US Pharm. 2006;8:6.
Merck Launches Adult Vaccine Program
West Point,
Pa.--Merck
has launched the Merck Adult Vaccination Program, which is designed to expand
access to adult vaccines through pharmacies and vaccination service providers.
In a letter to pharmacists, Rose Mary B. Hoy, RPh, Executive Director,
Pharmacy and Senior Health, explained that this program "is just one example
of our company's commitment to developing initiatives that strengthen
healthcare infrastructure." She said that Merck recognizes the valuable role
that pharmacists have "in advancing the health of their community by helping
to prevent illness and disease through vaccinations."
A major component of the Merck Adult
Vaccination Program is a directory of community pharmacies that provide
vaccination services for Merck adult vaccines within a geographic area. To
find out more information about the program, contact the Merck National
Service Center at (800) 637-2590.
Walgreen Expands In-Store Clinics
Deerfield,
Ill.--Walgreen
Co. recently opened 10 Health Corner Clinics within its stores in the Kansas
City metro area and has plans to
open more in-store clinics in the Kansas
City
area within the first quarter of 2007. The clinics are run by Take Care
Health, headquartered in Conshohocken,
Pennsylvania.
In each clinic, Take Care Health's family nurse practitioners diagnose, treat,
and write prescriptions for commonly used medications for patients older than
18 months. They also perform standard screenings and some vaccinations. The
clinics accept most commercial insurance plans. The average fee for uninsured
patients ranges from $59 to $74 per visit
AmerisourceBergen Celebrates Successful
Meeting
Valley Forge,
Pa.--AmerisourceBergen
customers from around the country converged on Las
Vegas
to attend the manufacturer's National Healthcare Conference and Exposition.
According to the company, a record 7,400 people, including community pharmacy
leaders, pharmaceutical manufacturers, health and beauty aids manufacturers,
and industry experts, attended the meeting. "We applaud the entrepreneurial
spirit of community pharmacy and work actively with colleges of pharmacy to
promote store ownership."
Pharmacists Rated Highest by Consumers
Worthington,
Ohio--According
to the Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey conducted by BIGresearch, two
thirds of the 7,500 consumers polled believe that community pharmacists
provide a good or excellent level of customer service. Dentists ranked second,
while doctors came in third. Health insurance providers and hospitals did not
fare as well. Only one third of the consumers gave health insurance providers
high marks, while just over 40% did the same for hospitals.
Coalition of Pharmacy Associations Formed
Alexandria,
Va.--The
National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community
Pharmacists Association have formed the Coalition for Community Pharmacy
Action. The new group's purpose is to provide a single voice on legislative
and regulatory issues to the nation's 55,000 community chain and independent
pharmacies.
To comment on this article, contact
editor@uspharmacist.com.