Drug Topics - March 2009 - (Page 60) VIEWPOINT Stopping the sale of cigarettes in pharmacies regarding the sale of cigarettes are an embarrassment to the profession of pharmacy. Walgreens, after failing in its effort to obtain a preliminary injunction against the San Francisco ban, has filed a lawsuit challenging the city’s action. WalDaniel A. Hussar, PhD greens contends that it is discriminatory for the city to ban the sale of cigarettes in pharmacies but not in the big-box The sale of cigarettes in pharmacies is the topic of a and grocery stores that contain pharmacies (an allegation letter from a physician in the Nov. 1 issue of Family that should be addressed by eliminating the exceptions). Practice News. His letter includes the following obser- The city of San Francisco responds to Walgreens’ allegavations: “That … chain drugstores continue to profit from tion by observing that a much higher percentage of Walgreens’ revenues come from prescription medicathe sale of cigarettes makes a mockery of the tions compared with those of big-box and grocery pharmacist as an ally in health promotion … stores, and that pharmacies like Walgreens are I recently received a packet from CVS/Careviewed by consumers as health-promotmark purporting to educate me about ing businesses. The attorney represent‘safe and effective drug therapy’ in I am convinced ing Walgreens responded with what the management of coronary heart that the time when I consider to be a shocking statement: disease … I filed this packet next to we look back and “There is no evidence in the record that my recent photographs of the elecremember how suggests that a Walgreens pharmacy is tronic billboard at one local CVS that pharmacies used more health-promoting than a pharmacy alternately flashes, ‘We accept ALL to sell cigarettes at any other establishment.” I will accept Medicare Rx Plans’ and ‘Marlboro can occur soon. his statement as accurate, but attempting Carton $30.49.’” to make a case by disclaiming a healthful Some others have such strong concerns image is disgraceful. about the sale of cigarettes in pharmacies In a discussion with a CVS official, I was that they have taken action. Last October, the informed that, although CVS sells cigarettes, it city of San Francisco banned the sale of cigarettes in pharmacies, although pharmacies located inside “big box” does not promote them. The physician letter I reference here or grocery stores are exempt (an unfortunate concession, contradicts this statement, as does a photograph I have of a but one that does not diminish the importance of the action CVS pharmacy with a large sign in its window promoting taken). The mayor of San Francisco is on record as saying, low cigarette prices. With the exception of a small number of pharmacists, “Pharmacies should be places where people go to get better, not where people go to get cancer.” It is noteworthy that pharmacy has essentially been silent about the serious the mayor and board of supervisors of San Francisco have a blemish on our healthcare image resulting from the sale more positive image of pharmacies than the cigarette-selling of cigarettes in pharmacies. Individual pharmacists and our pharmacy associations must take action to stop this pracpharmacies apparently have of themselves. When we reach the time when we can look back and tice, and there are numerous strategies that can be emremember when pharmacies used to sell cigarettes, we will ployed. Executives of chain pharmacies that sell cigarettes identify the action of the city of San Francisco as the “tipping should be challenged. The thousands of independent pharpoint” that provided the determination and momentum to macies, as well as chains such as Target and Wegmans, that do not sell cigarettes should be commended. I am convinced get cigarettes out of all pharmacies. In December, the Boston Public Health Commission that the time when we look back and remember how pharmaapproved a ban on the sale of tobacco products at health cies used to sell cigarettes can occur soon. Let’s make Jan. 1, and educational institutions, including pharmacies and drug 2010, our goal for discontinuing the sale of cigarettes in all stores and college and university campuses. This ban does pharmacies and stores/facilities that contain pharmacies. not include exceptions based on the type of store (e.g., grocery stores) in which the pharmacy is located. Daniel A. Hussar, PhD, is Remington Professor of Pharmacy The comments and actions of some chain pharmacies at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. DRUG TOPICS March 2009 W W W.D R U GTO P I C S .C O M 60 http://WWW.DRUGTOPICS.COM
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.