Beyond those in the health professions, forward-thinking healthcare advocates and pharmacists themselves, who in this country believes in the power of pharmacy to improve access to patient care, lower health costs and help Americans prevent or better manage diseases? Add the editors of the New York Times to the growing list of believers.

One area in which independent pharmacies always had the chains beat was in service — that is, if you believe any of those pesky consumer surveys.

Walgreens is in the process of introducing a wide-scale national campaign that has its pharmacists recommending Walgreens store-brand products in favor of national brands, the New York Times reported Thursday.