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Kroger earns key accreditation for all of its pharmacies

Health services arm recognized for high-quality clinical care

Russell Redman

August 23, 2019

2 Min Read
Kroger pharmacy with clinic.PNG
Kroger Health

The Kroger Co. has attained a key certification as its expands health care services across its more than 2,000 pharmacies.

Kroger Health, the Cincinnati-based grocer’s health services arm, said this week that all of its pharmacies have now achieved the CPPA Community Pharmacy Practice Accreditation through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). CPPA accreditation attests to the high quality of Kroger Health’s clinical care and practices throughout its pharmacy network, including services such as immunizations, medication therapy management, and health and wellness screenings.

"Pharmacy is about much more than putting pills in a bottle," according to Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. "At Kroger Health, our team of pharmacists and technicians practice at the top of their licenses, working to serve our patients across a broad spectrum of health and wellness needs, from vaccinations and clinical counseling to diabetes prevention. This accreditation from the CPPA is a meaningful recognition of the work of our pharmacy associates nationwide."

The voluntary CPPA (Center for Pharmacy Practice Accreditation) community pharmacy accreditation recognizes pharmacies that meet CPPA standards in practice management, patient care services and quality improvement. Pharmacies also must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to setting and achieving goals based on regular program evaluations, patient feedback and patient care outcomes.

Related:Kroger, Walgreens expand retail pilot

Kroger Health said that in 2016 it became the first national retail pharmacy chain to earn CPPA community pharmacy accreditation, with 15 pharmacies obtaining the credential. Since the launch of a companywide initiative earlier this year, all Kroger Health pharmacies are now CPPA-accredited. 

"NABP congratulates Kroger on achieving community pharmacy accreditation for their entire chain of pharmacies," Carmen Catizone, executive director/secretary at NABP. "With the addition of this accreditation to their portfolio, they further demonstrate their commitment to providing patient care services that improve health outcomes." 

Launched in 2012, CPPA was formed through a partnership of NABP, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

Overall, Kroger Health operates 2,270 pharmacies and more than 200 retail health clinics in 35 states, serving more than 14 million customers with its team of 22,000 health care practitioners, who range from pharmacists and nurse practitioners to dietitians and pharmacy technicians. In fiscal 2018, Kroger reported pharmacy sales of $10.62 billion, accounting for 8.8% of total sales.

Related:Kroger expands deployment of higi stations

According to the Drug Channels Institute, Kroger is the nation’s sixth-largest pharmacy, with estimated prescription revenues (including retail and specialty pharmacy) of $13.4 billion, up 4.7% year over year.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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