Community pharmacy fills gaps in access and affordability for patients, payers

Even as the big chains get bigger, the industry's top regional chains continue to grow in relevance and importance in the markets they dominate. In this special digital report, DSN profiles the leading regional pharmacy chains in food, drug and mass, with a special focus on what makes each one unique.

Armed with a new store concept and the wellness+ loyalty card program, Rite Aid is mounting a comeback and posting its best results in years.

The year 2012 is coming to an end, and it's been a big year for generic drugs. It's the year that the most lucrative drug of all time became commoditized. It's the year that Watson bought Actavis for $5.6 billion. And it's the year the FDA released draft guidance for biosimilars regulations. All of these events speak to some of the most important trends in the world of generics — trends that are often interrelated.

Being the hedgehog of retailing has brought Walgreens where it is today: on the verge of transforming community pharmacy into something no one before has ever imagined — no one but Walgreens.

With 500+ pharmacies, hundreds of optical and hearing centers and a three-tiered strategy built on awareness, prevention and solutions, Sam's Club exercises its right to win in health and wellness.

The Hispanic opportunity represents a "new American reality," noted Roberto Ruiz, SVP strategy and insights for Univision Communications, last month at the Consumer Healthcare Products Association's Annual Executive Conference.

Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart is further elevating the beauty experience with its newly opened BeautyBoutique.

According to research, ownership of smartphones and tablets in particular have grown rapidly over the past couple of years, and that has created a multi-headed omnichannel hydra of a customer who retailers across all channels are desperately trying to appease.

Technology has certainly changed the landscape of the drug channel's general merchandise department. As categories shift, electronic accessories have become a crucial addition to the mix.

New technology and types of introductions could bring some heat to the frozen food category. Frozen food sales have been flat to declining for the past few years, according to a recent study from Packaged Facts, with nearly all dollar sales gains coming from higher prices or new products rather than increased consumer demand.

This month Walgreens announced that it would begin to offer chronic care services at its Take Care Clinics. Its biggest competitor, MinuteClinic, made a similar announcement about a year ago. With full implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the people paying the bills are going to get a good look at what retail clinics can do to lower costs and improve outcomes.