title: Availability of snacks, candy and beverages in hospital, community clinic and commercial pharmacies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to measure the availability of energy-dense foods and sugar-sweetened beverages in pharmacies and to examine differences by pharmacy type and presence of a food policy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Trained research staff visited pharmacies (n 37) to measure shelf space and variety of snacks, candy and sugar-sweetened beverages available within 10 ft (3·05 m) of the pharmacy register.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community clinic, hospital and commercial pharmacies in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Employees were interviewed regarding pharmacy food policies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 60 % of pharmacies had foods and/or sugar-sweetened beverages available for purchase within 10 ft (3·05 m) of the pharmacy register. Total shelf space (P = 0·02) and variety (P = 0·0003) differed significantly by pharmacy type and were greatest among community clinic pharmacies. Over half of pharmacies had no food policy (58·3 %). Pharmacies with food policies were less likely to have foods/beverages available within 10 ft (3·05 m) of the pharmacy register than pharmacies with no food policies (P = 0·03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Candy, snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages are highly available in the pharmacy environment. Presence of a policy is associated with less food availability within 10 ft (3·05 m) of the pharmacy register and represents an important potential intervention strategy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd Street #300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Simone A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wolfson
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001628:Beverages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002182:Candy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003132:Commerce; D003153:Community Health Services; D004032:Diet; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D006801:Humans; D008910:Minnesota; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D057766:Policy; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D062410:Snacks
chemical_list: D019422:Dietary Sucrose