Grocery stores and supermarkets are taking over duties of the neighborhood pharmacy in many locations across the country. With competition as fierce as ever for consumer dollars, pharmacy programs are in huge demand and stores are expanding their programs to better serve their valued customers.
As Supermarket News highlighted in its 2015 preview article, a key part of retail health and wellness initiatives this year will be new pharmacy programs, products and services. Across the U.S., stores are creating programs for in-store clinics, mail-order services and assistance for those with special needs – providing a variety of resources to meet customer needs.
As the focus on pharmacy continues to grow, prescription discount card programs offer a nice incentive for stores to include with their services. Providing consumers with valuable costs savings on medications, discount cards can help stores build loyalty with customers, differentiate themselves from competitors and strengthen ties to the community.
Paramount Rx has developed a number of discount programs with grocery store and supermarket pharmacies, including a recent launch with retail partner Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy in the Virginia Beach region. The program has been very successful in its rollout to-date, helping drive store traffic and achieve objectives for Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy, while assisting local residents with resources to save money on their prescriptions.
The Hampton Roads Rx program has been backed by its ease-of-use and affordability, costing nothing for a retail partners or card users. To participate in the program, residents can pick up a card in-store at many local Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy locations – or simply print one off from the program website. Providing savings of up to 70 percent off generic drugs and 20 percent off brand-name medications, the program also provides online tools to help participants locate a participating pharmacy, and research drug pricing and availability.
Discount card programs are especially beneficial for those who may receive little to no health care coverage from their employers and can even provide savings for those people facing higher co-pays and deductibles that apply to medications with existing insurance plans. With rising medical costs remaining one of the biggest challenges facing consumers these days, prescription discount programs will continue to play an important role in the health care system and provide a platform for stores to engage local communities.
For more details on Paramount Rx, along with information on how its programs provide costs saving for families and pets, please visit www.paramountrx.com.