Wal-Mart trials 24 hour pharmacies
Drive for share of US dispensing market
Wal-Mart has launched a trial of 24 hour pharmacies at five US stores as it aims for an even bigger share of the dispensing market.
The trial is being run at stores in Arkansas and Texas, including the world’s biggest retailer’s home town of Bentonville.
Frank Segrave, vice president, pharmacy for Wal-Mart Stores, said: “The need to consult a pharmacist or fill a prescription can occur day or night. By doubling the number of hours we’re available each day, we’re looking to meet, and hopefully exceed, our customers’ expectations for this expanded service.”
Ron Chomiuk, Wal-Mart’s vice president, pharmacy operations, said: “We’re going to concentrate on these five pharmacies and work to perfect our model. These facilities will allow us to gather feedback from our customers and our associates on what we’re doing right and how we can further enhance this concept.”
Wal-Mart has more than 3,000 retail pharmacies in the US, located in store formats including Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets. It also offers a mail order pharmacy and a specialty pharmacy, which provides specialty and injectable medications and case management for chronic diseases.
In the UK, Wal-Mart’s Asda chain operates more than 80 pharmacies, and has been campaigning strongly for deregulation of the pharmacy market in order to give patients access to longer opening hours.
