News
As pediatricians, our first response to the announcement today by CVS/Caremark that they would stop selling tobacco products in all their stores should be to applaud. As soon as we’re done, however, we should ask ourselves: Why would the nation’s second-biggest drugstore chain relinquish $2 billion a year in sales? The answer to that question should be a wake-up call to us all.
First, the good news: While pharmacy sales of tobacco reportedly account for only 5% of U.S. purchases, any time kids and parents in our practices can avoid the temptation presented by a wall of tobacco products is a good day. We can only hope that other pharmacies follow suit for fear that doctors everywhere will steer patients toward CVS. Unfortunately, I suspect the tobacco industry has little to fear from this development.
Dr. David Hill
Next, the concerning news: Doctors’ offices don’t sell cigarettes, and comments from CVS president and CEO Larry J. Merlo make it clear that’s where they’re heading with this.
"As the delivery of health care evolves with an emphasis on better health outcomes, reducing chronic disease and controlling costs, CVS/Caremark is playing an expanded role in providing care through our pharmacists and nurse practitioners.
"Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose," Mr. Merlo said.
CVS already runs more than 800 MinuteClinics in 28 states and the District of Columbia, staffed by nurse practitioners. Additionally, they are the only pharmacy chain equipped with a huge pharmacy benefits management company, Caremark. CVS knows where the growth is, and it’s not in a tobacco field.
Why do executives and shareholders seem so sanguine about getting out of the tobacco business? Because they are doubling down on their investment in our business. If that doesn’t scare you just a little, you’re either not involved in patient care, or you’re not paying attention.
How are you going to compete with CVS/Caremark? Do you have walk-in hours? Late hours? Short wait times? Do your patients understand the value of a patient-centered medical home with a board-certified fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics at its helm? Are you joining an accountable care organization?
It will take CVS months to empty its stores of tobacco products. If you walk into one of those stores in the meantime, take a good look at the cigarette display and ask yourself, "What are they going to replace those with?" Unless you’re prepared to compete, the answer may well be "your patients."
Dr. Hill is vice president of Cape Fear Pediatrics in Wilmington, N.C., and adjunct assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He serves as chair-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Communications and Media and as an executive committee member of the North Carolina Pediatric Society. Dr. Hill said he had no relevant conflicts of interest.