Drugstore Duane Reade Opens Walk-in Clinics in New York

On May 24, 2007, Duane Reade, New York City's largest drug store chain, announced the opening of walk-in clinics at three of its stores, according to NY1 News.

On-site physicians will perform immediate examinations, treat minor medical conditions, perform health screenings, tests, and vaccinations.  

Duane Reade offers the in-store clinics in conjunction with Consumer Health Services. The clinics will save customers from waiting for doctors' appointments or spending hours in hospital Emergency Rooms.

Several New Yorkers who spoke to NY1 said they liked the idea and would give Reade's walk-in clinics a try.

The quick and convenient clinics may appeal to busy New Yorkers, but questions have arisen in the past about the quality of walk-in clinic treatment. According to the Wall Street Journal, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians warned that retail clinics with no ties to health-care systems could lead to a lack of follow-up and preventive care for patients. They advised that the clinics be supervised by doctors and work in conjunction with local doctors and hospitals to ensure a viable referral system for ongoing patient care.

Questions about whether or not walk-in clinics are catering to uninsured Hispanics have also arisen, according to California Healthline. The concept of walk-in clinics is common in Latin America. U.S. Hispanics who lack primary care physicians or healthcare insurance may be drawn to the clinics as has been the case in California.

The Duane Read walk-in clinics accept all commercial insurance. They are located at 50th Street and Broadway, 97th Street and Broadway, and 86th Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan with additional locations expected throughout the year.

Source: California Healthline - http://www.californiahealthline.org/articles/2006/10/23/Retail-Clinics-Catering-to-Uninsured-Hispanics.aspx

Source: NY1News - http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=70051

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette - http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06207/708711-114.stm