Continuing to broaden its range of health care services, Rite Aid Corp. has acquired RediClinic, a Houston-based operator of retail health clinics.

RediClinic operates 30 clinics in the greater Houston, Austin and San Antonio areas.

"Retail clinics play a critical role in today's health care delivery system and will play an important role in Rite Aid's overall health and wellness strategy," Rite Aid chairman and chief executive officer John Standley stated.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Continuing to broaden its range of health care services, Rite Aid Corp. has acquired RediClinic, a Houston-based operator of retail health clinics.

Financial terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed. Rite Aid said Thursday that RediClinic will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary.

RediClinic operates 30 clinics in the greater Houston, Austin and San Antonio areas. Chairman and chief executive officer John Standley indicated that the company plans to open RediClinics in Rite Aid drug stores.

"Retail clinics play a critical role in today’s health care delivery system and will play an important role in Rite Aid’s overall health and wellness strategy," Standley said in a statement. "We are committed to working with RediClinic to expand its current footprint in Texas and, in the near future, begin to bring its expertise in delivering convenient health care and wellness programs to Rite Aid customers in select Rite Aid markets."

RediClinic has provided health care services to about 1.5 million people since opening its first clinic in 2005. The clinics are staffed by board-certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants, who are trained and licensed to treat common conditions and provide preventive health services, in collaboration with local physicians who are affiliated with a leading health care system in each market.

Patients can be treated for more than 30 common medical conditions, and RediClinic’s clinicians are able to write prescriptions for these conditions when appropriate. In addition, RediClinics provide a range of preventive services, including screenings, medical tests, immunizations and basic physical exams. RediClinic also offers its Weigh Forward weight and lifestyle management program and licenses it to other providers.

"Through our new relationship with Rite Aid, RediClinic is well-positioned for continued growth in Texas and other states," stated RediClinic CEO Web Golinkin. "Rite Aid enables us to leverage our many years of experience in retail health care to the benefit of patients throughout the U.S., and we look forward to working with the Rite Aid team to deliver on our shared mission of helping people live and stay well."

The acquisition signals that Rite Aid aims to make retail clinics a bigger part of its overall health care positioning. The company has brick-and-mortar retail clinics, staffed by nurse practitioners, in about 15 stores.

In a conference call with financial analysts Thursday to report Rite Aid’s fiscal 2014 results, chief financial officer Frank Vitrano said the drug chain anticipates opening another 70 RediClinics over the next 18 to 24 months.

As of last fall, the drug chain also has offered NowClinic Online Care "virtual clinic" services, provided in tandem with OptumHealth, in 74 stores, including such markets as Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

The NowClinic services, powered by telehealth technology from American Well, provides real-time access to medical care, information and resources from doctors and OptumHealth nurses. In private consultation rooms, customers can engage in one-on-one consultations via secure video, chat or phone with doctors, who can discuss symptoms, provide guidance, diagnose and prescribe medications. They can also interact with OptumHealth nurses, who can provide basic health education and information on common acute issues plus identify health provider options. Rite Aid pharmacy staff are available to help people use the system and biometric devices, such as an ear thermometer, a scale and a blood pressure cuff. The service also is available anytime at myNowClinic.com/RiteAid.

Rivals CVS Caremark Corp. and Walgreen Co. already have made in-store clinics a pillar of their health care strategies. Both operating retail clinic subsidiaries and have been partnering with health care systems and/or hospital networks nationwide to expand their services.

CVS’ MinuteClinic, the nation’s largest retail clinic operator, has over 800 locations in 28 states and the District of Columbia. The company has said MinuteClinic is slated to add 150 new clinics this year and have 1,500 overall by 2017.

Walgreens’ Healthcare Clinic arm currently has more than 400 in-store clinics — formerly operated under the Take Care Clinic name — in about 20 states and the District of Columbia.

*Editor’s Note: Article updated with more information on RediClinic expansion.