Walgreens now provides services at more than 380 health centers on employer worksites, per their CEO, Greg Wasson.  And, they are revamping the responsibilities of their pharmacists to free-up time to provide counseling on issues like diabetes in-store. This type of growth cannot occur without having an impact on both consumer access and existing providers.

 

We are believers in the potential for on-site clinics to save employers money and improve employee health long term.  However, we have to agree with Stuart Clark's comments in a recent issue of The AIS Report when he said that "prior to establishing an on-site clinic certain analyses related to which programs will be most benefcial for the target population must be made."  As on-site clinics grow in popularity, there is potential that employers will start them without sufficient research and planning.  In the end, as Walgreens is proving, the consumer is king.  Management has to take the impact of retail sites and retail options into account when they plan for the deployment of on-site health pograms.

 

Our advice is that if you use a vendor (and it is a good thing to partner up with someone who has experience), don't let the vendor drive your plan - let your plan drive the vendor.