BILLINGS — Walmart pharmacies across Montana launched a new service last week that allows pharmacists to screen patients and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
“It's going to reduce the burden on urgent care a lot. It's going to be a lot easier to access,” said Arminda Meer, pharmacy manager at the Walmart on King Avenue West.
The service, called “Test and Treat,” allows Walmart pharmacists to test customers for the flu, strep and COVID-19. If the test is positive, the pharmacist will prescribe the appropriate treatment.
“Even if you have a severe cough or a complicated case that requires multiple medications, you can still go to a walk-in clinic. But if someone has very mild symptoms, like what might be the early symptoms of the flu or a strep infection, you can get care within 30, 45 minutes rather than going to an emergency room or a walk-in clinic, where you're sitting and waiting for a couple of hours,” Meer said.
According to Healthcare IT News, 55 of Montana's 56 counties have been designated health care worker shortage areas, limiting access to emergency and routine medical visits.
With cold and flu season fast approaching, the launch of this new service is hoped to ease the pressure on walk-in clinics.
“We have two walk-in clinics close to us that get busy, especially during cold and flu season, so this will take a lot of pressure off the clinics,” Meer said.
Testing and treatment services are available at all 14 Walmart Pharmacy locations in Montana. Services cost between $150 and $175. Currently, we only accept cash or health savings accounts, but we are working to be able to bill third-party insurance companies.