BILLINGS – Walmart pharmacies across Montana launched a new service last week that allows pharmacists to test patients and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

“This will significantly reduce the burden on our emergency services. Accessibility will be significantly improved,” says Arminda Meer, pharmacy manager at Walmart on King Avenue West.

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The service is called “Testing and Treatment” and allows Walmart pharmacists to test customers for flu, strep throat and COVID-19. If the result is positive, pharmacists will then prescribe the appropriate treatment.

“For complicated cases where there’s a really bad cough or multiple medications are needed, patients can still go to the walk-in clinics. But if someone just has a very mild case of something they think is flu or early strep, they can come here and be treated within a half hour or 45 minutes. They don’t have to go to the emergency room or a walk-in clinic where they have to wait a couple of hours,” Meer said.

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According to Healthcare IT News, 55 of Montana’s 56 counties are considered healthcare shortage areas, with limited access to urgent and routine medical visits.

With cold and flu season approaching, it is hoped that the introduction of this new service will help reduce the burden on walk-in clinics.

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“We have two outpatient clinics very close by that are simply overwhelmed, especially during cold and flu season. So this will be a great relief for them,” Meer said.

The testing and treatment service is available at all 14 Walmart pharmacies in Montana. Prices for the service range from $150 to $175. Currently, they only accept cash or health savings accounts, but are working on enabling third-party insurance billing.