#retailpharmacy

Patient Referral Programs: The Pharmacy Growth Strategy You NEED To Know

My #1 recommendation for pharmacy owners who are stuck at low prescription volumes and don't have a big marketing budget. If you're doing around 60-65 prescriptions a day and feeling like you've hit a plateau, this strategy is for you!

I break down why I believe a patient referral program is the most powerful tool for growing your pharmacy—especially when you're working with limited resources. I explain how to structure a compliant referral program that rewards your current patients (not new ones), why this approach works so well, and how it can create positive word-of-mouth that extends far beyond just prescription volume.

Highlights • Consumer healthcare firms continue expanding wellness and pharmacy service networks across regional markets • Retail pharmacy chains maintain broad product distribution through physical outlets and digital platforms • Healthcare service providers focus on prescription access, wellness programs, and customer engagement initiatives

Healthcare Services and Consumer Wellness Operations

The healthcare services sector includes pharmacy retail chains, wellness product distribution networks, and prescription service platforms serving households across urban and suburban communities. Consumer healthcare companies within this segment maintain extensive store operations, digital ordering systems, and wellness product portfolios supporting daily healthcare requirements. Several firms connected with s&p 500 dividend stocks continue emphasizing prescription services, healthcare accessibility, and pharmacy expansion initiatives throughout regional markets.

Retail Pharmacy Network Expansion

Major pharmacy operators continue strengthening retail presence through renovated store formats, prescription fulfillment centers, and wellness service counters. Pharmacy chains maintain broad inventories covering healthcare essentials, wellness supplements, skincare items, and seasonal healthcare products. Many locations also provide vaccination support, routine healthcare consultations, and prescription management services supporting community healthcare access.

Digital pharmacy services remain an important part of daily operations across the healthcare retail landscape. Mobile applications, online prescription renewals, and home delivery services continue supporting customer convenience. Consumer healthcare companies also maintain customer membership programs focused on wellness products and prescription savings initiatives across multiple regions.

Prescription Services and Wellness Programs

Prescription services remain central within the healthcare retail segment. Companies continue managing extensive prescription networks connected with healthcare providers and pharmaceutical suppliers. Automated prescription refill systems, customer reminder services, and digital tracking platforms remain widely used across pharmacy operations.

Wellness programs also remain prominent throughout healthcare retail organizations. These programs commonly include nutritional products, wellness consultations, health screening services, and preventive healthcare campaigns. Consumer healthcare providers continue expanding wellness product categories aligned with changing customer preferences across healthcare and personal care markets.

Several healthcare retail firms associated with regional income-focused market discussions, including s&p 500 dividend stocks, continue maintaining stable operational frameworks supported by prescription activity and recurring healthcare product demand.

Healthcare Distribution and Supply Management

Healthcare distribution systems remain essential across pharmacy and wellness sectors. Retail pharmacy operators coordinate with manufacturers, wholesalers, and healthcare suppliers to maintain inventory availability throughout distribution channels. Warehousing facilities, transportation systems, and inventory tracking platforms continue supporting pharmacy operations across regional networks.

Cold storage logistics and prescription handling procedures remain important for healthcare product management. Several pharmacy chains continue modernizing distribution centers with automated systems supporting order processing efficiency and inventory management accuracy. Consumer healthcare companies also maintain supplier partnerships supporting healthcare product availability across retail networks.

Seasonal healthcare demand patterns frequently influence product allocation and supply chain planning throughout pharmacy operations. Wellness products, healthcare essentials, and prescription medications remain among the most frequently managed product categories across healthcare retail channels.

Digital Healthcare Engagement

Digital healthcare engagement continues shaping customer interaction across pharmacy and wellness businesses. Online prescription management systems, virtual healthcare support, and customer communication platforms remain widely integrated throughout healthcare retail operations. Mobile healthcare applications also support prescription reminders, wellness product browsing, and pharmacy appointment scheduling.

Customer engagement initiatives frequently include wellness education campaigns, healthcare awareness programs, and seasonal healthcare information updates. Pharmacy companies continue using digital communication tools supporting customer access to healthcare information and service scheduling.

