Canada’s Pharmaprix to Launch Additional In-Store Care Clinics

Pharmaprix, a pharmacy chain in Quebec and part of the Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation owned by Loblaw, is set to expand its network of in-store care clinics following a successful pilot program. Starting in 2025, Pharmaprix will enhance access to various primary care services in its pharmacies, addressing growing healthcare needs in the region.

The pilot program, which involved five Pharmaprix locations, yielded impressive results, including over 30,000 patient visits and nearly 10,000 consultations for common health issues such as urinary tract infections, gastric reflux, and eczema. Additionally, pharmacists were able to monitor 9,000 patients with chronic conditions, with 20% achieving their treatment goals. The clinics also performed 1,675 rapid strep tests and administered 2.5 times more vaccines compared to pharmacies without care clinics.

With the Canadian government moving to broaden the scope of practice for pharmacists, Pharmaprix is positioned to play a vital role in the evolving healthcare landscape. The regulatory changes will allow pharmacies to adapt and provide essential services to meet the needs of the population more effectively.

In contrast, pharmacy-led healthcare initiatives in the U.S. have seen mixed results. While CVS Health plans to open 26 Oak Street Health clinics inside its stores by the end of 2024, Walgreens has recently shut down several of its VillageMD clinics in states like Illinois and Florida amid a cost-cutting strategy. CVS has also closed some of its MinuteClinic locations in Los Angeles to refocus its community health offerings.

Despite these challenges, on-site clinics have proven effective at attracting customers. A recent white paper by Placerhighlighted that Kroger’s Dillon stores with clinics saw a 93% increase in visits compared to the average across its locations. Other grocery chains like Fry’s, King Soopers, and H-E-B also experienced significant boosts in foot traffic at their stores with clinics.

As Pharmaprix prepares to roll out additional care clinics, it aims to capitalize on the proven benefits of integrating healthcare services within retail settings, further enhancing the shopping experience and community health outcomes.