DFW airport looking to open pharmacy, walk-in clinic

DALLAS Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is looking to open a clinic and pharmacy to offer the airport’s 60 million air passengers and thousands of airport employees with accessible and affordable healthcare.

Airport officials are planning to hold on April 17 an informational session for the local healthcare and medical community to discuss the project, bidding procedures and possible partnerships.

“Our passengers have made it clear that health and wellness is a top concern to the traveling consumer,” stated Jeff Fegan, chief executive officer of DFW International Airport. “Convenient and affordable healthcare for air travelers, as well as airport and airline workers, is the beginning of a new trend that recognizes the significance of the airport community. With the planned clinic and pharmacy, we feel we are on the front line of change in healthcare and aviation industries.”

The planned walk-in clinic and pharmacy will offer minor illness care, prescription filling and preventative well-care screenings. Vaccinations, x-rays and nutritional services—vitamins and minerals, protein shakes and bars, and nutritional supplements—will also be offered.

The DFW International Airport is not the first airport to recognize the importance of such clinics. AeroClinic opened in May 2007 its first clinic at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and expects to open around May of this year a clinic within the Philadelphia International Airport.

In March 2007, Harmony Pharmacy & Health Center opened its first location in New Jersey at Newark Liberty International Airport. According to Harmony’s Web site, it plans to open in September a clinic at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The clinic will be located in JetBlue Terminal 5.