Several healthcare retailers continue integrating loyalty programs with digital pharmacy services, allowing customers to manage prescription records and wellness product purchases through centralized platforms. Digital payment systems and contactless service options also remain widely available throughout healthcare retail environments.

Consumer Healthcare Product Categories

Consumer healthcare firms maintain diverse product categories covering healthcare essentials, wellness supplements, skincare products, nutritional items, and personal care merchandise. Pharmacy retailers also distribute over-the-counter healthcare products supporting seasonal wellness requirements and routine healthcare management.

Healthcare retailers frequently adjust product displays and inventory allocation based on seasonal healthcare patterns and customer purchasing activity. Wellness products connected with nutrition, skincare, and preventive healthcare remain prominent across retail pharmacy shelves and digital marketplaces.

Several healthcare companies also maintain private-label healthcare products supporting affordability and product accessibility across consumer markets. These product categories continue expanding throughout pharmacy retail environments alongside prescription and wellness services.

Regional Healthcare Accessibility Initiatives

Healthcare accessibility remains an important focus throughout pharmacy retail operations. Many healthcare providers continue opening stores within underserved communities while expanding healthcare service availability across regional locations. Pharmacy operators also maintain community outreach programs connected with healthcare education and preventive wellness awareness.

Vaccination support services, wellness screenings, and healthcare consultations remain common across many pharmacy locations. Healthcare service providers continue collaborating with regional healthcare organizations supporting public healthcare initiatives and wellness outreach programs.

THE FORDHAM COLLEGE OF PHARMACY CLOSING

A number of factors impacted the closing of Fordham University's College of Pharmacy in 1972. Among them the national academic upgrading of pharmacist academic requirements; the changing role of independent pharmacies during the growth of chain retail stores; Fordham's lack of training pharmacy graduates for work in hospital settings as well as the industrial side of this field; The persistent rumor of then various school administrators' lack of support for retaining an expensive college at a Catholic Institution where most of the students were Jewish; Finally, the school's economic downturn in the 1970s bringing this to a head.

In 1910 Jacob Diner, M.D., both a pharmacist and physician, received permission to create the Fordham College of Pharmacy. He became the first Jewish dean in the history of the University. Opening in 1912, it moved into the building known today as Thebaud Hall in 1914.

(Fordham Centurion ©1941)

Fordham’s pharmacy program graduated thousands of pharmacists, some still practicing today. Back in 1967, due to rising costs and competition, Fordham decided to terminate the pharmacy program. The school ceased all operations in 1971 and the last class graduated in 1972.

Changes Began to Respace The Pharmaceutical Field In the 1960s 

By September 1960, all American colleges of pharmacy were required to change to a five-year program leading to the B.S. in Pharmacy degree. A primary objective at this time was to increase the number of elective hours of general university course work available to pharmacy undergraduate students. 

At the time of the establishment of the mandatory five-year program, a new six-year program, leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm. D.), was offered on an elective basis. The two programs were the professional practice program, which also included hospital pharmacy, and an industrial technology program. These programs not only replaced the former master's degree programs in hospital pharmacy and industrial pharmacy but also gave the student an opportunity to obtain additional work in the basic medical sciences.

The establishment of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965 resulted in an increase in the number of prescriptions, and the cost of prescription drugs. Government and insurance companies were seeking cost-effective therapies with improvements in quality of care. Managed care was developing at that time, which soon became a main challenge for pharmacists in the following decades.

The Growth of Chain Drug Stores Changed the Landscape

As with many retailers in the country during this time, drug stores were trying to adapt to the rapidly changing needs of the customer. CVS began differentiating itself from its competition by opening small health and beauty aids stores in enclosed shopping malls. According to Brian L. Friedman, an economist, in his Productivity Gains in the drugstore industry, 1958-79 Studies: “Large Chain stores, and groups of stores known as cooperatives have grown to dominate sales, where the number of independent stores has decreased significantly.” He added, in his report, “... chain stores have also placed retail locations in high-volume shopping areas.” 

“Pharmacists were finding in the 1960s that they could run their business reasonably,” said Louis Flacks, Fordham Pharmacy Class of 1963, who as an independent retailer owned 4 pharmacies. “Except they could not afford the ever increasing cost of their retail space.”  

