Winn-Dixie Pharmacies Provide In-store Heart Health Solutions

To help customers be more proactive about their cardiovascular health during American Heart Month in February, Winn-Dixie pharmacies are offering a range of programs.

For instance, each Winn-Dixie pharmacy holds free cholesterol screenings for customers, and most stores have blood pressure machines at which shoppers can perform the recommended monthly checks of their blood pressure. Additionally, this month Winn-Dixie has joined forces with the Rockville, Md.-based Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to offer a free “Treating High Cholesterol” guide in both English and Spanish.

“As part of the health care team, your Winn-Dixie pharmacist plays a significant role in the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease,” said John Fegan, VP of pharmacy at the Jacksonville, Fla.-based grocer, which operates about 480 supermarkets and around 380 in-store pharmacies in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi. “With pharmacies in a majority of our stores, Winn-Dixie is distinctively positioned to offer guests expert consultation, disease prevention information and medications alongside an abundant selection of heart-healthy meal and dietary solutions.”

Also this month, guests can avail themselves of special promotions near the pharmacy, among them an exclusive two-for-$4 deal from Quaker Oats Oatmeal on an 18-ounce package. Oatmeal is a heart-healthy option that research indicates may lower cholesterol.

Further, Winn-Dixie has a downloadable pharmacy app available as a free download through Apple Inc.’s iTunes, the Android Market, BlackBerry App World or via links on the grocer’s website. The Winn-Dixie Pharmacy app makes it easy for shoppers to view and reorder prescriptions, receive alerts when a prescription is ready, and set reminders to take medications.