CVS/pharmacy is introducing a new pharmacy health care savings program aimed at the uninsured.

Starting Nov. 9, consumers who obtain a CVS/pharmacy Health Savings Pass for a $10 annual enrollment fee can fill a 90-day prescription for one of more than 400 common generic maintenance medications that treat conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol for $9.99 at a CVS/pharmacy.

The plan also offers a 10 percent discount for cash-paying patients getting services and screenings at MinuteClinic, CVS’ health care clinic.

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As in-store health clinics continue to expand in the Pittsburgh market, research is raising concerns about their long-term viability.

Featuring upfront, no-frills menus limited to routine needs, retail clinics embrace a 15-minute, fast-food approach to health care that has gained in popularity.

Since the first such clinics opened here two years ago, the number has grown. The Pittsburgh area is expected to have 24 retail clinics by the end of the year, almost evenly divided between Take Care centers at Walgreens and MinuteClinics at CVS.

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Take Care Health Systems, the largest manager of convenient care clinics and worksite-based health and wellness centers and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens, announced today that CEO and president Peter Miller, and Employer Solutions president Peter Hotz, have been promoted within Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Miller and Hotz both now hold the additional title of divisional vice president.

The Walgreens Health and Wellness division was formed in May 2008, a strategic step for Walgreens to expand health care access beyond traditional retail pharmacy. Take Care Health Systems is the main entity within the division, a compilation of two core business: Consumer Solutions, Take Care Clinics located at Walgreens drugstores throughout the country, and Employer Solutions, the largest, most comprehensive provider of workplace health, pharmacy, fitness and wellness services.

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Professional Drivers Medical Depots will host a weeklong health fair for professional drivers from Oct. 20-24 at the four PDMD locations–Knoxville, Tenn., West Memphis, Ark., Peru, Ill. and Atlanta. The fair is designed to provide drivers with free services and information to help them improve their health.

“We have designed this health fair to meet the schedules and needs of professional drivers,” says Dr. John McElligott, chairman and chief medical officer for PDMD. “We know that many drivers don’t have the time or money to keep up with their health care, which may have them at risk.”

All clinics will provide free wellness exams, hearing exams, sleep studies, blood pressure checks, flu shots and blood sugar checks. Drivers also can receive information about diet, exercise and stroke/heart attack, and other health-related and educational supplies. Doctors will be available for drivers to check on their health conditions as well. Each clinic also will have a raffle for gift cards from Iron Skillet and Petro shops.

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Time-pressed moms and other consumers looking for simple, yet quality, health solutions are the target audience for Walgreens’ integrated campaign promoting Take Care Clinic, its in-store health clinic.

A TV spot, via Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners, Sausalito, Calif, anchors the effort, which launched this week. The ad shows a women sitting on a Take Care Clinic examining table with her two young sons nearby. As she rifles through the pages of her appointment book full of play dates, work and other obligations, she laments, “I don’t think I can fit the flu in right now.”

A voiceover states, “It’s quality family health care build around you” and mentions benefits like no appointments required, open seven days a week and most insurance coverage is welcome.

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Cold and flu season is around the corner, but Columbus is filled with health clinics that cater to students and those without health insurance.

Free clinics and local “quick” clinics have helped many since incident rates of disease have increased. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths due to chronic diseases have been increasing since 1986.

The Wilce Student Health Center, at 1875 Millikin Rd. near the Recreation and Physical Activity Center, treats students on campus. Near campus, the CVS Pharmacy has a “Minute Clinic,” and the Kroger on Olentangy River Road houses the “Little Clinic.”

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When Alden Britt was laid off from the cabinetry company he worked for, he lost more than just his paycheck.

It also meant going without the health insurance he relied on to get much-needed medical care.

So finding a new low-priced doctor’s office, tucked away in the back of a San Bernardino Longs Drug Store he frequents, was a godsend.

“This is just so good for people like me who can’t afford insurance and high doctor’s bills,” he said as he recently stopped by to thank the doctor who gave him a diagnosis of shingles and pointed him in the right direction for treatment.

The office where he found help, at a price he could afford, is one of many operated by QuickHealth, headquartered in San Mateo.

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