I agree with much of what Greta says, but I don't think we should fall for
the line that 'our North American way of life puts convenience above any
thought about ethical behaviour and appropriateness.' Supermarkets want
you to think that they are convenient (hence, their argument runs, don't
criticise them, you middle class bleeding heart you, who has a choice to
be ethical and shop elsewhere!)
But supermarkets are not convenient for many people, including the poor.
As one of the 50% of people in Inner London who doesn't have a car, out of
town shopping centres are extremely inconvenient for me, and my local
pharmacist is 5 minutes walk from my flat, therefore highly convenient.
Big supermarket chains only appear convenient when the local, small-scale
alternatives (local shops, markets) have been destroyed and people are
dependent on cars for travel. (Of course, this shift from walking/cycling
to car transport has health implications and encourages the use of dietary
products - increasing drug sales itself).

Good luck with your research Franklin! A fascinating subject. Let us know
how it goes.


> This is common practice in my neighborhood (Moncton NB).
> Examples: Pharmacy and optometrist at WalMart, Pharmacy and Drs offices
> together all over this town. Jean Couto has Drs offices everywhere in
> this town;  Shoppers Drug Mart and after hours clinics together also.  To
> say the least, it is very opportunistic.  However it is convenient and
> people fall for it with gusto.  Also, now that 'natural products' are
> gaining great popularity, every big pharmacy has a 'natural products'
> section as do all the pharmacies in big grocery chains stores.  I'm
> afraid our North American way of life puts convenience above any thought
> about ethical behaviour and appropriateness.  What scares me most about
> all this is that 'small businesses and the people who run them are not at
> the top of anyone's list.  For folks who cannot or who will not fall into
> the pattern of 'big competition, it is a bleak picture. Big business
> always goes where it costs less.  Think of  the call centers coming to
> the East of Canada where they could get cheap labor and then ! moving to
> third world countries as soon as the grant moneys from our governments
> runs out (or the grant requirements are fulfilled).  The world that
> functions on 'profit motive' is not very socially responsible.  Greta
>
> "Franklin Assoumou N." <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hi,
>
>
> There is debate going on in Quebec about the involvement of Pharmacies
> (Jean Coutu, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharnaprix, etc.) and some big food
> chains (Loblaws for example) in the health care sector. In seems that
> those type of companies are interested in offering some "arrangements" to
> health care processionals in order to help them operate health clinics
> beside or in the same shopping mall as themselves. This new business
> partnership poses some questions about the ethic (ex. pharmacists vs
> physicians with prescription drugs), the accessibility of health
> professionals in rural or small town areas taking in account the shortage
> of health care professionals, etc.
>
> I am looking for informations about the phenomenon of pharmacies and big
> retail companies getting into the health care sector (why the interest of
> retail companies for health care? What's the basics of the business deals
> between health professionals and retail businesses? Is there any
> influence on drug prescriptions? etc.). If you have any document,
> newspaper articles, working papers, etc., please send them to me or let
> me know how to get them. You can also share your view about that subject
> if you are aware of it.
>
> Thanks for your collaboration.
>
>
> With regards.
>
>
>
>
> Franklin Assoumou N.
> 401-915, De l'Habitat
> Sherbrooke (Québec)
> Canada J1H6C3
> Téléphone/Fax: (819)829-2506
>
>
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