Wal-Mart Stores' Health and Wellness Business Unit, Bentonville, Arkansas, USA.
Health Aff (Millwood). 2009 Sep-Oct;28(5):1336-42. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.5.1336.
Improved supply-chain management and high-volume purchasing have benefited other industries. This same approach could also reduce health care costs. Streamlining layers in the supply chain and using purchasing volume to reduce prices can save money and may improve care. Providing access to in-store health clinics and low-cost generic drugs are examples of how this approach is being tested by mass retailers. We examine lessons learned from these and similar initiatives and identify opportunities to cut the costs of generic and name-brand drugs, medical supplies, over-the-counter remedies, and vision care.
改进供应链管理和大宗采购有益于其他行业。这种方法同样也可以降低医疗成本。简化供应链的环节，并利用采购量来压低价格，可以省钱，也可能改善医疗服务。为顾客提供店内诊所和低价非专利药就是大型零售商正在尝试的例子。我们从这些和类似的举措中汲取经验教训，寻找降低通用名药和品牌药、医疗用品、非处方药物和视力保健成本的机会。
