Independent pharmacy owners know the feeling—you’ve spent years building trust in your community, learning your patients by name, and showing up with care that the chains simply can't match. But somehow, they’re still losing patients to the “big guys”—those mega-pharmacies that flash convenient apps and loyalty points while quietly pulling business away from local pharmacies one script at a time.
Sound familiar? The good news is, you don’t have to play by their rules. In fact, there are real, doable strategies that can help you keep your patients loyal and bring new ones in the door—without selling your soul to PBMs or slashing your margins to compete on price. At Waypoint, we help independent pharmacies like yours reclaim lost ground and grow in ways that align with your purpose, your values, and your bottom line.
Start by Becoming Their Medicare Go-To
If you’re not already helping your patients with their Medicare plan choices, there’s a good chance someone else is—and they’re sending your patients elsewhere, whether intentionally or not. The truth is, every time a patient asks for help enrolling and you refer them out, you risk losing them altogether.
With Waypoint’s Start a Medicare Insurance Agency solution, you can keep that support in-house, retain patients, and earn commission while doing it. We make it simple to get up and running—even if you’ve never touched an insurance form before. It’s one of the fastest ways to create a new revenue stream and deepen patient relationships.
You’d be surprised how many pharmacy owners say, “I wish I’d done this sooner.” Why? Because it flips the dynamic—you go from being the middleman to becoming the trusted expert, and your patients stay right where they belong: with you.
Modernize the Pharmacy Experience
Let’s be real—patients expect more than pill bottles and paper receipts these days. They’re looking for care that’s fast, personal, and easy. So, if your pharmacy still looks and runs the same way it did 10 years ago, it might be time to update your model.
Waypoint’s Retail/LTC Combo Pharmacy setup helps you do just that. It allows you to serve retail customers and long-term care facilities under one roof, creating a more flexible, efficient operation—and opening the door to additional revenue. Plus, a modern space with expanded offerings sends a strong message: you’re evolving with the times, just like your patients are.
Offer Primary Care That Puts You Back in Control
What if your pharmacy didn’t just dispense meds—but actually provided care? That’s exactly what’s happening with the rise of Direct Primary Care Clinics inside independent pharmacies. These clinics are changing the game, giving you the opportunity to offer physician-level services, build recurring revenue, and create a stronger connection with your patients.
Think about it: when patients can get their meds and their checkups in the same place, it’s more than convenient—it’s a new kind of healthcare experience. It’s also a bold way to stand out from the competition and build something that the chain stores just can’t replicate.
Build Loyalty by Supporting Your Team
Here’s something a lot of owners overlook—your staff’s well-being directly affects your patients’ loyalty. When patients see the same friendly faces every visit, that consistency builds trust. But if you’re constantly turning over staff, it’s tough to build that rapport.
That’s why evaluating your employee benefits isn’t just good for morale—it’s smart business. Our Pharmacy401k and employee benefits optimization tools help you offer competitive packages that attract and retain top talent—without draining your finances. A supported team is a loyal team, and that loyalty trickles right down to your customers.
Keep More of What You Earn
While we’re at it, let’s talk about hidden expenses. One of the biggest money pits we see in independent pharmacies? Credit card processing fees. It might seem small—just a couple of percentage points here and there—but over time, those fees can eat away thousands of dollars from your profits.
Waypoint can help you lower your credit card processing fees without switching providers or disrupting your system. It's one of the simplest ways to keep more of your revenue so you can reinvest it where it counts—like patient care, marketing, or team bonuses.
Community-Driven, Not Corporation-Driven
At the end of the day, you’re not just running a pharmacy—you’re anchoring a community. When you empower your patients to get better care locally, you’re giving them something the big-box stores never could: real connection. And at Waypoint, we believe that connection is the foundation of a strong, independent pharmacy.
We’re not here to sell cookie-cutter solutions. We’re here to help you protect your independence, grow sustainably, and stay rooted in what matters most—your patients, your staff, and your future.
If you’re ready to turn the tide and stop losing patients to corporate chains, contact us today. We’ll help you map out a strategy that fits your goals, whether it’s starting a Medicare agency, opening a primary care clinic, or modernizing your entire pharmacy.
