How to Start Same-Day Medicine Delivery in Your Pharmacy

Same-day medicine delivery is becoming more popular with pharmacy customers. 

They want the convenience of having their prescriptions delivered right to their door without the hassle of driving to the pharmacy.

According to ASOP Global, 74% of customers who have purchased medicines online and had them delivered would do so again. That’s an incredible opportunity for you to reach a wider net of customers without needing them ever to enter your building. 

This article will teach you everything you need to know about launching same-day delivery for your pharmacy.

What Is Same-Day Medicine Delivery?

Same-day medicine delivery is a pharmacy service that delivers medications to customers on the same day they are ordered. It is becoming more popular as customers increasingly value convenience and time savings.

This transition to delivery has only been driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people are staying home and prefer to have everything brought straight to their doorstep.

Real-World Examples of Same-Day Medicine Delivery in Pharmacies 

Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid are all examples of pharmacies with same-day delivery services available to their customers.

• Walgreens launched same-day prescription delivery in May of 2021, with delivery times as quick as two hours for $12.99 per order.
• CVS Pharmacy launched same-day delivery for $7.99 in 2019 and offered a free next-day delivery service on orders over $49.
• Publix launched same-day delivery for prescriptions for as little as $5 back in May 2020.
• For a fee, Rite Aid offers various delivery services, including next-day and same-day delivery.

Why Is Same-Day Medicine Delivery in Pharmacies Becoming More Popular?

First and foremost, customers appreciate that they can get their prescriptions without leaving home.

Second, many pharmacies offer discounts for first-time users of their same-day delivery service. This encourages new customers to use it and makes them more likely to stick with one pharmacy for the long term.

Third, pharmacies can keep a more extensive inventory of drugs on hand. They will be less likely to run out of popular prescriptions.

Finally, same-day delivery helps pharmacies build loyalty among their customers by offering a service that is convenient and trustworthy. Nothing makes your business grow quicker than satisfied customers.

Why does your pharmacy need to offer same-day medicine delivery to customers?

In a world where people are busier than ever and time is precious, the ability to order medication and have it delivered to their door on the same day is a valuable service.

In addition to meeting customer needs, offering same-day delivery is a great way to set your pharmacy apart from the competition.

More pharmacies than ever are now offering online ordering and home delivery, so it can be tough to stand out. In reality, other businesses are constantly innovating and looking for more ways to get a competitive edge.

If you’re not doing the same, you could be left behind.

One of the common issues that arise with medicine delivery is the quality of delivery. Medicine must arrive in perfect condition and be stored at the proper temperatures. Delivering same-day ensures that it reaches the customer as quickly as possible to remain effective for consumption.

Challenges Pharmacies Face when Setting Up Same-Day Medicine Delivery

When implementing a same-day medicine delivery system, pharmacies face a few challenges.

The first challenge is ensuring that all medications are properly labeled and stored before loading them onto the delivery vehicle. This is another area where maintaining HIPAA compliance is vital. Mislabeling or including the wrong information on a label could lead to an expensive violation. 

Make sure you and your team are up-to-date on becoming HIPAA compliant.

Another challenge that pharmacies face is having enough staff to handle the influx of orders that come in during the first few weeks of launching a same-day delivery service. You would be surprised by the number of orders you receive, so make sure you have plenty of hands available to help you process them.

It is equally important to ensure that all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are familiar with the new system. They can help process orders and ensure that customers receive their needed medications.

How to Start Same-Day Medicine Delivery in Your Pharmacy

There are a few key things to consider when starting same-day delivery in your pharmacy.

Step 1: Know What Type of Medications You Will Be Delivering

Consider the types of medicines that you will offer for delivery. Not all medications can be delivered safely and effectively on the same day, so focusing on products best suited for this service is essential.

If you work with a medical courier, ask them what their capabilities are regarding temperature control. While the best medical courier or pharmacy delivery driver provides this, not all of them will.

Step 2: Know What Area You Will Be Covering

Consider the delivery area that you will be serving. You want to ensure that your delivery radius is large enough to encompass all your customers. Otherwise, you may lose business. 

Step 3: Decide on a Service

You can launch same-day medicine delivery for your pharmacy in different ways, with some options easier than others.

You can launch your own same-day medicine delivery service, partner with a courier service like Dropoff, or hire a pharmacy delivery driver.

Option 1: Launch Your Own System

Build your own software to place, track, and execute online orders for delivery.

Pros:

• You gain complete control over the process.
• You completely own the delivery systems and can change them however you like.

Cons:

• It takes a significant amount of time and money to get started.
• You have to maintain the vehicles and deal with all relevant costs.
• You have to hire and manage more staff with more diverse responsibilities.

Option 2: Partner with a 3PL

Partner with a full-service logistics partner like Dropoff that handles the software and deliveries. 

All you have to do is schedule the delivery.

Researching and finding a company that best fits your needs is essential. Make sure to compare medical courier service rates, delivery times, and reviews before deciding.

Pros:

• You can start offering same-day medicine delivery almost immediately.
• You have a dedicated partner company that is an expert in medical deliveries.
• Staff and vehicle costs are entirely outsourced.
• They already have the technology for quality assurance, tracking, and customer satisfaction.
• With the right medical courier, HIPAA compliance is a breeze.

Cons:

• Less control over the delivery processes.
• You don’t own the software.

Option 3: Hire a Pharmacy Delivery Driver 

Hire a pharmacy delivery driver that handles the deliveries. 

