Medicine Shoppe, Medicap Pharmacy franchisees ban tobacco sales
DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health's independent franchises Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy are officially joining CVS Health on the frontlines of smoking cessation by banning the sale of tobacco products from its stores on Monday. In an effort to reverse these trends, nearly all Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy franchises have committed to not sell tobacco and tobacco-related products.
“Each of our Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy franchisees pride themselves on being a community healthcare destination,” said John Fiacco, VP Medicine Shoppe International. “As retailers, we believe our franchisees can play a significant role in limiting access to tobacco and tobacco-related products – and in preventing the diseases and health problems those products can cause.”
Fiacco says that the majority of Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy locations have been tobacco-free for quite some time, because selling tobacco products simply does not align with the franchise system’s goal of promoting healthy communities. However, when managed-care organizations began penalizing patients who utilize pharmacies that sell tobacco products with increased co-pays, the franchise system and its franchisees implemented a formal policy prohibiting sales of tobacco and tobacco-related products.
Fiacco also said that many Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy locations sell cessation aids such as nicotine replacement gum and nicotine patches, and many offer comprehensive smoking-cessation education programs. Others partner with local smoking-cessation programs to fill prescriptions for medications that help patients successfully quit smoking.
“At my first pharmacy job, I was at the front register selling cigarettes,” said Roger Peltola, pharmacist and owner of the Medicine Shoppe in Hillsboro, Ore. “It just didn’t make sense to me that pharmacists were treating the diseases caused by the tobacco products they sold. I’ve never sold tobacco products in my store, and am proud of my fellow retail independent pharmacies for finding healthy ways to drive revenue in their stores and promote wellness in their communities.”
Fiacco said that removing products that contribute to disease and addiction was a natural transition for Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy franchisees.
“This nationwide initiative marks a continuation of our commitment to improving the health and wellness of the local communities we serve, and our dedication to providing a higher level of patient care,” said Fiacco.