Supermarket Chain Offers Infusion Services
by Nancy Vessell
When a Midwest supermarket chain began offering chemotherapy and other infusion services, a few heads were turned.
“When I first learned about it, it did catch me by surprise. To my knowledge, I haven’t heard about other grocery chains getting into this [medical area],” says Michael Abrams, managing partner of Numerof & Associates, Inc., a health care consulting firm based in St. Louis, MO.
His surprise quickly transformed into admiration for the newest development in market-based, consumer-friendly health care, which he advocates. “A gold star for them,” he adds.
Pharmacy line expanded to include infusion therapy
Schnuck Markets, Inc., which operates 100 grocery stores in five states, expanded its pharmacy line by entering the infusion therapy market last year in St. Louis, where the company is based. Medication delivered by needle or catheter is administered to treat a variety of acute and chronic conditions, including cancer, heart failure, HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, multiple sclerosis, intractable pain, and skin and wound infections.