FMI reports that food retailer pharmacy market is strong and growing

ARLINGTON, Va. Supermarket pharmacies are thriving and multiplying, according to results from “Supermarket Pharmacy Trends 2007,” a report announced yesterday by the Food Marketing Institute.

Prescription sales represent 9.5 percent of all store sales, up from 9 percent a year ago; the average gross margin of the pharmacy is 21 percent, up 1 percentage point; and the median number of prescriptions dispensed per pharmacy per day increased by five to 125 in 2006, the report said.

In addition, 26 percent more supermarkets now dispense prescriptions than 10 years ago, an increase from 47 percent to 73 percent. Most are integrating pharmacies into health and wellness initiatives offering such services as walk-in clinics, nutrition counseling and disease management. Comprehensive medication therapy management programs are now offered by half of food retailers in at least some of their stores, the report said.