Health Mart Helps Communities through COVID-19 Test Collection

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As America returns to normal, the need for COVID-19 testing becomes even more critical to help identify and contain new outbreaks. This increased need for COVID-19 testing is being met by frontline healthcare workers like pharmacists at Health Mart pharmacies. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and eTrueNorth, Health Mart pharmacies have been serving as test collection sites for at-risk communities.

Recently, the pharmacists’ hard work has been recognized at the highest levels with a visit to a Dallas-area Health Mart location by HHS Secretary Alex Azar.

During his visit, he met with McKesson and Health Mart officials, as well as with the innovative owner of ReNue Rx, Raj Chhadua. Azar spoke of the meaningful impact the public-private partnership driving this test collection initiative is having.

• 68,000+ tests completed
• 150+ Health Mart pharmacies
• 40+ states

Participating Health Mart pharmacies provide curbside or drive-through testing options from the safety of a patient’s car. Some locations provide walk-up testing. The test is self-administered by the patient with a nasal swab and once the sample kit is sealed, Health Mart staff submit the package to the lab for processing.

“We need widespread COVID-19 testing now, even in rural areas. We’re proud to serve our communities as we work together to fight this virus,” said Nancy Lyons, BPharm, MBA, CDE, chief pharmacist for Health Mart. “Our fearless pharmacists and healthcare heroes are here for our customers through the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The third partner in Health Mart’s testing team is eTrueNorth – a group that facilitates the testing process. eTrueNorth hosts and manages the online portal, DoINeedACovid19Test.com. The website lists COVID-19 test collection sites patients can find nearby, then lets them establish an appointment time after answering a few simple questions about symptoms and/or exposure. eTrueNorth relays the results back to the patients within three to five business days.