Walgreen clinics to shed 'Take Care' brand

DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Walgreen Co. is changing the name on its in-store clinics to reflect a push by the nation's largest drugstore chain for its stores to become known as more than just a place to pick up prescriptions.

The Deerfield, Ill., company said Monday its Take Care Clinic will be renamed Healthcare Clinic. The in-store clinics will still offer the same services.

Clinics in drugstores and grocery stores have grown popular in recent years as a convenient and less expensive way to treat relatively minor illnesses when a patient doesn't have a doctor or if their physician isn't available.

These clinics, which are run by nurse practitioners or physician assistants, started off several years ago treating cases of the flu, sinus infections or sprained ankles. But most of Walgreen's roughly 370 clinics also are expanding the scope of what they handle.

Walgreen said last spring its clinics also will handle chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure.

The company said the name change will help its goal of changing the role of the community pharmacy by providing more comprehensive care options.

Drugstores have been expanding their focus on health care in recent years to prepare for aging Baby Boomers and the millions of people who are expected to receive insurance coverage under the federal health care overhaul law. They also face growing competition from grocery stores and giant retailers like Target and Wal-Mart that are muscling more into their turf.