Andrew Sussman, MD

The release of the ATP-4 guidelines meaningfully changes the way the authors manage cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. The broad footprint of retail pharmacies, with their ability to assess risk, prescribe, and manage adherence, allow them to be unique partners in cholesterol management and cardiovascular disease prevention.

Quality of care for 3 conditions, based on widely accepted objective measures, was superior in MinuteClinics compared with ambulatory care facilities or emergency departments.

Retail clinic use is associated with lower overall total cost of care based on a matched-pair analysis.