Table of Contents
PHILADELPHIA—The American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists (AAHP) has named Walgreens as the 2023 recipient of its Integrative Medicine Retailer Award. This honor recognizes a retailer organization or retailer executive that promotes and sells products that encompass a broad range of therapeutic approaches to achieve optimal health and wellness for consumers seeking to participate actively in their healthcare.
Accepting the award on behalf of Walgreens is Michael Wolf, Senior Director/Divisional Merchandise Manager OTC Drugs, during a Sept. 20 reception. The AAHP Industry Reception, sponsored by The Emerson Group, will take place at the historic Union League of Philadelphia in conjunction with the Natural Products Expo East.
Wolf began his career with Walgreens as a pharmacist and has been a valued leader of the Walgreens team for 20 years. His passion for keeping the health and well-being of the consumer at the forefront has been his professional guiding force.
“Walgreens recognizes their consumers are cost conscious, digitally savvy, proactive, and evolving,” says Mark Land, AAHP President. “To meet the needs of this consumer, Mike and his team continuously work with supplier partners to earn consumers’ trust in introducing new products that are of high quality and value.”
Consumer demand for self-care and immunity boosting products sharply increased in conjunction with COVID-19, as well as online shopping. The opportunity flooded the marketplace with items — some produced by well-meaning but experienced entrepreneurs or manufactured at oversees facilities that offered lower costs but have not yet been inspected by FDA.
All products offered through Walgreens nearly 9,000 store locations and Walgreens.com are direct from its supplier partners; Walgreens doesn’t buy from other sources. Working with these vetted supplier partners also ensures that products are shipped and stored under quality-controlled conditions.
Walgreens also enables consumers to make informed choices. Its website is a trusted resource that educates mainstream shoppers on natural product categories such as homeopathic medicines, herbal supplements, aromatherapy, omegas, minerals, vitamins, superfoods, and much more. Consumers can then choose products that meet their needs and preferences from a wide selection. Walgreens pharmacists can also offer an overall solution to customers due to their ongoing education and training.
These are just a few of the ways Walgreens is able to deliver a wide range of integrative choices while keeping consumers safe.
This is the fifth annual event for AAHP. The inaugural Integrative Medicine Retailer Award was accepted on behalf of Wegman’s Food Markets by Karen Shadders, then Vice President of Health and Well Being, in 2019; followed by Derrick Shaffer, Director of OTC and Vitamins at Rite Aid Corporation in 2020; Jenn Martin, then Vice President of Merchandising for Health, Beauty, Baby Center, and Card & Party at Meijer, Inc. in 2021; and Mike Schaeffer, H-E-B Director, Drug Store in 2022.
“In bringing together homeopathic manufacturers, retailers, experts in the field, and professionals from adjacent associations, the AAHP Industry Reception highlights opportunities and challenges that we can all work through together,” said Land.
