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Medicine Shoppe International, Inc. (MSI) and MindGent Healthcare Clinics Announce Alliance to Open 'Classic Care Clinics' in Medicine Shoppe(R) and Medicap Pharmacy(R) Stores

Posted on: Tuesday, 8 August 2006, 12:01 CDT

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicine Shoppe International, Inc. (MSI) announced today that it has formed an alliance with MindGent Healthcare Clinics (MindGent Healthcare) to open "Classic Care Clinics" in several of the franchisor's Medicine Shoppe(R) and Medicap Pharmacy(R) Stores. The "Classic Care Clinics" will provide customers with access to an in-store health facility, staffed by Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants, which offer a suite of services for minor illnesses or health concerns.

The "Classic Care Clinics," developed and operated by MindGent Healthcare, a company that provides solutions for all levels of health care, will begin rolling out in participating Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy Stores in Indiana and Ohio in 2006. The first of six Indiana clinics is scheduled to premiere in September at the Medicap Pharmacy Store in Marion. Ohio clinics will make their first appearance in November at the Medicine Shoppe(R) Pharmacy in Kettering. Additional clinics are scheduled to open in other Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy Stores across the country, with over 100 stores anticipated by the end of 2007.

"Classic Care Clinics will allow our participating pharmacies to provide a convenient, enhanced level of health services and care to customers in a health care environment," said Jeff Foreman, vice president of pharmacy solutions for MSI. "Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy Stores are known for the quality health care and counseling our pharmacists provide, and we are pleased to be collaborating on this important initiative with MindGent Healthcare Clinics, a company who has this same dedication and focus."

For customers, the clinics provide a convenient alternative to scheduling and waiting for an appointment with their physician for routine health services. The clinics also provide a healthcare solution for those patients who may not currently have a primary care physician. Instead, customers will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis on a variety of health concerns, such as pink eye, cold and flu, urinary tract infections, allergies, ear infections and many more. Customers also can receive routine health screenings, such as blood pressure, blood sugar and others.

"Classic Care Clinics will be providing medical care that is convenient, compassionate and cost effective," said Julie Beckner, president and CEO of MindGent Healthcare Clinics. "MindGent's extensive background in healthcare and advanced technology has allowed us to craft a business model tailored to work with independent pharmacists and their local physician communities. In addition, the utilization of evidence based clinical protocols insures the provisioning of the highest quality healthcare to our patients. By adding this service, Medicine Shoppe and Medicap Pharmacy Stores truly become a complete quality healthcare destination."

The MindGent clinic model also offers opportunities for local physicians to invest in "Classic Care Clinics," as well as to provide physician oversight to the clinic staff or participate in a network of physicians to which the clinics will refer patients. Industry reports show that most people who visit minor care clinics, such as "Classic Care Clinics," are insured (80 percent), but only 60 percent have a primary care physician. By working in concert with local physicians, MSI and MindGent Healthcare will provide patients with the highest and most appropriate level of care, whether via the clinic or by referrals to doctors for cases which need additional or more extensive treatment.

The convenience of walking into a minor care clinic without an appointment and receiving treatment also will improve access to care. For busy families and individuals, minor care clinics, such as "Classic Care Clinics," are an attractive, prudent option. Costs for services are typically lower than emergency room or urgent care center visits, and operating hours are often expanded compared to most doctors' offices.

MSI is introducing "Classic Care Clinics" as part of its ongoing dedication to providing customers with the highest quality of care and counseling beyond filling prescriptions.

For more information on Medicine Shoppe or Medicap Pharmacy Stores, visit http://www.medicineshoppe.com/ or http://www.medicap.com/ . Information on "Classic Care Clinics" and MindGent Healthcare Clinics can be found at http://www.mindgenthealthcareclinics.com/ .

About Medicine Shoppe International

Medicine Shoppe International, Inc. ( http://www.medicineshoppe.com/ ), a Cardinal Health Company, is distinguished for its commitment to providing expert, personalized health care. Medicine Shoppe International is the largest franchisor of independent community pharmacies in the U.S. In 2003, Medicine Shoppe International, Inc. acquired Medicap Pharmacies Incorporated ( http://www.medicap.com/ ), which franchises independent community pharmacies in the U.S. under the trade name Medicap Pharmacy(R). There are nearly 1,000 domestic Medicine Shoppe(R) and Medicap Pharmacy(R) Locations and over 400 pharmacies in six other countries.

About MindGent Healthcare Clinics

MindGent Healthcare Clinics ( http://www.mindgenthealthcareclinics.com/ ) is a subsidiary of MindGent Healthcare Services ( http://www.mindgenthealthcare.com/ ), an Indiana-based company providing a broad range of solutions for all levels of healthcare from hospitals to individual physician practices.

Medicine Shoppe International, Inc.

CONTACT: Amy Hartweger of Medicine Shoppe International, Inc.,+1-314-872-5405, ahartweger@medshoppe.com

Web site: http://www.medicineshoppe.com/http://www.medicap.com/http://www.mindgenthealthcareclinics.com/http://www.mindgenthealthcare.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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