HALF-A-MILLION PATIENTS AND COUNTING . . .

Walgreens' Take Care Health Systemsrecently reached a major milestone, with500,000 patients treated since its TakeCare Health Clinics were launched inNovember 2005. The company currentlymanages 181 convenient care clinics in22 markets throughout 14 states andplans to have >400 clinics open by theend of 2008.

The clinics are staffed by board-certifiedfamily nurse practitioners and physicianassistants who treat patients 18 monthsand older for common illnesses, and arelicensed to write prescriptions. Take Carehealth providers also conduct sports andcamp physicals and offer vaccinations.

"Take Care Health Systems is leveragingmore resources to drive an industryleadingcommitment to convenient careclinics and truly impact the health caremarketplace," noted Peter Miller, Take CareHealth Systems president and chief executiveofficer. "The fact that Take Care Healthproviders have treated this many patientssince the first clinic opened only 2 and ahalf years ago shows that we are quicklyemerging as an important part of the solutionto the current health care crisis."