In this Issue

Shifting patients away from hospital emergency rooms and into retail-based and urgent care walk-in clinics can significantly lower healthcare costs, improve access to care and reduce the impact of such chronic diseases as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, two health benefits experts asserted in a recent online presentation.

MIDDLETON, Tenn. — Fred’s Super Dollar is testing a smaller box Fred’s, complete with a pharmacy, as a potential growth engine going forward.

It’s half the size of a typical 16,000-sq.-ft. Fred’s location, with a lot of merchandising emphasis being placed on the Fred’s pharmacy. Pharmacy is seen as a growth catalyst for the company; 36.4% of Fred’s sales are comprised of prescription medicines, the Memphis-based retailer stated.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is putting all the pieces in place in anticipation of its inaugural Total Store Expo to be held this August in Las Vegas.

Rather than take off for the holidays, the editors of Drug Store News took a look at the year ahead and the trends, issues and headlines that will makes the news in 2013.

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Only 1-in-5 executives are fully confident they have the right to win in their businesses; and 64% agree that their company has too many conflicting priorities. That was a key message for attendees of a Nov. 9 Insights Forum hosted by Mack Elevation Forum managing director Dan Mack. “Lack of corporate clarity can kill, and you may not even be aware of it,” Mack said.

At least half of consumers cite prior use (58%), in-store browsing (54%) and pharmacist’s recommendations (50%) as the most commonly reported methods used to select an OTC remedy, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in September 2012. And 4-out-of-5 respondents indicated that their OTC remedies are easy to find.

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As many as 26% of consumers increased their usage of over-the-counter products in the past year, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in September. Anticipated increases in OTC use for the upcoming year are driven by those who have already reported a rise in usage in the past year.


To see more Patient Views, click here.

The lower cost of OTCs was cited as the primary reason viewers have increased and plan to increase their OTC usage.