Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., recently announced its commitment to launch clinical trials at select Kroger pharmacy and The Little Clinic LLC (Little Clinic) locations to improve access by increasing awareness among a greater population of eligible participants. Kroger Health is serving as trial sites for a clinical study sponsored by Persephone Biosciences, with more trials to be added going forward.
As one of America's leading retail healthcare organizations, with over 2,200 pharmacies and 220 clinics in 35 states serving more than 17 million customers, Kroger Health offers pharmaceutical companies and other potential trial sponsors the opportunity for collaboration on future studies.
“From our position at the nexus of food, pharmacy and healthcare, supporting clinical trials is a natural progression,” said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. “Our vision is to help people live healthier lives, which includes connecting them with innovative resources and convenient ways to participate in medical research. Access to care is one of the most significant determinants of health and an area where Kroger Health can make a meaningful impact.”
With select Kroger pharmacies and Little Clinics now serving as clinical trial sites, participating in healthcare research could be as convenient as a trip to the neighborhood grocery store. By collaborating with Kroger Health on a clinical trial, sponsors can benefit from services to support access and equity at every stage—from recruitment to completion—including digital capabilities and strategic collaboration to support trial infrastructure; and an expansive network of Little Clinics and pharmacies that reduce the need for participant travel.
This is not Kroger Health’s first foray into the world of research. The company collaborated with the University of Cincinnati on an independent clinical research study to learn how retailers serve as an important healthcare destination by combining food and nutrition education to support the health and well-being of shoppers. The resulting study, “Supermarket and Web-based Intervention targeting Nutrition” (SuperWIN), was a randomized controlled trial aimed at increasing diet quality and decreasing cardiovascular risk by promoting a heart-healthy diet through nutrition counseling provided by a registered dietitian. Since its onset, SuperWIN has shown clinically validated evidence for improved diet quality with the Food as Medicine approach.
Kroger Health has established itself as a destination for health needs, bringing a World of Care in Store to the communities it serves. Customers can fill their prescriptions at Kroger Family of Pharmacies, visit the Little Clinic, get professional nutrition tips, enjoy healthy living inspiration and so much more—right where they shop for their groceries. Building upon Kroger’s ecosystem of services, Kroger Health offers simplified solutions that combine health, wellness and nutrition. Notably, the company reinforced its position as a trusted community healthcare destination during the COVID-19 pandemic by broadening its health services to meet customers where they are with best-in-class patient care.
To learn more about how Kroger Health can support clinical trials, visit krogerhealth.com/clinical-trial-sponsor.