Pros:

• Customers receive their medications promptly.
• You and your staff can focus on other tasks or areas of the business.
• You can start offering same-day medicine delivery almost immediately.

Cons:

• It is more expensive to pay them compared to regular staff members. 
• There is always a risk of delays or damage to products during deliveries.
• You don’t own the software.

Of these three options, the most common choice for pharmacies is partnering with a 3PL provider. Big companies like CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens have taken a similar approach to outsourcing their medicine deliveries.

Check out our guide on how to choose a third-party logistics provider.

Now let’s take a look at some of the critical steps you’ll need to take no matter which option you choose:

• Ensure your staff is properly trained to use the software or app.
• Work out the kinks in your process before launching to the public.
• Choose delivery times that work for both your customers and staff.
• Promote your new service to your existing customer base.
• Make sure your medical courier or pharmacy delivery driver follows all HIPAA guidelines.

Follow these steps, and you will launch same-day medicine delivery in your pharmacy quickly and efficiently.

Step 4: Create Delivery Protocols

The next step is to create delivery protocols. This includes deciding how orders will be placed, what information will be needed from the customer, and how payments will be processed. 

Be sure to document these protocols so that all staff members can follow them.

Partnering with us means you will access our advanced tracking features that allow you to monitor all your orders in real time. 

Step 5: Train Your Staff

Train your staff on the new delivery procedures. All employees involved in the process should thoroughly understand all protocols. This will help ensure a smooth and successful launch of your same-day medicine delivery program.

You will need at least one person dedicated to coordinating same-day deliveries. They must know your inventory and operating procedures.

Your staff should know how to pack orders securely and efficiently, load them into the delivery vehicle, and track them. Generally, not all your staff members will be responsible for this, but it is handy when you are shorthanded. 

Check out how Dropoff helped Partell Compounding Pharmacy deliver medication and saved their pharmacists 8 hours of tedious work every week.

Step 6: Recommend Your Service to Customers 

Once you have launched your same-day medicine delivery service, you need to start educating your staff and customers on the program so that it gets adopted quickly.

The sooner your customers adopt the program, the faster you’ll begin to see consistent sales growth in your pharmacy.

Promote it on your website and social media. Place signage around your store or in your windows so customers can’t help but see it. And most importantly, make sure your staff is trained to recommend it to customers when they enter the store.

Step 7: Pay Attention to Customer Feedback 

As customers adopt this new program, pay attention to their feedback. Ensure that you’re making quick improvements so your customers stay happy.

Step 8: Monitor Your Revenue Growth and Other Metrics 

Monitor your revenue growth. Launching a same-day delivery service for your business is to increase your revenue and reach new customers. Set goals, measure your growth, and make changes to help you reach your goals.

Revenue isn’t the only valuable metric. There are plenty of metrics to track, such as on-time delivery, the number of deliveries per day, the rate at which you acquire new customers, and so much more. Almost every metric is valuable to understanding how your customers use your services and how to reach more.

Learn the difference between closed-door pharmacy vs. retail pharmacy.

What Is a Pharmacy Delivery Driver?

A pharmacy delivery driver is responsible for delivering medication and medical supplies to a pharmacist. 

Their duties include inspecting the delivery vehicle, reporting mechanical issues, maintaining a clean and organized vehicle, driving to designated locations, unloading and loading cargo, and obtaining a signature to confirm the delivery of their products.

How Dropoff Can Help with Same-Day Medicine Delivery

In today’s fast-paced world, there is an increasing demand for same-day delivery services. Pharmacies are no exception. 

For years, Dropoff has helped healthcare facilities nationwide to meet this demand. Our expertise and experience have allowed us to provide a reliable and cost-effective same-day delivery solution for pharmacies. 

Our pharmacy delivery drivers are background-checked and insured, and our cutting-edge tracking system ensures that your deliveries will arrive on time every time. With Dropoff, you can focus on what you do best, running your pharmacy, while we take care of the delivery logistics.

Talk with a Dropoff expert, and we can help launch a delivery program for your business in no time.

FAQs on Same-Day Medicine Delivery 

1. How do I schedule a delivery?

Scheduling a delivery is simple:

• Log into your Dropoff account to view the Order page.
• Add your order details.
• Review your order and click the “SUBMIT ORDER” button.

2. How fast do you deliver?

We offer multiple time frames depending on the time of day your order is placed and mileage. This includes 4-hour, 2-hour, and 90-min windows.

3. I have sensitive items to be delivered. Does Dropoff offer temperature control?

Yes. If you have specific requirements for your items, you can include them when you place your order. We offer temperature control for sensitive items, such as pharma products, laboratory specimens, foods and beverages, and botanicals.

4. Can I track my deliveries in real time?

Yes. Your Dropoff portal lets you track your deliveries in real-time on a live map once your delivery is submitted and accepted by our pharmacy delivery driver. You can access the portal from a link to our email confirmations or the View Your Dropoffs page on our Client site.

5. What kind of credentials do your pharmacy delivery drivers have?

We thoroughly screen all of our pharmacy delivery drivers with the most exhaustive federal and local criminal background checks and DMV driving history reports. Only those that pass our stringent criteria become drivers, and we continually monitor our customer ratings and reviews and evaluate their performance using objective data. 

In addition, our drivers are HIPAA-compliant, carry four levels of insurance for added protection, wear Dropoff uniforms, and drive Dropoff-branded vehicles.