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Health Mart tops in Rx poll

SAN FRANCISCO — Health Mart, a franchised drug chain operated by McKesson Corp., has been rated highest in pharmacy customer satisfaction in an analysis conducted by Wilson Health Information LLC. The survey was based on responses received from nearly 34,500 pharmacy customers throughout the United States.

With nearly 2,000 independently owned pharmacies, Health Mart is the nation’s fastest-growing independent pharmacy franchise network. In the Wilson survey Health Mart outperformed numerous other retail pharmacies, including those affiliated with other franchises and chains.

Besides receiving the No. 1 position for overall customer satisfaction, Health Mart received the top ranking in such customer satisfaction categories as always having prescriptions in stock, protecting the privacy of patient health information and coordinating care with physicians and other providers.

It also ranked first among consumers for providing quality professional services, for the way in which pharmacists offer advice on over-the-counter and herbal products, for the personalization of care, for prescriptions that are filled accurately and without errors, for prescriptions that are clearly labeled and easy to read, and for pharmacy counters that are conveniently located and accessible within the store.

“The Health Mart brand stands for high-quality, personalized care,” says Tim Canning, president of Health Mart. “Our top ranking in the 2008 Wilson pharmacy satisfaction survey demonstrates that Health Mart pharmacies across the U.S. provide best-in-class patient care and customer service every day.

“The Wilson survey is widely considered the industry gold standard, and I congratulate all Health Mart pharmacies on receiving this incredible honor.”

Jim Wilson, president of Wilson Health Information and a third-generation pharmacist, comments that Health Mart “clearly rose to the top for the personalized and patient-focused care its member pharmacies deliver.

“I congratulate Health Mart on this significant achievement, which ranks the franchise’s customer satisfaction level above all other independently owned franchise and cooperative operations as well as major national pharmacies.”

In the survey Fred’s Inc. placed No. 1 in satisfaction among chain drug stores, and Schnuck Markets Inc. rated first among supermarket pharmacies. Among discount pharmacies, a four-way tie for first place resulted among Kmart (Sears Holdings Corp.), Sam’s Club, Target Corp. and Shopko Stores Operating Co.

The survey showed significant variations among regional, divisional, state and metropolitan market areas. Among all pharmacies in the four census regions, Target is tops in the West, Publix Supermarkets Inc. in the South, McKesson’s Valu-Rite in the Northeast and Leader Drug (Cardinal Health Inc.) in the Midwest.