Top Tips for New Pharmacists Starting Out
source: @nci
There was once a time that the malls and the superstores took over all of the smaller pharmacy businesses, but when you have been through school, and it’s now 2022, those once-eradicated smaller pharmacies are making a comeback. To move all the way through pharmacy school and have taken on a load of student loans means you have the chance to strike out on your own rather than wait for somebody else.
Opening your own pharmacy business, a smaller and more independent business, you can get to know your clients and your clients have a lot more confidence that they are being taken care of. It’s easy to forget that pharmacists are a part of the healthcare team, that they need pharmacist liability insurance and they need to follow the law. So, you need to consider how you can get started with your pharmacy business. It’s not very easy, given the rules and regulations that govern pharmaceuticals, so how do you begin? Let’s take a look.
Do as much research as possible. No matter what kind of business you start, you need to do research but when it comes to pharmaceuticals, research is a must. Not only do you need to ensure that you research the location of where your pharmacy business will be, you need to consider how much space you need, how many other employees you want to hire, and whether you are in a position to open a business in the first place. As a graduate, you need to get the facts so go to the sites that offer tips and talk to current pharmacy owners. There are plenty of organizations that can help you directly in this field and it’s important to learn what you are taking on before you get started.
Think about the kind of pharmacy you’d like to open. Yes, there is more than one kind. You can buy a franchise, or you can buy a store and open your own pharmacy. Sometimes it’s easier to start out with a pharmacy that already exists, by taking over the lease and the business deeds from somebody else. Some doctors take over practices and inherit patients but pharmacists often take over the pharmacy and inherit the clients from that. You already have an established customer base and vendor relations, and you can guarantee that you will be able to get to know the area in a more intimate way. If you know the kind of pharmacy you’d like to open it’s a good place to begin.
Get acquainted with an attorney. Any business owner needs a good legal mind to help them to navigate their new world. Meeting with an attorney is just smart because you’ll be able to take the right legal direction. You need to know all the legalities that are involved in a pharmaceutical business, as you are going to be handling very confidential and very sensitive information. You will also be handling medications, and while you would’ve learnt to do that in college, that doesn’t mean that you know the legal side of things. Meeting with a good attorney is going to help you to get a foot in the door and insure that you are handling your business the right way.
Take a deeper look into business loans. What business out that doesn’t need loans to get going? If you already have the money to start a business whether that be from family or an inheritance, you still need to make sure that you speak to the banking manager to help you to manage your finances. Most individuals need to take out a business loan of some kind so make sure that you are shopping around for the option that best meets your needs. You also need to have a good business plan to take with you to the bank so that you can convince them that giving you a loan is a good idea!
Make sure you hire appropriate staff. If you’re planning to build your pharmacy team, you shouldn’t be handing out jobs to family friends, and your best friends. You need a licensed pharmacist which would be you if that’s your occupation. It could also help to have a second set of hands if the pharmacy location is a busy one. It will help you to have support staff and they should all be trusted, trained, and accountable individuals. You also need to consider an accountant, and an insurance agent. This is because you need to have pharmacist liability insurance, this could be a big help for you as you move through your business.
Build up your product base. Get to know the companies that you’re working with for your pharmaceutical business, and how you want to stock the product. Think about the quantities and the needs and how quickly you can get something if you need it. You should also take a look over any clients and their particular prescriptions so that you know which medicines to have in stock.
Ask as many questions as possible. While you are in your research phase for your pharmacy, make sure you are asking questions so that people understand that you are new to the business. You may have gone through school and landaulet you can, but that doesn’t mean you know everything yet. Having a pre-existing relationship with patients can really help you out.
Take as many possible opportunities to learn. As a pharmacist, you’re going to learn a lot about pharmacy then you do it in the business that you did in school. There are going to be things that you are challenged with, and there are going to be questions that you asked that you don’t always know the answers for. It’s a good idea to ensure that you are doing all that you can’t keep up with your education even beyond college.
A new business is an exciting venture - just ensure that you are fully prepared for what it takes to run it and you’ll do well!