-day delivery in your pharmacy quickly and efficiently.
Whether you hire a medical courier or a pharmacy delivery driver, make sure they follow all delivery protocols.
Next, you need to set up delivery protocols. This includes figuring out how orders will be placed, what information you'll need from customers, and how payments will be handled.
Make sure to write down these protocols so all staff can follow them.
Partnering with us gives you access to our advanced tracking features, letting you track all your orders in real time.
Train your staff on the new delivery procedures. Everyone involved should fully understand the protocols to ensure a smooth and successful launch of your same-day medicine delivery program.
You'll require at least one dedicated individual to coordinate same-day deliveries. They should be familiar with your inventory and operating procedures.
Your staff should know how to pack orders securely and efficiently, load them into the delivery vehicle, and track them. Not all staff members will handle this, but it's good for everyone to know in case you're short-handed.
With eLogii's automated route planning, you can cut costs by 82%.
After launching your same-day medicine delivery service, educate your staff and customers about it to encourage quick adoption.
The sooner your customers use the service, the faster you’ll see consistent sales growth in your pharmacy.
Promote it on your website and social media. Put up signs around your store or in your windows so customers can’t miss it. Most importantly, train your staff to recommend it to customers when they come in.
As customers start using the new service, pay attention to their feedback. Make quick improvements to keep your customers happy.
Keep an eye on your revenue growth. The goal of launching a same-day delivery service is to boost your revenue and attract new customers. Set goals, measure your progress, and make changes to help you reach those goals.
Revenue isn’t the only important metric. Track other metrics like on-time delivery, the number of daily deliveries, and the rate of acquiring new customers. Almost every metric is valuable for understanding how your customers use your services and finding ways to reach more of them.
Learn the difference between a closed-door pharmacy and a retail pharmacy.
A pharmacy delivery driver handles delivering medications and medical supplies to customers.
Their duties include inspecting the delivery vehicle, reporting any mechanical issues, keeping the vehicle clean and organized, driving to specified locations, loading and unloading cargo, and getting a signature to confirm the delivery.
In today’s fast-paced world, there is a growing demand for same-day delivery services, and pharmacies are no exception.
eLogii’s expertise and experience enable us to offer a reliable and cost-effective same-day delivery solution tailored for pharmacies.
Our state-of-the-art tracking system ensures punctual deliveries every time. With eLogii, you can concentrate on managing your pharmacy effectively while we handle the delivery logistics.
Speak with an eLogii expert today, and let us assist you in launching a delivery program for your business swiftly.
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