Walgreens will become the first retail chain to offer the diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma and hypertension.
While not aiming to replace a patient's primary care physician, the drug store chain sees itself as a viable after-hours or more convenient alternative than an emergency room or urgent care center. In some cases, Walgreens' nurse practitioners and physician assistants in its in-store clinics will work in coordination with the primary care physician to co-manage treatment.
The expanded care services also include additional preventive health services, including recommending screenings and laboratory tests based on a patient's age, gender and family history.
Clinics at CVS/Pharmacy, Target and Walmart also help consumers manage chronic illnesses, but only after they've been diagnosed.
Prices range from $65 for a diabetes, cholesterol or blood pressure screening and counseling session to $122 for a full exam and treatment of ongoing health problems.
The move addresses numerous health care challenges, including a physician shortage, aging population, a growing prevalence of chronic diseases and up to 30 million people projected to gain insurance coverage in 2014 through the Affordable Care Act
"As innovative care delivery models emerge, we are uniquely positioned to play an integral role in addressing the needs of patients, payers, and providers and to help shape the future of health care delivery in the U.S," said Heather Helle, divisional vice president, consumer solutions group, Walgreens in a statement.
Walgreens pointed to a recent Rand Corporation study that showed the use of walk-in retail clinics has increased 10-fold over the past two years. It also noted that studies have found retail clinics provide care for routine illnesses at a lower cost and similar quality as physician offices, urgent care centers or emergency rooms. Walgreens finally noted that retail clinic industry estimates show more than one in three patients do not have a regular physician.
Not surprisingly, some doctors groups warned that a broader role of in-store clinics raises risks, including those from transferring records or test results, while disrupting the primary physician's relationship with patients.
- Take Care Clinics Expand Scope of Health Care Services to Include Chronic Condition Management and Additional Preventive Health Offerings - Walgreens
- Walgreen to expand health care services - Chicago Tribune
- Walgreen clinics add care of chronic illnesses to boost sales - Bloomberg News/The Denver Post
- Walgreens listens to your heart - really - USA Today
- Affordable Care Act to Boost Retail Clinic Business - RetailWire