Publix Pharmacies Debuts First Phase of Diabetes Program
Publix Pharmacies yesterday rolled out the first phase of a new diabetes management system. The multi-faceted program aims to help customers and associates with diabetes in such areas as medication management, compliance, monitoring, education, nutrition and exercise. Additionally, the first phase of the initiative offers diabetic patients free medication, online resources and advice from pharmacists.
The medication offered is immediate-release metformin in 500 milligram, 850 milligram or 1,000 milligram dosages. Metformin is the generic form of the drug Glucophage.
“As both a supermarket and pharmacy, Publix is the ideal setting in which to promote healthy living,” said Maria Brous, media and community relations director at Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix. “We are uniquely positioned to educate our customers and associates on the nutritional aspects of living with diabetes. As a grocer of choice for so many, we saw an opportunity to better serve the health and maintain the wellness of those leaning to live with and manage their diabetes.”
As well as receiving free metformin, Publix Pharmacy customers will have all of their maintenance medications enrolled into the Auto Refill program, ensuring that all prescriptions are refilled when due. A reminder call to the telephone number on file will go out to customers when prescriptions are ready to be picked up.
Shoppers with questions about diabetes can visit the extensive online collection of diabetes-related information, including educational articles, interactive tools for risk assessments, quizzes, podcasts and videos, at www.publix.com/diabetes. Customers can also sign up to receive a monthly e-newsletter containing additional diabetes-related articles, a featured recipe of the month, and special offers from Publix and Publix Pharmacy. The program additionally offers a voucher for a free Publix brand glucose meter.
When asked by Progressive Grocer for specifics on the initiative’s next phase, Publix spokesman Dwaine Stevens replied: “We don’t have a specific time line on when the next phase of the program will roll out. Publix Pharmacies wants to be a resource for our customers living with diabetes. As such, we expect the program will continue to take shape over a period of time.”
Privately owned and operated by its 141,000 employees, Publix has 1,012 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.
The medication offered is immediate-release metformin in 500 milligram, 850 milligram or 1,000 milligram dosages. Metformin is the generic form of the drug Glucophage.
“As both a supermarket and pharmacy, Publix is the ideal setting in which to promote healthy living,” said Maria Brous, media and community relations director at Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix. “We are uniquely positioned to educate our customers and associates on the nutritional aspects of living with diabetes. As a grocer of choice for so many, we saw an opportunity to better serve the health and maintain the wellness of those leaning to live with and manage their diabetes.”
As well as receiving free metformin, Publix Pharmacy customers will have all of their maintenance medications enrolled into the Auto Refill program, ensuring that all prescriptions are refilled when due. A reminder call to the telephone number on file will go out to customers when prescriptions are ready to be picked up.
Shoppers with questions about diabetes can visit the extensive online collection of diabetes-related information, including educational articles, interactive tools for risk assessments, quizzes, podcasts and videos, at www.publix.com/diabetes. Customers can also sign up to receive a monthly e-newsletter containing additional diabetes-related articles, a featured recipe of the month, and special offers from Publix and Publix Pharmacy. The program additionally offers a voucher for a free Publix brand glucose meter.
When asked by Progressive Grocer for specifics on the initiative’s next phase, Publix spokesman Dwaine Stevens replied: “We don’t have a specific time line on when the next phase of the program will roll out. Publix Pharmacies wants to be a resource for our customers living with diabetes. As such, we expect the program will continue to take shape over a period of time.”
Privately owned and operated by its 141,000 employees, Publix has 1,012 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.