Managed care was developing at that time, which soon became a main task for pharmacists in the following decades. 

Abu T. M. Serajuddin, PhD, is a Professor of Industrial Pharmacy at St. John's University. He came to the United States in 1973. Both he and his wife were pharmacists: “There was a shortage of pharmacists. It was a low paying job then. My wife, for example, was paid $6.25 per hour ($32 in 2024 dollars). The only way to make any money was to open your own pharmacy; perhaps a few of them.” 

(Joseph Slotnik, Pharmacy ‘32,  assembled apothecary bottles/jars as a pharmacist.) 

Fordham Only Prepared Their Pharmacy Grads For Retail Work

A retail pharmacist is a type of pharmacist that works in a drugstore, which can be small, independent pharmacies, pharmacy chains and pharmacies in larger stores. Retail pharmacists fill medication orders placed by doctors for customers who come into their pharmacy and often work with pharmacy technicians to fill these orders. Since they rarely work with IV medications, retail pharmacists have to know about pre-formulated medications, although some retail pharmacists do “compounding” work with medications.

Hospital pharmacists aren't a “public-facing” role like a retail pharmacist and work more with medical professionals than with patients.

Note: In my years as a pharmaceutical representative I spent much of my time calling on pharmacists, both in the retail and hospital setting. Since we sold a lot of medications both Prescription (Rx) and Over the Counter (OTC), we had to provide most of these products in single-dose packages for the hospital market; no bottles of 100 like you’ll see on the shelf of your local apothecary or even a supermarket. In addition, most of our sales, in the hospital side, whether OTC or Rx, were involved with a long, competitive bidding process; we seldom made money here but most drug companies figured it was better to have a patient start on your medications, during a short stay in the hospital, and then they were more prone to stay on our products when back home. 

So less preparation, by the hospital pharmacist, and lower costs at the purchase level. I offer this up for the next time you are looking at your bill from a hospital stay and question the cost of your medications. 

One of the biggest differences is that hospital pharmacists are required to do a residency that takes two years, although all other educational and licensing requirements are the same. This allows the clinical pharmacist to learn all the skills necessary to work in the hospital environment. Retail pharmacists are not required to have a residency. 

Industrial pharmacists work in companies that essentially manufacture medicines, however there are many different stages of this process, and pharmacists are involved in most of them. From initial design to public launch and sales. Although many pharmacists begin their industry careers in a lab-based role, (industrial) pharmacists work in many non-lab roles. For example in medicines information, regulatory affairs, marketing and business development. 

Note: Want to have some fun, ask your local pharmacist if a PhD in pharmacology can fill a prescription. They will gladly tell you no. However, this is a degree you will typically find in Research and Development departments, of drug and cosmetic companies or back at the university teaching, in academia’s own version of Amway,

“Fordham only prepared pharmacists for retail (drugstore work).” said Flack, who has a brother working in R&D for Calvin Klein in the field of fragrances. “There was no effort to train them for hospital work or provide industrial preparation.”

Too Many Jewish Kids?

Cornelius (Neil) Ryan, was a graduate of the College of Pharmacy. He had a Bachelor of Science from 1957. “Mister Ryan” (to me anyway) was very tall, cynical and a long time family friend of my parents. His younger son and my sister were born in the same hospital on the same day; both moms shared a room there and the families got to know each other. 

“The reason they closed the pharmacy school,” the former owner of Lakeside Pharmacy in Mahopac, New York, said on multiple occasions, “They were graduating too many jewish kids.” 

He died in 2012, that doesn’t prove much, so here we go.

In a different section of his memo Dean Kidder also urges “that no decision or action be made concerning this problem until after the Centennial of 1941.” He offers up the possibility of reducing “the proportion of non-Christians … even at slight financial loss.” As well as adjusting salaries “if, necessary.” Even combining the office of Dean and Regent, “... to maintain finances…”

Religious Statistics

Joseph O’Callaghan, PhD in an email response to my inquiry proposed the following question: “Were the authorities asking themselves, why are we educating a majority of students who are Jewish in the College of Pharmacy Sponsored by a Catholic University?” 

