Each day, you are challenged to offer your customers a front-end category assortment that will complement their health and wellness needs, intrigue impulse buys and strengthen your bottom line. Braces, supports and compression hosiery are anchor categories for independent pharmacies. Once you cut through the noise of too many styles, sizes or brands, and see the scope of the consumer, you will discover a reliable, profitable category that turns through immediate-need buys, either as a cash and carry item, or through OTC/FSA insurance spending programs. 1. United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2015/type-of-injury-or-illness-and-body-parts-affected-by-nonfatal-injuries-and-illnesses-in-2014.htm 2. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/pediatrics/sports_injury_statistics_90,P02787 3. https://aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/pdf/76816/ib_SportsInjuries.pdf 4.Arthritis-Related Statistics. CDC. Updated January 25, 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm 5. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ Accessed 01/27/11. Front-end solutions: Braces, supports and compression hosiery Talk to your customers about their lifestyle needs and quality of life. Incorporate arthritis management and compression hosiery into your new patient consultations or recommend to patients and caregivers that visit your pharmacy to pick up prescriptions. Braces and supports Compression hosiery WHO IS THE CONSUMER? 1. Those suffering from workplace injuries1: especially those who suffered sprains, strains, or tears and need a median of 10 days away from work 2. Patients with hand injuries1: they account for up to 20% of all treated injuries in Emergency Rooms and can be acute minor soft tissue injuries, chronic repetitive strain such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) or Tennis Elbow, or fractures and complex injuries requiring nerve, tendon, or artery repair 3. Anyone with a sports injury: more than 3.5 million children get hurt annually playing sports or participating in recreational activities.2 Adults between the ages of 25 and 40 commonly injured in basketball and soccer have fractured or sprained ankles and knees.3 4. Patients with arthritis6: currently more than 22% of American adults have arthritis or another rheumatic condition, but by 2030, the number of adults with arthritis is expected to rise to 67 million WHAT OTHER CATEGORIES DOES THIS CONSUMER SHOP? • OTC Analgesics, Anti-inflammatories • Vitamins & Supplements: such as Collagen Supplements, Glucosamine and Chondroitin, and more WHO IS THE CONSUMER? 1. Any of the 80+ MILLION Americans who suffer from venous insufficiencies including varicose veins and spider veins.5 2. Women who are pregnant 3. Patients with the following co-morbidities: Hypertension, Emphysema, Diabetes, Skeletal/joint diseases (ie arthritis, fibromyalgia), or anyone, any age who stands or sits for long periods and experiences tired, achy feet or legs after a long day or during travel. WHAT OTHER CATEGORIES DOES THIS CONSUMER SHOP? • Rx, anticoagulants, antiemetics, pregnancy-related nausea (metoclopramide) • Vitamins: Pre-natal and BP recommended supplements such as Co-Enzyme Q10, Alpha-Linoleic, Fish Oil, Vitamin B complex
