ARLINGTON, Va. — Supermarket pharmacies are thriving and multiplying, according to results from, “Supermarket Pharmacy Trends 2007,” a report announced yesterday by the Food Marketing Institute here. Prescription sales as a percentage of total supermarket store sales are at 9.5%, up from 9% a year ago; the average gross margin of the pharmacy is 21%, up from 20%; and the median number of prescriptions dispensed per day was 125 in 2006, up from 120, the report said. In addition, 73% of supermarkets now dispense prescriptions, up from 47% 10 years ago, and most are integrating pharmacies into health and wellness initiatives featuring walk-in clinics, nutrition counseling, disease management and related services. Comprehensive medication therapy management programs are now offered by half of food retailers in at least some of their stores, the report said.

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