Alpha Pharmacies serve the largest cross section of the South African population. And unlike the large corporates that place themselves in the hub of the higher income communities, we have to accept our diversity as part of what makes us unique.
Differentiating ourselves from other pharmacy groups is a critical part of our strategic focus. Understanding that we are the largest primary health care provider in the country means seeing health and service holistically. For this reason, we have developed Alpha Sense as a unique offering to our franchise offering.
Alpha Sense will incorporate audiology and in the near future, ophthalmics will become an aspect of what you will be able to offer your greater community as an additional service.
Recently 22 of our Alpha Clin Clinics took up the offering of a free service hearing kiosk. The highly accurate hear screen technology built into the kiosk helps customers test their hearing and within 3 minutes will provide them with the outcome.
Those suffering hearing loss will be guided through immediate steps they can take to resolve the problem. A negative score will prompt the customer to visit the Alpha Clin Clinic sister who will then conduct a more thorough hearing test. This test is an income generator for the Clinic / Pharmacy.
And if you are wondering why we strategically considered sound and sight as an offering to pharmacy, consider the typical customer that visits your store and their extended family. Every young, healthy customer you have will eventually develop a need for medical care. Engaging with customers, care-givers and their families is essential to reintroducing the intimate, trusting relationship only community pharmacists can provide.