Pharmacists at each pilot store will be able to perform diagnostic tests in a private-consultation room for patients who are experiencing strep throat and flu-like symptoms, Kinney Drugs said in a news release.
Each pharmacist has been “specially trained” to offer the tests, and can obtain and share results with patients “in minutes.”
To expedite treatment of patients who test positive for strep throat or the flu, pharmacists can contact the patient’s primary health-care practitioner to secure a prescription.
For patients who don’t have a primary health-care provider, or those receiving treatment outside typical medical-office hours, Kinney Drugs’ pharmacists can connect them with a licensed medical practitioner via real-time video chat for a telehealth consultation to secure a prescription.
Pharmacists can then fill each patient’s prescription “immediately.”
The in-store clinical services are available to patients ages 13 and older with no appointment necessary.
The fee is $25 for the diagnostic test and $49 for the telehealth consultation.
At the time of service, Kinney Drugs accepts cash, credit, and debit cards, or personal checks.
Telehealth costs are “typically reimbursable by many major” health-insurance providers, Kinney Drugs said.
The Kinney Drugs locations testing the in-store clinics include:
7998 Route 31, Bridgeport
540 Genesee St., Chittenango
437 Electronics Parkway, Salina
7608 Oswego Road, Clay
7660 Highbridge Road, Manlius
5221 W. Taft Road, Clay
406 Butternut St., Syracuse
2912 James St., Syracuse
307 Nottingham Road, DeWitt
94 Demars Blvd., Tupper Lake
Kinney Drugs, based in Gouverneur in St. Lawrence County, describes itself as an “independent, employee-owned” company that operates 98 stores throughout New York and Vermont. Kinney Drugs is part of the KPH Healthcare Services family of companies.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
PHOTO CAPTION: The Kinney Drugs store at 437 Electronics Parkway in Salina is among the 10 stores in which the pharmacy is testing in-store clinics to screen patients for strep throat and the flu. (Eric Reinhardt / BJNN)