Pharmacy visitors are made up of multiple segments of the society, who visit for many different reasons, such as to receive information and advice from pharmacists and picking up medicine for influenza and colds. For this reason, pharmacies need to cater to very diverse patient needs. The reasons why women in particular visit pharmacies are interesting and diverse. In conjunction with International Women's Day on 8 March, here is a deeper look on how pharmacists can help cater to the fairer sex. 1. Women as mothers Whether a first-time mother or a mother of four, women may come to the pharmacy with various kinds of needs for their children. The children segment is an important reason that mothers frequent the pharmacy, so pharmacies should always ensure that they are well-stocked in pediatric medications, formula and supplements to cater to the needs of this group of women. New mothers will usually have unique needs starting from pregnancy until birth. Women who are new to breastfeeding, for instance, may need advice on breastfeeding products such as pumps and creams. 2. Women as caregivers Besides their role as parents, many women are also caregivers. They may have to provide care for their elderly parents, spouse, or other family members with specific healthcare needs at home. Women who are caregivers may need advice on medication, supplements and other products, especially those who have no prior knowledge or experience in caregiving. This is where pharmacists can play a major role as “care partners” to support caregivers. Without proper help and support, these women are very likely to experience stress, causing them to feel distressed and helpless which later might affect their own well-being. 3. Women who are undergoing biological changes Women go through several significant stages of biological change throughout their lives, most of which include prominent physical and physiological changes from puberty, to pregnancy, menopause and so on. Such changes often present different individual needs, and the pharmacy is the likely place for women to go to for products to address these issues, such as such as menstrual pain relief pills, supplements, female hygiene products and more. Additionally, advice from pharmacists can be extremely useful in these cases, especially in this day and age where they can read a good deal on the Internet, and need clarifications. As such, pharmacists can play a crucial role by giving valuable advice, correcting misconceptions as well as providing appropriate recommendations based on each woman’s individual needs. 4. Women who focus on beauty and grooming The impact of various commercial advertisements, magazines and beauty-related blogs and social media posts on women today is tremendous, causing an added focus on beauty and personal grooming. It is not uncommon to see a pharmacy all sold out ofa beauty product, simply because of an advertisement that was recently posted online. However, there is also a major downside: women may be exposed to different kinds of risks when they are not well-informed about aspects such as the possible side effects of these products. This is where pharmacists are needed to educate and increase awareness among women, such as giving them guidance in order to choose the right products, and provide advice on a proper and regular skin care regimen. Source
