Bob Kwait

As the marketplace begins to open up and people begin to try to rebuild their lives and begin to shop in the stores again, it is critical for the pharmacy industry to recognize the role it has played and will continue to play in health care and wellness. This was emphasized to some degree in a NBC “Today Show” interview in the early part of June. U.S. News & World Report publishes a yearly list of the top recommended health products by category. The list contains over 100 product segments and over 1,000 brands within those categories. This list provides a trusted source for pharmacists and patients.

The “Today Show” broke that list down to six leading categories:

• Pain Relief — Tylenol
• Allergies — Claritin
• Cold & Flu — Theraflu
• Upset Stomach — Pepcid
•  Hand Sanitizer — Purell and Hibiclens
• Insect Bites — After Bite

These products should be kept at home in the medicine cabinet as a proactive approach to wellness.

It occurred to me that as part of wellness and good health, retailers should be preparing a store kit to be purchased by the consumer that contains products from these key areas for their good health. The brands being named are the best brands in the category, and the idea of a kit to maintain good health is critical for the consumer.

It is also not a bad idea to create a kit of private brands of the top items for the consumer. In this way the consumer would receive their products at reduced prices, which they can well afford and be prepared for any condition that can come up in these categories. Preventative care remains a high priority to most consumers. A prepared kit shows another proactive example of what is needed to educate consumers on how to sustain their good health in these trying times.

It appears we are not over this pandemic, and the pharmacists in drug stores, supermarkets and mass retailers will continue to play an important role going forward. Retailers should be offering incentives for people receiving their vaccine with coupons for purchases within the store. This is important, as the role now is going to change from government to retail, and retail must play an essential role in the future of health care.

Bob Kwait is chairman of Kwait & Associates/Bob Kwait Consulting Group.