Your Year-End Pharmacy Checklist: 5 Steps to Optimize Your Practice for 2026

As we approach the end of another year, it's the perfect time for veterinary practices to reflect, reorganize, and prepare for success in 2026. While you're busy with holiday schedules and patient care, taking a strategic look at your pharmacy operations can yield significant benefits for the coming year. At PetScript Pharmacy, we're your partner in this process. This practical guide outlines five actionable steps to assess and enhance your compounding pharmacy strategy, helping you start the new year with greater efficiency, better patient outcomes, and improved practice economics.

Step 1: Review Your Most Prescribed Compounded Medications
The Why: Understanding what formulations you use most frequently helps you streamline ordering, identify opportunities for bulk savings, and ensure you're prepared for common cases.

The How:

1. Pull Your Data: Review your last 12 months of PetScript orders through your account portal

2. Create a Top 10 List: Identify your most frequently ordered compounded formulations

3. Analyze Seasonality: Note any patterns did certain medications spike during specific seasons?

4. Identify Gaps: Are there medications you frequently need but don't have readily available?

Pro Tip: Our account portal includes usage reports that make this analysis quick and easy. If you haven't accessed these before year-end, now is the perfect time to explore this feature.

Step 2: Assess Your Compounding Success Stories and Challenges
The Why: Every practice has compounding wins and learning opportunities. Documenting these helps you build on what works and address what doesn't.

The How:

1. Gather Your Team: Have a brief staff meeting to discuss:

   • Which compounded medications had the best patient compliance this year?

   • Which formulations saved the most staff time?

   • Were there any medications that clients consistently struggled with?

2. Review Client Feedback: What have pet owners said about compounded medications?

3. Document Your Wins: Create a simple "success file" of cases where compounding made a significant difference

Real-World Example: Many practices find that documenting just 3-5 compelling compounding success stories provides excellent material for client education in the new year.

Step 3: Evaluate Your Pharmacy Partner Performance
The Why: Your compounding pharmacy should be a true partner in your practice's success. Year-end is the ideal time to ensure you're getting the support you need.

Key Evaluation Questions:
✅ Shipping Speed: Did 70% of your orders ship within one business day as promised?
✅ Support Quality: When you called with questions, did you reach real people who provided helpful solutions?
✅ Problem Resolution: Were any issues resolved promptly and satisfactorily?
✅ Value-Added Benefits: Have you utilized our Free Meds for Staff Pets program or Rewards Program?

Action Step: If you haven't tried our price matching or rewards program, December is an excellent time to start. Points earned now can be applied to discounts or Amazon gift cards in the new year.

Step 4: Plan for Year-End Prescription Management
The Why: The holiday period often sees medication interruptions as clients travel and routines change. Proactive planning prevents lapses in care.

Your Pre-Holiday Action Plan:

1. Client Communication: Consider a newsletter reminder about holiday medication planning

2. Staff Preparation: Ensure everyone knows holiday ordering deadlines (70% of orders ship next day, but plan for holiday shipping schedules)

3. Emergency Protocols: Review after-hours contact procedures for urgent compounding needs

Important Dates to Note:

• December 15: Ideal cutoff for non-urgent year-end orders

• December 20: Last call for guaranteed pre-holiday delivery

• Always Available: Emergency support at 866-784-6915 during business hours

Step 5: Set 3 Simple Pharmacy Goals for 2024
The Why: Clear, achievable goals provide direction and measurable outcomes for the new year.

Sample Goals for Veterinary Practices:

1. Increase Compounding Utilization by 15% for patients who struggle with standard medications

2. Implement a "Compounding Conversation" Protocol where staff ask about medication challenges during every exam

3. Achieve Gold Status in Our Rewards Program by maximizing points from regular orders

How PetScript Supports Your Goals:

• Goal 1: Access our full registry of 20,000+ formulations to find solutions for more patients

• Goal 2: Use our free client education materials about compounding benefits

• Goal 3: Our team can provide a personalized rewards strategy based on your ordering patterns

Year-End Bonus: Maximize Your Practice Benefits
As we close out the year, don't forget about these PetScript advantages:

Free Meds for Staff Pets: If you haven't enrolled your team members' pets, now is the time. This valuable benefit shows appreciation for your hardworking staff.

Rewards Program Review: Check your points balance and plan how to use them in 2026 whether for practice discounts or staff appreciation gift cards.

State License Verification: Ensure your practice information is current in our system, especially if you've had any address or contact changes during the year.

Start 2026 with Confidence and Support
The end of the year is more than just a calendar change it's an opportunity to build a stronger, more efficient practice. By taking these five strategic steps, you're not just organizing your pharmacy; you're investing in better patient care, happier clients, and a more profitable practice.

At PetScript Pharmacy, we're committed to being more than just your compounding provider. We're your partner in practice success, with real people ready to support you, fast shipping to serve your patients, and innovative solutions for even the most challenging cases.

Your Final Year-End Action Items:

1. Log into your PetScript account to run your year-end usage report

2. Schedule a 15-minute year-end review with our team by calling 866-784-6915

3. Place your final 2023 orders by December 20 for guaranteed processing

4. Set a calendar reminder for January to establish your 2026 compounding goals

Here's to a successful close to 2025 and an exceptional start to 2026. Thank you for trusting PetScript Pharmacy as your compounding partner.