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WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Pharmacy will serve as the exclusive drug store for “Partner in Healthy Living,” a new diabetes care initiative of CVS Health and the American Diabetes Association.
CVS said Tuesday that through the effort both organizations aim to raise awareness and funding for Stop Diabetes, the American Diabetes Association’s campaign to help prevent diabetes and mitigate its impact on people’s lives.
To that end, CVS Pharmacy has launched CVS.com/diabetes-care, a digital hub developed with the American Diabetes Association that provides diabetes health and nutrition content, including industry-leading research to help people improve their health, and enables consumers to donate directly to the association.
Inside its stores, CVS will have designated retail displays in many locations that will feature products and information to help people with diabetes. The drug chain said it also will use its in-store radio channel to broadcast diabetes awareness messaging, and it will have call-outs in its weekly sales circulars that encourage customers to donate to Stop Diabetes.
In addition, customers will see weekly sales offers featuring discounts on diabetes care and related products, including glucose meters and glucose dietary products, CVS said.
“We are committed to making it easier for our customers living with diabetes to find the right products and expertise to help them manage their disease,” Judy Sansone, senior vice president of front-store business for CVS Pharmacy and chief merchant for CVS Health, said in a statement. “CVS Pharmacy is a leading health destination with expert pharmacists and an easy-to-navigate diabetes management section featuring a wide assortment of products, from glucose monitors and testing strips to sugar-free snacks.”
CVS Pharmacy also is urging customers who would like to be tested for diabetes to visit a CVS MinuteClinic retail health clinic for a diabetes screening. MinuteClinic, which has more than 1,100 locations in 33 states and the District of Columbia, also offers health condition monitoring for people diagnosed with diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
“CVS Pharmacy is committed to supporting our patients with diabetes,” stated Josh Flum, executive vice president of pharmacy services for CVS Health. “This partnership will help give our pharmacists the most up-to-date knowledge on diabetes so they can be true partners for those patients managing this condition.”
According to American Diabetes Association statistics, nearly 35 million Americans have diabetes, and more than a quarter of those cases are undiagnosed. Roughly three times as many have prediabetes. And based on 2013 figures, the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion, including $176 billion for direct medical costs and $69 billion in reduced productivity.
“This collaboration with CVS Pharmacy will help us reach millions of Americans with valuable information to improve their health and management of their diabetes,” commented Jonathan Webb, vice president of corporate alliances for the American Diabetes Association. “We appreciate CVS Pharmacy’s engagement and collaboration, both in stores and online, so that we can continue to reach the public in meaningful ways to prevent diabetes and to improve the lives of millions with diabetes.”
