Pharmacy drives higher percentage of grocery store numbers

FORT WAYNE, Ind. Drug stores are the traditional sources for all things pharmaceutical, but grocery stores are moving in to challenge their dominance, according to The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne, Ind.

As prescription sales grow in proportion to overall sales, supermarkets have begun positioning themselves as health shops, as well. Cincinnati-based Kroger, for example, hopes to edge itself into the market with a cholesterol-reducing milk sold under its Active Lifestyle private label while also selling anti-cholesterol medication.

According to the Food Marketing Institute, drug sales at supermarkets increased by 3.4 percent, to 9.4 percent, between 1997 and 2007. Also, between 1996 and 2006, the number of supermarket pharmacies increased from 6,155 to 10,163, according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.