Karen Davis was running errands last week when she realized she had not yet gotten a flu shot, so she used the Minute Clinic at the Green Hills CVS Pharmacy for the first time.

“It was very convenient,” said Davis, who has lived in Green Hills for about 35 years. “It’s very nice to have this service in a drugstore because patients can talk to medical personnel in addition to a pharmacist if they have questions.”

That’s exactly how Minute Clinic officials want customers to feel about their visit.

“It’s really about the convenience,” said Mary Darden, manager of operations for all the Nashville-area Minute Clinics. “It’s an option for families or busy professionals to walk in and receive treatment for common acute illnesses without the hassle of an appointment.”

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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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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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With sales suffering, big-name retailers are trying other avenues such as health care to boost sales.

Retail health clinics are becoming a growing trend among supermarkets, superstores and drug stores, offering simple nonemergency services to consumers–no insurance and no appointment necessary.

Retailers such as Wal-Mart, Publix and CVS are putting health clinics in stores by one of three ownership models: ownership of a clinic, contracting with a private company or entering an agreement with local hospitals or medical practices.

Retail experts say it’s too soon to tell how profitable retail health clinics are as the industry is still growing.

However, judging by the clinics’ convenience, affordability and visibility, they have the potential to be a valuable addition for retailers.

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