A marketing column designed for pharmacists (by Marilou Brouillet)

There are people who come into your pharmacy with two lists of medications. Their own. And someone else's. They ask questions for someone who isn't there. They manage refills, interactions, dosage schedules. They know their parent's, spouse's, or child's medical history by heart. And often, they do all of this in silence, without anyone truly noticing. These people are informal caregivers. And they are probably more numerous than we realize. An understated profile In Quebec, it's estimated that nearly one in four adults acts as an informal caregiver at some point in their life. Some do it full-time, others between two work meetings and three phone calls. What they have in common: they carry a lot. And they often neglect themselves. National Caregivers Day, on April 4th, is an opportunity to name them. To see them. To tell them, clearly, that your pharmacy is a place where they can come with their questions, their fatigue, and their reality — without having to explain everything from the beginning. What you already do for them Before even talking about communication, take a moment to realize what your team accomplishes daily for this clientele. You synchronize refills to simplify their visits. You take the time to explain drug interactions to someone managing several patients under one roof. You recognize their faces, you know their situations, you adapt your support without being asked. It's care. And most of the time, it goes unnoticed — both by them and by you. April 4th is the time to make it visible. Why communicate on this topic There's a persistent misconception in the healthcare industry: talking about a vulnerable clientele is risky. It could seem opportunistic. It touches on intimate realities. But there's a difference between capitalizing on a cause and genuinely committing to it. If your pharmacy already supports informal caregivers — and it does, even without a formal program — talking about it isn't a marketing strategy. It's an act of recognition. It's telling them: we see you, we know what you carry, and we are here. That message has value. For them. And for your positioning as a human and community-rooted pharmacy. What you can do concretely On your social media A post on April 4th that recognizes informal caregivers without infantilizing them. A short, sincere message that speaks to their daily reality and reminds them that your team is there to lighten their load, not add to it. If you have a testimony from a team member who is an informal caregiver themselves, you could highlight it with their consent. In your branch A poster, a display, a note at the cash register. Something that says: are you a caregiver? We have resources for you. It doesn't cost much and can change a conversation. In your regular communication April 4th can be a starting point, not a one-off. An article in your newsletter. A series of posts that describe, week after week, how your pharmacy supports this specific clientele. What PHARMALEAD can do for you Identifying an opportunity like this is one thing. Turning it into consistent, authentic, and well-distributed content is another. At PHARMALEAD, we work with pharmacies and clinics that want to communicate with intention — not just publish for the sake of publishing. We know your sector, we know your constraints, and we know how to talk to your patients without sounding hollow. For a day like April 4th, we can create the visuals, texts, and complete distribution schedule for you — before, during, and after the day. Content that reflects you, respects your values, and arrives at the right time. That's healthcare marketing done right. The message that matters Informal caregivers aren't looking for a medal. They're looking for competent and human people around them to help them cope. Your pharmacy is already one of those places. It's time to tell them. ─────•───── Want to mark April 4th with content that truly reflects who you are? We'll take care of it. Let's talk. Note: The masculine form is used in this article for readability, without discrimination. The information presented is current as of March 2026 and reflects current best practices in local marketing for the healthcare sector.

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