Health isn’t just prescriptions. It’s information, education, and empowerment.

So instead of waiting for your community to walk in with a script, bring your expertise to them when they least expect it.

Try this:

• Host a Monthly 5-Minute Health Tip at your library, rec center, or coffee shop. Topics can range from allergy season survival to how to read a supplement label.
• Partner with the local bookstore for a “Storytime & Snacks” featuring children’s health literacy or emotional wellness themes.
• Offer a “Talk to the Pharmacist” tent at the weekly farmers market. No sales. Just support.

These unexpected but valuable moments are what set you apart from national chains—and create memories your neighbors won’t forget.

To market your pharmacy effectively, you need to tap into what your community actually cares about—not what you think they care about.

Start with a little old-fashioned recon:

• Read the local newspaper or town newsletter. What issues come up?
• Talk to school nurses, barbers, coaches, and church leaders.
• Ask your current patients: “What do you think the community needs more of when it comes to health?”

What you’ll find might surprise you. Maybe there’s a lack of teen mental health support. Maybe folks are confused about changes in Medicare. Maybe nobody’s talking about menopause.

This is where your role as a trusted health voice comes into play. By tuning in and stepping up, you become a connector and resource—not just a place to pick up meds.

Pharmacies have always had big hearts. But what if your giving became part of your growth plan?

Here’s how to create a giving strategy that supports your mission and builds visibility:

• Sponsor a “Pharmacy Gives Back” Month where $1 from every flu shot goes toward a local charity.
• Start a Scholarship Fund for future health professionals in your town.
• Launch a Free Little Hygiene Box (like a mini pantry but for travel-size essentials) outside your pharmacy with your logo and refill schedule.
• Sponsor a local youth sports team with your pharmacy’s name on jerseys, banners, or event programs to build visibility and community pride.

Not only do these initiatives serve your community—they get people talking about your business in a way that feels deeply human.

“People don’t forget the businesses that show up for them. Especially when no one else does.”

If you’re not part of local boards, councils, and planning committees, it’s time to pull up a chair.

Yes, you’re a business owner. But you’re also a healthcare advocate, a job creator, and a community stakeholder.

Here are some places to start:

• Join the Economic Development Committee or Health Advisory Board
• Apply for a seat on the school district wellness committee
• Attend monthly business breakfasts hosted by your Chamber of Commerce

Why does this matter?

Because these are the places where decisions are made that directly impact your patients. When you have a seat at the table, you can advocate for access, funding, and inclusion—and keep your pharmacy visible in the process.

We get it—community efforts can feel untrackable. But here’s a simple mindset shift:

If someone mentions your name in a room full of people, that’s marketing.
If a parent refers another mom to your pharmacy after soccer practice, that’s ROI.
If a town council member stops by to thank you after a local forum, that’s data.

Start a “Community Impact” tracker where you log:

• Local events attended
• People met
• New patients who said, “I saw you at…”

You’ll be surprised how often your efforts translate into long-term growth.

Marketing your pharmacy to the community doesn’t mean adding a new task to your list. It means weaving your business into the everyday life of your neighborhood.

People remember who showed up when it mattered. Who sponsored their kid’s team. Who gave out free water on a hot parade day. Who educated them at the farmer’s market.

Be that pharmacy. Be that person.

Pick one idea from this blog and put it into action over the next 30 days. Then, share it with us at [email protected] or tag us on LinkedIn using #IPCCommunityPharmacy.

• 📍 Did you speak at a local event?
• 📍 Launch a hygiene box?
• 📍 Set up a farmers market booth?

We want to spotlight how IPC members across the country are making an impact—because what you do matters, and it deserves to be seen.