Health Mart continues to expand

Health Mart pharmacy network now represents 2,000 independently-owned pharmacies across the United States, the company recently announced. Since the Health Mart pharmacy network was re-launched in June 2006, the franchise’s membership has grown by more than 500 percent.

The Health Mart franchise is owned and operated by McKesson Corp. The Health Mart franchise had 328-member pharmacies at the end of June 2006 when the franchise was re-launched. Health Mart enables independents to leverage their collective strength, while still enabling them to maintain their independence, Tim Canning, president of Health Mart said.

Health Mart helps independent pharmacists compete and win in the marketplace amid challenges of heightened competition and growing reimbursement pressures. “Health Mart’s rapid growth is a direct result of what the Health Mart brand has come to represent in the industry - when consumers walk into a Health Mart pharmacy, they know they’re going to receive high-quality, personalized care,” Canning said.

In June of this year, Wilson Health Information, an insight firm, ranked Health Mart No. 1 in overall pharmacy customer satisfaction in the 2008 Wilson Rx Pharmacy Satisfaction Survey. The rank was based on survey responses from 34,454 pharmacy customers across the United States. The survey was independently conducted and funded by Wilson Health Information.

Health Mart was also top ranked in nine other customer satisfaction categories. Canning said Health Mart continues to grow because it provides independents with the best programs, solutions, and resources to succeed in today’s marketplace.

The company is designed to help independents achieve three key goals: Attract new customers, maximize relationships with existing customers, and improve operational efficiencies. “Clearly, Health Mart has emerged as a leading solution for independent pharmacies to successfully compete and thrive in today’s retail pharmacy marketplace,” Health Mart spokeswoman Trish Colby said.

In addition to receiving the number one position for overall customer satisfaction, Health Mart received the top ranking in the following customer satisfaction categories in the 2008 WilsonRx Pharmacy Satisfaction Survey:

• Pharmacy always has prescriptions in stock

• Pharmacy protects the privacy of patient health information

• Pharmacy coordinates care with doctors and other providers Pharmacy provides quality professional services.

• Pharmacists give advice on over-the-counter and herbal products

• Pharmacy provides personalization of care

• Prescriptions are accurately filled and without errors

• Prescriptions are clearly labeled and easy to read

• Pharmacy counter is conveniently located and accessible within the store