BAKER'S SETS DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIZINE IN 10 STORES

MATTHEW W. EVANS

OMAHA, Neb. -- Baker's Supermarkets here will begin distributing the free small-format publication MediZine Guidebook, according to director of pharmacy Bob Passavanti.

Ten of the chain's 16 units in the state will display the magazine, Passavanti said in a press statement. "The distribution of the MediZine Guidebook will help us to continue this tradition of customer service throughout our pharmacy departments." He could not be reached for further comment.

The quarterly magazine, published by MediZine, New York, will also go to about 2,000 independent drug stores supplied by pharmaceutical distributor Bergen Brunswig Drug Co. through the "Good Neighbor Pharmacy" network. Both Baker's and GNP pharmacies will begin distribution with the summer issue (July/August/September), it was announced last week.

Additionally, Bergen Brunswig, based in Orange, Calif., the parent of the distributing unit, will begin advertising in MediZine Guidebook. Content from Medizine.com will appear on the Bergen Brunswig GNP Web site (mygnp.com).

"With the explosion of direct-to-consumer advertising and patient education, a growing number of consumers are turning to pharmacies as primary sources of information," said Brent R. Martini, president of the distribution unit. "Bergen remains committed to providing GNP and their customers with a variety of health information from credible resources."

The publication boasts a readership of more than 8.9 million readers and is distributed by 22 grocery chains.