Kalorama study: Rx renewals are key reason for clinic visits
NEW YORK — Prescription renewals are a key reason for visits to the small clinics located within drug stores or grocery stores. That’s according to Kalorama Information, which found that nearly one-third of visitors to retail health clinics have used the clinics for a renewal of a prescription.
The finding was made in Kalorama Information's latest look at the retail clinic market, "Retail Clinics 2015."
Kalorama found, that for 2014, total U.S. retail clinic sales are estimated at more than $1 billion and sales are expected to continue expanding through 2019. Retail clinics have grown in response to the U.S. health care system's shortcomings, filling gaps in service and attracting customers who want a convenient solution.
"The results suggest that customers are taking advantage of the convenience of this simple healthcare action while at the store where a prescription can be fulfilled," said Bruce Carlson, publisher of Kalorama Information. "It confirms the CVS and Walgreens strategy of having clinics within the pharmacy space to offer patients A to Z healthcare."
State dispensing laws generally bar direct referrals by a physician or prescribing provider to any specific pharmacy, and retail clinic visitors can always use whatever pharmacy they wish. From a business standpoint Kalorama notes that so long as customers are in the store, it is logical they will visit that pharmacy to finish the prescription process. As prescription renewal can be a basic reason for a doctor's office visit, Kalorama suggested that this trend might worry a few physician providers.
"There's some concern among physicians about competition from retail clinics, and given that a renewal of a prescription is a fairly basic service, this result is something to watch for the next few years to see if these clinics are having an impact on neighboring doctor's offices," stated Carlson.
Carlson said that another survey question indicated only a small group thought the retail clinic would replace their regular physician. Retail clinics are occupying only a small space within the store and do not use most of the sophisticated medical equipment found in hospitals or specialty centers such as advanced imaging devices. However, retail clinics are becoming relatively large users of point-of-care tests, clinical chemistry and immunoassay laboratory tests and vaccines. The report details those sales as well.
Kalorama conducted a web-panel survey of 2,000 adults from December 2014 to January of 2015 to ask about their use of retail clinics. Respondents were selected to match U.S. population, regional and income criteria. Of those who indicated they had visited a retail clinic, 74% of survey respondents said they went for a vaccination, 55% for cold or flu symptoms and 32% said they visited for a prescription renewal. It was the third-largest category of reasons for visits cited.