For Immediate Release – Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Wilson Health Information releases new consumer pharmacy survey results that find use of Mail service pharmacies declining in 2005 while use of Mass Merchant pharmacy stores show increase. Overall pharmacy satisfaction shows steady increase over past four years with highest satisfaction among independent pharmacy customers.
NEW HOPE, PA – (PR NEWSWIRE) – August 24, 2005 – The newly released WilsonRx® Reports shows that chains continue to be the most commonly used type of pharmacy, followed by Mail, Food Store, Mass Merchant, Independent and Clinics (Figure 1). However, for the first time in four years, the percentage of households using Mail declined versus the previous year. The most frequently used pharmacies in the top twenty US markets studied include Walgreens, CVS, Medco, HMO Clinics, Caremark and Wal-Mart. Among those who use Mail, 72% probably or definitely would use their local pharmacy if the amount and price were identical. Fifty-six percent (56%) of household consumers report that they use more than one pharmacy to fill prescriptions. Foreign pharmacy use increased from 5.6% in 2003 to 6.2% in 2005.
Eighty-two percent of consumers claim that their pharmacist is a source of information on medications and health conditions, however, very few consumers report that they have a close relationship with their pharmacist and are on a first name basis. “The downside is that consumers may be missing an opportunity to develop a relationship with their pharmacist and learn more about their medications and their proper use”, said third generation pharmacist Jim Wilson, President of Wilson Health Information “Customers are more satisfied and more loyal with their pharmacy and more likely to take their medications as prescribed if they speak to their pharmacist.”
The WilsonRx® Survey, covering more than 300 topics, was mailed to 43,783 household shoppers in the top 20 U.S. markets, representing more than half the US household population during June 2005. The WilsonRx® reports provide healthcare executives with competitive intelligence and information about levels of satisfaction and importance ratings for more than 45 pharmacy related issues for the leading chains; 50 different Pharmacy Benefit, Health and Dental Insurance Issues for the top Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Health Insurers and perceptions of care for more than 40 medical conditions such as Arthritis, Diabetes, Hypertension and Pain.
Top line results of the WilsonRx Survey will be presented on Sunday, August 29th at the 2005 National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy and Technology Conference in San Diego, Ca at 9:45 am.
Top rated national and regional pharmacies, health insurers, dental insurers PBMs and discount cards will be announced and reports are available for purchase from Wilson Health Information. Also, for the first time, consumers were asked to rate familiarity with pharmaceutical manufacturers such as J&J, Merck and Pfizer and rate each one how much they are trusted as a source of safe and effective medications.
Wilson Health Information, LLC, is an independent, healthcare consumer research company. Material may not be used for promotional purposes without written permission. For more information about the report, please contact Jim Wilson, R.Ph., MBA, President, Wilson Health Information, LLC at (215) 862- 4581 or contact us.
THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE USED FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES WITHOUT EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM WILSON HEALTH INFORMATION, LLC
