Retail Clinics

There is no clearer evidence that retail clinics have become a vital component of community pharmacies than the recent proliferation in smaller, regional chains.

More than a decade after they began to appear in community pharmacies across the country, retail clinics have become a key provider of health care to millions of Americans. Both the number of clinics and the types of services provided are expanding, and even regional and supermarket chains are joining the trend of becoming a one-stop healthcare destination.

Walgreens has been at the forefront of the movement to make retail clinics a cornerstone of the American healthcare system.

In recent months, RediClinic — which operates 43 clinics in Rite Aid stores in the Philadelphia, Baltimore/Washington, D.C., and Seattle markets, as well as 35 clinics in H-E-B grocery stores in Houston, Austin and San Antonio — has continued to form alliances with local healthcare providers. The company continues to strengthen its ability to offer convenient health care to more patients through its partnerships with local healthcare providers.

WASHINGTON -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association has published a case study regarding efforts to curb teen abuse of over-the-counter cough medicine containing dextromethorphan. 

The paper, “Dextromethorphan: a case study on addressing abuse of a safe and effective drug,” was published in Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, an open access, peer-reviewed journal that encompasses research concerning substance abuse, with a focus on policy issues.

As it continues to evolve, CVS Health’s MinuteClinic is taking the concept of walk-in health care to a new level.

While Walmart has more than 100 clinics in its more than 5,000 stores nationwide, company executives said the walk-in health centers offer a cost-effective way for patients to receive acute and chronic medical care. As a result, the company plans to expand its network of clinics over the next few years.

SEATTLE -- Although summer just started, Bartell Drugs is already thinking about flu season with a push for workplace flu clinic programs.

The retailer announced it is already accepting reservations for on-site flu clinics for workplaces. These clinics send qualified health care providers directly to a workplace to provide flu vaccinations for employee pools of 25 or more. The first clinic begins on Sept. 1.