The recipient of a PhD in pharmacy from Oregon State University, Ashok Pinnamaraju guides Williamson Road Pharmacy in Virginia as owner and head pharmacist. To better serve his customers, Ashok Pinnamaraju provides guidance for both prescription and over-the-counter products.Each summer millions of Americans hit the beach or the backyard to take advantage of the sunshine. However, sun exposure can cause a number of health complications, from cosmetic issues such as wrinkles and age spots to life-threatening diseases such as skin cancer. In recent years, public health initiatives have stressed the importance of wearing sunscreen during outdoor activities, but studies have shown that many people do not understand how to choose the correct product for their needs.As such, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) recommends that pharmacists become familiar with different types of sunscreen and be prepared to provide guidance to customers. Pharmacists should be especially fluent with the current labeling schemes on sunscreen products, which can be confusing for customers. These labels, which are required by the FDA, should indicate the level of the skin protection factor (SPF) and whether the product is waterproof.For most people, a waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is the best choice. However, experts point out that each person is different, and these requirements can vary depending on the customer’s age and specific health concerns.
The owner and pharmacist of Williamson Road Pharmacy in Virginia, Ashok Pinnamaraju, possesses more than a decade of experience in the field. He began his career as a pharmacist at Walgreens and later served as the owner of Lexcare Pharmacy. Throughout his career, Ashok Pinnamaraju has maintained a strong commitment to customer service and both he and his company have a reputation for providing superior patient care.Good customer service plays an essential role in maintaining and increasing customer satisfaction and retention for pharmacies. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to ensure pharmacy customers receive top-quality service. Below are a few examples:- Train employees well. Although many pharmacy owners try hiring employees with great people skills, these skills still need development through ongoing training. All pharmacy employees should receive routine training to maintain standards of positive and friendly behavior toward customers.- Listen. Few things infuriate customers as much as feeling ignored. Combat this by giving customers a chance to share their feelings or express concerns. Further, pharmacies can request feedback from customers about what they should improve and interact with their customers through social media.- Take responsibility. Taking responsibility for a mistake allows pharmacies to demonstrate that they value their customers. Any problems or complaints should be handled quickly, and customers should receive a personal notice if their prescription is delayed. Apology notes, small discounts, and gift cards also show customer appreciation following an issue.- Go the extra mile. Offering extra services can help a pharmacy stand out from the competition and demonstrate customer value. Whether a pharmacy special orders a product or home delivers prescriptions to a customer without a car, customers notice the extra effort and are more likely to return.
