Action Items
- [ ] Download the drug-induced nutrient depletion template from the provided link.
- [ ] Customize the template to fit your pharmacy’s specific patient population and needs.
- [ ] Print and laminate the customized template to be used by the pharmacy staff.
- [ ] Train pharmacy staff on how to use the template to identify potential supplement needs and offer relevant products to patients.
- [ ] Ensure the most common recommended supplements are placed near the cash register for easy access and upselling.
Outline
Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion: Introduction and Importance
- Lisa Faast introduces the session focused on clinical services revenue related to drug-induced nutrient depletion.
- She shares her curiosity about this topic during her final year of pharmacy school, where she conducted research on drug-induced nutrient depletion.
- Lisa emphasizes the commonality of this issue and the potential for pharmacists to capitalize on it by offering supplements to patients.
- She highlights the immediate revenue potential through cash-based clinical services, particularly for patients on medications that deplete vitamins or minerals.
Common Example: Statins and Coenzyme Q10
- Lisa discusses the most well-known example of drug-induced nutrient depletion: statins causing a depletion of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the body.
- She explains that supplementing with CoQ10 can help prevent some of the side effects associated with statins.
- Lisa mentions that this issue is not limited to statins but applies to a wide variety of medications.
- She introduces the concept of using a drug-induced nutrient depletion sheet to help pharmacists identify and address these depletions.
Implementing the Nutrient Depletion Sheet
- Lisa shows a template of the drug-induced nutrient depletion sheet, which is available for download on the summit’s page.
- She describes how the sheet is printed and laminated for reuse, allowing pharmacists to circle relevant supplements for patients.
- The sheet is placed in the patient’s bag, and the cashier can then offer the recommended supplements to the patient.
- Lisa suggests having the most common vitamins readily available at the cash register for easy upselling.
Customizing and Using the Template
- Lisa encourages pharmacists to customize the template to fit their specific patient populations, such as those on fertility drugs or HIV medications.
- She advises adding the pharmacy logo and making the sheet a consistent part of the pharmacy’s operations.
- The laminated sheet can be reused multiple times, reducing the need for frequent printing.
- Lisa emphasizes the importance of using clinical knowledge to address the whole patient and prevent potential issues before they arise.
Benefits and Practical Implementation
- Lisa highlights the benefits of implementing this system, including improved patient care and additional revenue for the pharmacy.
- She notes that over-the-counter (OTC) revenue is generally more profitable than prescription revenue, with margins around 50%.
- Even a small increase in OTC sales can result in significant additional income for the pharmacy.
- Lisa encourages pharmacists to take action within the next 90 days to implement this tool in their pharmacies.
Contact and Additional Resources
- Lisa provides contact information for any questions or assistance regarding the template and its implementation.
- She directs participants to download the Excel template from the summit’s page and to visit the Diversify RX blog for additional free information.
- Lisa thanks the participants for joining the session and encourages them to implement the discussed strategies in their pharmacies.
- She reiterates the potential benefits of addressing drug-induced nutrient depletion through supplementation and patient education.