As families gear up for a new school year, pharmacies are uniquely positioned to help their communities make a smooth and healthy transition. Back-to-school season isn’t just about new backpacks and sharpened pencils—it’s also a prime time for pharmacies to offer essential services, products, and education that support students, parents, and teachers alike.
Here’s how your pharmacy can prepare to meet the needs of back-to-school shoppers and stand out as a trusted health destination:
Prepare your Front-of-House (FOH) for back-to-school
Your pharmacy front-of-house sets the tone for the customer experience—and during back-to-school season, it should be both practical and engaging. Create a well-organized seasonal section or endcap that includes:
-
Common school essentials: Hand sanitizer, tissues, disinfecting wipes, thermometers, kids’ multivitamins, and allergy relief
-
First-aid and wellness items: Bandages, cold and flu medication, sore throat lozenges, pain relievers, and lice treatments
-
Healthy snacks and hydration: Granola bars, low-sugar beverages, and electrolyte powders—perfect for lunch boxes and after-school activities
-
Convenience items: Travel-sized products, sunscreen, insect repellent, and lunchbox-ready supplies
-
Wellness bundles: Consider themed kits for teachers, college students, or young athletes
These products are always in demand at this time of year, and a well-curated display can boost basket size while offering real value to your community.
Quick tip: Make sure your displays are eye-catching and organized by theme (e.g., “Classroom Ready” or “Stay Healthy This Semester”).
Stock up on medications & vaccines
Back-to-school also means a sharp uptick in prescriptions and immunization needs. Be sure your pharmacy is ready by:
- Stocking common back-to-school vaccines: Many states require immunizations like Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), polio, hepatitis B, and varicella (chickenpox) before children can attend school. Make sure you’re equipped to administer or refer for these vaccines as needed.
- Offering routine immunizations to protect the broader community: In addition to school-required vaccines, ensure your inventory includes seasonal flu shots and COVID-19 boosters.
These protect not only students, but also teachers, staff, and family members—especially those with compromised immune systems. - Anticipating increased demand for ADHD medications: Many children take “drug holidays” over the summer, leading to a spike in back-to-school prescriptions for controlled substances like amphetamine salts, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate, and dexmethylphenidate. Review your ordering patterns and controlled medication supply in advance.
- Preparing for infection-related scripts: With students returning to shared indoor spaces, expect more prescriptions for antibiotics to treat strep throat, ear infections, and respiratory illnesses.
Educate on school-related illnesses
Classrooms and shared spaces can be hotspots for illness, especially in the early weeks of the school year. Your pharmacy can play a key role in helping families recognize, prevent, and manage the most common school-related health issues.
Focus your education efforts on illnesses that tend to spread quickly among kids, such as:
- Strep throat, pink eye, and head lice
- Flu, RSV, and seasonal colds
- Stomach bugs and other viral infections
Provide tips on when to seek care, how to prevent spreading illness (like proper handwashing and cough etiquette), and when it’s best for children to stay home. Use in-store signage, bag stuffers, social media, and short conversations at the counter to deliver these messages.
Sharing timely, practical health advice helps position your pharmacy as a trusted partner in keeping students—and schools—healthy.
Leverage social media for back-to-school campaigns
Social media is one of your most powerful tools for building awareness, driving foot traffic, and connecting with families during the back-to-school season. With the right strategy, you can stay top of mind for parents, teachers, and even older students looking for fast, convenient care and trusted health advice.
Here are some ways to get the most out of your organic content:
- Highlight seasonal must-haves: Post photos and videos of your front-end displays, bundled kits, or featured OTC items. A quick reel or carousel featuring “What to Grab for the First Week of School” can encourage in-store visits.
- Share wellness tips and reminders: Offer practical advice like packing a healthy lunch, establishing a sleep routine, or building immune-boosting habits. Position your pharmacy team as go-to health experts with quick, helpful posts.
- Promote services like vaccinations, medication synchronization, school physicals, or after-hours access. Make it easy to book appointments with clear calls to action that link directly to your appointment scheduler.
- Engage with the community: Host a giveaway for school supplies, share posts from local schools or PTA pages, or ask followers to comment with their back-to-school goals.
Run targeted paid ads to expand your reach
In addition to organic posting, consider using paid social media ads to boost visibility and attract new customers. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow you to target users by age, location, and interests—perfect for reaching:
Parents of school-aged children: Promote immunizations, back-to-school health bundles, or appointment scheduling.
College students and young adults: Advertise campus-care kits, mental health support products, or weekend availability.
Teachers and school staff: Share content about flu shots, wellness tips, and discounts just for educators.
A small ad spend during the months of July, August, or early September can go a long way in increasing foot traffic and appointment bookings—especially if you’re promoting services that require planning ahead, like vaccinations.
Need assistance preparing for and promoting back-to-school efforts?
Reach out to us today for assistance improving workflows for your services and promoting your pharmacy as the go-to destination for back-to-school prep in your community.
