VALLEY FORGE, Pa., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- What should the drug store of
the future offer its customers?
On-site nurse practitioners were the top choice, according to the
AmeriSource Index, a new nationwide quarterly survey released today by
AmeriSource Health Corporation (NYSE: AAS). The survey covered a range of
topics including purchasing medications over the Internet, the use of herbal
medicines, why people use a particular pharmacy and whom people go to for
advice on medications.
When presented with a list of products and services that they would most
like to find in the pharmacy of the future, 30 percent of respondents chose an
on-site nurse practitioner. When asked what their second top choice was,
nutrition counseling and a nurse practitioner tied at 15 percent. A
specialist on different diseases came in next, at 14 percent. Other top
contenders for second place were kiosks with medical or diagnostic
information, at 12 percent, and weight loss counseling, at 8 percent.
Chiropractors and masseuses followed, with 7 percent and 5 percent
respectively.
What About the Internet?
While Internet purchases have increased in recent years, the vast majority
of survey respondents -- 64 percent -- said they had not purchased medications
over the Internet and did not intend to do so in the future. However, when
asked what might encourage them to do so, the ability to order from a local
pharmacy on-line drew the largest number of responses -- 21 percent. Next
were lower prices (20 percent), convenience and improved security
(12 percent), at-home delivery of orders (10 percent) and obtaining Internet
access (3 percent).
Waiting to have a prescription filled was an experience just about all
respondents shared. Twenty-nine percent of those surveyed reported an average
wait of more than 20 minutes. Eighteen percent said they usually waited
11-15 minutes, while 19 percent said they waited 6-10 minutes. Only
13 percent of respondents reported waiting five minutes or less.
The AmeriSource Index polled 1,034 consumers nationwide about their
medication-purchasing habits and preferences. It was conducted by Opinion
Research Corporation International on behalf of AmeriSource Health
Corporation, a leading distributor of pharmaceutical and related healthcare
products and services.
Choosing a Pharmacy
What is the most important factor in selecting a pharmacy? A convenient
location, according to 26 percent of the survey respondents. Low prices came
in next, at 20 percent, followed by "trust" and "personalized attention and
service" at 15 percent.
Among respondents 55 and over, who purchase more medications than any
other group, the results were different. Trust ranked even higher among
respondents 55-64. In fact, 23 percent said this was their top criterion.
Among senior citizens (64+), personal attention also ranked high, with
20 percent of seniors selecting this as the key reason to choose a pharmacy.
Pharmacists also ranked second only to physicians when people seek advice
about medications or medication interactions, according to the survey. When
asked whom they were most likely to consult about these issues, 48 percent of
respondents chose physicians, while 37 percent chose pharmacists. Among adults
35 to 64 years of age, pharmacists were the top choice, while women were
almost evenly split, with 45 percent choosing physicians and 44 percent
selecting pharmacists.
Lastly, the survey questioned people about their use of herbal and
homeopathic medicines. While 27 percent of respondents said they did take
these products, nearly two thirds of those who reported using herbal or
homeopathic products said they did not inform their pharmacists about it.
Herbal and homeopathic products were used most by adults ages 35-54. This
group was also the least likely to inform pharmacists about the use of these
products.
The AmeriSource Index
The first AmeriSource Index, released today, is a quarterly survey of
trends, purchasing behaviors and opinions about pharmacists and their
customers. Future surveys will be released on a quarterly basis.
About AmeriSource
AmeriSource Health Corporation (NYSE: AAS), with approximately $14 billion
in annualized operating revenue, is a leading distributor of pharmaceutical
and related healthcare products and services, and the industry's largest
provider of pharmaceuticals to the acute care/health systems market.
Headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, the Company serves its base of about
15,000 customers accounts through a national network of more than
20 strategically located distribution facilities. For news and additional
information about the company, visit its web site at www.amerisource.com.
SOURCE AmeriSource Health Corporation
CONTACT: Michael N. Kilpatric of AmeriSource, 610-727-7118 or
mkilpatric@amerisource.com; or Iris Raylesberg of Kapnek Communications,
215-830-9890 or irisr@voicenet.com, for AmeriSource/