The Professor Emeritus in the History Department continued, ”I just read the section in (Monsignor) Thomas Shelley's history of Fordham,, pp.  196-200., in which he makes the point that the College of Pharmacy was founded in 1912 after the closure of the School of Medicine. (Note: Actually, the School of Medicine closed in 1920.) The person responsible for that was a Jew, Doctor Diner, who became the first dean of the College of Pharmacy. Then, when word got to the Jesuit General in Rome, a Polish count, he demanded that Dr.Diner be fired because he was a Jew. The General also asked why Fordham, a Catholic University, was educating Jews. Fordham's Jesuits generally reacted in support of Dr Diner and he remained in office until he resigned in 1932, because of ill health.”  

“With Chain-Store pharmacies, Managed Care and a lack of industry-specific training among pharmacy graduates, Fordham’s Program seemed doomed. But it got worse internally.” 

In 1968, Fordham, now confronted by what its President Leo McLaughlin, SJ called a "difficult and critical" financial situation; During the 1960s, declining enrollment and financial problems caused the Board of Trustees to vote to close the school. The school stopped accepting new students in 1967 and in June 1972 the last class graduated.

"The University has a critical need for immediate financial support in amounts never before obtained by this institution," reported Joseph Kaiser, Chairman of Fordham’s Lay Board of Trustees. The Fordham  Council, Group President, announced that week that the University must raise a minimum of $3.5 million—and hopes to achieve a goal of $8.5 million-by June 30, 1969 ($76 million in 2024 dollars).

“The funds are needed,” according to a statement from President McLaughlin, who served Fordham from 1965 to 1969 and then as chancellor for another year, "to  support  the current building program, and to redeem the advances made from reserve funds to initiate early construction."

“Measures to meet the financial crisis include a $8.5 million fundraising drive, securing of a $3 million loan, a freeze on expenditures, a slashing review,” continued the reformer president, who eventually left the Jesuit Order and married, “to explain the financial situation and allay the rumored fear that ‘Fordham is bankrupt.’" 

The main campus boiler plant in the basement of Thebaud Hall has been supplying steam-based power to the Fordham University campus since first constructed in 1886.

College of Pharmacy: Last Ditch Effort To Raise Money

I spoke with Raymond Macioci, Class of 1971, who is in contact with 36 classmates who are “still alive and kicking, at last count.” Mr. Macioci mentioned, “They (Fordham’s Administration) did freeze out tuition at $625 dollars per semester. So this guaranteed we could graduate, but it also ensured there would be no money available to update the building or purchase newer equipment.”

During the 1960s, declining enrollment, heavier academic expectations, changes in the industry and financial problems caused the Board of Trustees to vote to close the school. The school stopped accepting new students in 1967 and in June 1972 the last class graduated.

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Decreases in Class Size; Financial Problems; Loss of Accreditation 

Raymond Macioci, Class of 1971 is the co-owner of Pilgrim Pharmacy in The Bronx, who tried to schedule a 50th anniversary reunion in 2021, however, “the pandemic saw to it that we did not.”  He answered a few additional questions.

Question: Can you give an example of how the school was experiencing severe financial problems? 

Answer: “The labs in Thebaud Hall were ancient. When the medical school was still active (1920) they used Thebaud for lab work. I believe we were still using some of that equipment during my time as a student.”

Question: Was the pharmacy school alumni supportive or not? 

Answer: (He recalls) “...going to alumni meetings as a student and finding them supportive but somewhat reluctant since the decision had already been made-by that time-to phase the school out.” 

Question: Mr. Flacks (Class of 1963) had gone so far as to tell me that “the Jesuits wanted to turn Fordham into the Berkeley of the East.” Was pharmacy a little too button-down or even “trade school-ish” for Fordham?  

Answer: “Yes! But remember something, pharmacists were viewed as merchants and the only college educated shop-keepers.”

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Final Word From Mr. Jacob Flacks, Pharmacy ‘63: “They lost a lot of students between 1959 and 1963” Mr. Flacks, who is a board member of the prestigious Alpha Zeta Omega ​​Pharmaceutical Fraternity stated, “We started out with 144 students and finished with a graduation class of 88.” He added, (Those graduating) “... included eight women, one was a Carmelite Nun who was going to use her degree to run the pharmacy back in her convent.”

