5 Essential Reasons Why Pharmacies Should Offer Local Delivery

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Did you know that in 2020, half of patients got their prescriptions delivered via mail, with nearly 15% of those opting for Rx home delivery by a local courier? 

Three years later, local delivery for pharmacies has proven to be more than a mere add-on service—it’s an essential part of pharmacy operations. Patients now expect more than just getting their medications. They seek real-time updates, direct communication, and a flexible delivery experience that meets their needs.

With this trend, mastering local delivery should be more than just a goal for large retail pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. Independent pharmacies must rise to the challenge, too. 

So, how can you leverage local delivery, in a way that doesn’t drain your resources, to meet these great expectations, forge lasting trust, and drive growth? First, we’ll cover five key reasons why local pharmacy deliveries can be the key to pharmacy success:

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1. Gives patients control and flexibility
2. Builds trust through better communication
3. Boosts net transfers
4. Eliminates time-consuming work 
5. Improves medication adherence & health outcomes

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Then, we’ll introduce you to Nash’s pharmacy delivery platform. It's a delivery platform built to help any size pharmacy get local delivery off the ground, with enterprise-level results.

Whether you're a major chain or an independent provider, you can use local delivery to enhance the patient experience, foster lasting relationships, and grow your business in an industry where trust and compliance rule all.

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The Top 5 Reasons Why Local Pharmacy Delivery Benefits Everyone

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1. Gives Patients Control and Flexibility 

A missed delivery isn't just a logistical hiccup—it’s a missed dose, a potential health risk. Flexibility is vital to avoiding these issues and ensuring patients receive their medications on time. Here’s how:

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Customized Delivery Windows: Allowing patients to choose or customize their delivery time windows is more than just convenient. Whether scheduling a specific hour in the evening or selecting a day for home delivery, this personalization adds flexibility and lowers the chance of a missed delivery.

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Editable Delivery Instructions: Life's unpredictable, and a patient might have last-minute instructions about the delivery spot. Allowing changes to delivery instructions on the fly ensures they get their medication without any hitches, and the pharmacy is adaptable to real-life situations.

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Rescheduling: Sometimes, things come up, and plans change. Offering the ability to change the delivery time is akin to rescheduling a doctor's appointment. It prevents failed deliveries and highlights the pharmacy's dedication to making things convenient for the patient.

2. Builds Trust Through Better Communication

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Trust is at the heart of patient relationships, and communication is critical to building that trust when it comes to delivering medications. Regular and thoughtful interaction during delivery can keep patients engaged and comfortable in the following ways:

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Ease Anxiety with Real-Time Updates: It's natural for patients to worry a little when they're waiting for essential medications. Questions like "Has the pharmacy logged my order? When will it arrive?" may linger in their minds. 

Providing real-time updates via text, email, or even your app—from processing, to on-the-way, to delivery—can go a long way. Clear communication turns a potentially stressful experience into a smooth and reassuring one.

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Direct Communication with the Driver: Special instructions for an rx delivery? Letting patients talk directly to the driver ensures the process goes smoothly. This level of personal interaction puts them in control and fosters trust.

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Responsiveness to Concerns and Questions: Trust doesn’t end when the package is delivered. Being available for any follow-up questions or concerns shows patients that the pharmacy is there for them, no matter what.

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3. Boosts Net Transfers

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Patients always lean towards what's convenient and dependable, and by offering both through local delivery, you can boost net transfers to your pharmacy. Here's why that's beneficial:

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Cultivating Patient Preference: When the delivery process is smooth and efficient, your pharmacy becomes the preferred choice for healthcare needs. Satisfaction leads to loyalty, and loyalty leads to more prescriptions transferring to your pharmacy. More net transfers mean more business, a broader patient base, and an opportunity to provide care to more individuals in the community.

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Setting Yourself Apart from the Competition: A transparent and straightforward delivery process sets you apart. Become patients’ go-to pharmacy by ensuring they don't have to grapple with a confusing delivery system. When patients are loyal to your pharmacy, it increases net transfers and referrals, which boosts revenue, enhances your pharmacy's reputation, and strengthens your position in the market.

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4. Eliminates Time-Consuming Work 

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Time is of the essence in any pharmacy, and the more of it that staff can dedicate to core responsibilities, the better the service. A crucial aspect that often consumes unnecessary time is handling constant inquiries about delivery statuses. Here's how a self-service tracking system can be a game-changer:

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‍Freeing Up Staff Time: Patients can independently monitor their delivery status by offering a robust tracking system with real-time updates. This reduces their need to call the pharmacy with questions, allowing staff to focus on other essential tasks. It's about efficiency – letting technology handle the routine queries so you can use your resources where they matter most.

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Enhancing Accuracy: When staff are continually interrupted by calls about deliveries, there's a greater chance of human error in other vital areas. A self-service system minimizes these interruptions, enabling staff to be more attentive to their primary responsibilities. This, in turn, reduces the potential for mistakes in areas such as dispensing medications or managing inventory.

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Improving Staff and Patient Experience: A real-time tracking system isn't just a win for patients; it also benefits the pharmacy staff. Patients can check their delivery status whenever they want, giving them control and reassurance. Meanwhile, staff can monitor deliveries, ensuring everything is on track and proactively addressing any issues. 

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5. Improves Medication Adherences & Health Outcomes

Though last on our list, this is the most critical part of a pharmacy's delivery service. Ensuring patients take their medications as prescribed is at the core of what a pharmacy does, and an excellent delivery system plays a crucial role:

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Better Access Means Better Care: Companies like Alto have shown what's possible with local delivery. By pairing it with the assistance of local pharmacists, they've broken down barriers that might keep patients from their health routines. That's more than just convenient. It's caring for the community.

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Boosting Adherence Rates to Keep Patients Healthy: Convenience leads to compliance. When getting medications is smooth and easy, adherence rates can soar by 40%. That's not a mere statistic. It's a sign of better health outcomes and a higher quality of life for patients.

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Offer Reliable Local Pharmacy Delivery with Nash 

From building lasting trust with patients to optimizing staff efficiency, enhancing patient medication adherence, and expanding your pharmacy's reach, local delivery isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a must.

Nash is a secure and reliable local delivery solution for pharmacies. With an extensive network covering  97% of the US and extending to the UK, Canada, and beyond, Nash helps you deliver more than just prescriptions. With Nash, you’ll deliver patient value.

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Seamless and Compliant Service: Offer 24/7 smooth pharmacy delivery that meets all regulations, with proof of delivery, including signatures and photos, to keep you audit-ready.

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Reach More Customers: Experiment with different providers through Nash’s network of 500+ providers to find expanded coverage with rates that work for you.

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Integration with Your Pharmacy Management System: Nash fits right into your existing workflow, seamlessly logging all delivery data and history.

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Deliver & Collect More Than Prescriptions: Whether delivering prescriptions or collecting test samples, Nash adds a layer of convenience that enhances the patient experience, reflecting your pharmacy's care and dedication to the community.

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Learn more about Nash and unlock a delivery experience that's patient-friendly, efficient, and fully compliant with industry standards.