Massachusetts residents suffering from a sore throat or bout of poison ivy could soon be stopping by their local pharmacy for a checkup.
New regulations approved by state public health officials recently will allow pharmacies to operate medical clinics for minor health conditions such as colds and ear infections.
CVS Corp. plans to open 50 clinics in its Greater Boston pharmacies during the next three years, and state officials believe medical providers will want to open satellite clinics under the new regulations.
Several medical associations initially objected to CVS' application, but became more supportive as the state Department of Public Health tightened its regulations over care and sanitary details. State officials view the clinics as a way to expand access to care.
Read Full TextThis makes sense, if it is not designed to give pharmaceuticals a means to bypass doctors.
Or is it just a return to commonsense of the good old days?