 -Kevin Bergin

This article originally appeared on the Fordham University Class of 1980 Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/537184563628982

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3rd Article on Closed of Colleges at Fordham University:

Fordham College Medical School and The Impact of The Flexner Report

Marymount College, Fordham Prep & A Farm in The Bronx

The U.S. pharmacy market size is expected to reach USD 708.9 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.67% from 2023 to 2030. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the aging population, and expanding healthcare coverage, which leads to a higher demand for healthcare services and medications. This expansion of healthcare coverage is expected to provide more people with access to necessary medications.

U.S. Pharmacy Market Report Highlights

Based on type, the retail pharmacy segment held the largest market share in 2022 owing to easy accessibility and the presence of multiple retail pharmacy chains across the country

Based on product type, the prescription segment held the largest revenue share in 2022, owing to the increasing burden of chronic diseases and the growing aging population

Based on the ownership, the pharmacy chains segment held the largest market share in 2022 owing to the emergence of large hospital and corporation chains that offer convenient and cost-effective services, including specialty drugs, mail-order prescriptions, and other services

The market has witnessed significant vertical and horizontal consolidations in recent years, which is expected to improve services

The market potential is driving a number of service providers to strengthen their market presence by opening new centers and entering into partnerships. For instance, in October 2021, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) announced an investment of USD 5.2 billion in VillageMD, a primary care provider. The investment allow VillageMD to open 600 new primary care practices in over 30 US markets by 2025, more than half of which will be located in underserved communities

For More Details or Sample Copy please visit link @: U.S. Pharmacy Market Report

In addition to these factors, the market players are introducing improved services and transitioning towards e-pharmacy, which is expected to contribute to market growth in the U.S. For instance, in February 2022, Medicure Inc. launched its Marley drug pharmacy, which is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce pharmacy platform. The platform offers over 100 chronic care medications and free delivery to any location in the U.S. and some territories. These developments are anticipated to have a positive impact on market growth.

Furthermore, the number of pharmacies in the country for drug distribution is increasing due to the rapid growth in the number of prescriptions, which is expected to have a positive impact on market growth. The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) reported that the number of independent pharmacies in the U.S. increased by 12.9% from 2010 to 2019. In 2010, there were 20,427 independent pharmacies in the U.S., while in 2019, there were 23,061. This increase in the number of independent pharmacies is expected to contribute to the growth of the U.S. pharmacy industry.

List of Key Players in the U.S. Pharmacy Market

CVS Health

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

Walmart Stores, Inc

Cigna Healthcare

Rite Aid Corp

The Kroger Company

Albertsons Companies, Inc

UnitedHealth Group (OptumRx)

Cardinal Health, Inc

Humana pharmacy solution

E-Pharmacy is a business model like traditional pharmacies, deals with the sale of prescription and non-prescription drugs. It is called E-Pharmacy, as it sells from online pharmacies by accepting orders online and delivering the drugs to their customers.

Offline pharmacies or traditional pharmacies are the most accessible healthcare service to the general public. They either supply medicines with a prescription or, when legally permitted, sell them without one. Aside from ensuring an accurate supply of appropriate products, their professional activities also include patient counselling at the time of drug dispensing, drug information to health professionals, patients, and the general public.

With the growth of e-commerce and increased internet access, epharmacy has emerged as a new era of pharmacy. With the internet being such an integral part of our lives, it’s no wonder that pharmacies began to shift to an online platform. So, what exactly is an online pharmacy? An online pharmacy is a company that prepares and sells prescription and non-prescription medications. They accept orders online and deliver the medications to their customers.

Choosing which platform to buy your medications from is always influenced by the individual’s mindset. Few people place a high value on money, while others place a high value on time. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing medications from an E-Pharmacy and an Offline Pharmacy.

E-pharmacies are growing as a critical component in India. E-pharmacies provide important and helpful services to Indian citizens that are much more required in light of the Covid-19 concerns.

Retail pharmacy is more trustworthy to people because of their convenient features and running for ages, but E-pharmacy also follows all government policies and regulations. And with time, E-pharmacy will gain more trust as they are already removing frauds happening.