Longs Drug Stores is looking to open in-store "convenient care" health clinics in at least two of its Hawai'i stores, picking up on a popular Mainland trend that could strengthen its appeal to consumers.

The move comes as the chain faces stiff competition from Walgreens, which enters the Hawai'i market with the opening of its first store on O'ahu today and an aggressive expansion plan.

A Longs spokeswoman said the company is considering adding walk-in medical clinics in its Hawai'i and Mainland stores but said it was premature to discuss plans for any particular store in Hawai'i.

But Access Medical Clinics, in a recent presentation to the Mililani/Waipi'o/Melemanu Neighborhood Board, said it plans to open convenient care clinics in Longs stores in the Town Center of Mililani and in 'Ewa, possibly by the end of the year.

City records also show that building permit applications have been filed for those Longs locations with the description: "Longs Drugs/Access Medical-Interior Alterations." The applications, filed last month, were still under review by the city. The estimated value of work listed for each store is $35,000.

The Longs clinics would be the first such in-store facilities in Hawai'i, said local retail analyst Stephany Sofos.

Clinics inside retail stores such as Wal-Mart are catching on nationwide due to their convenience and accessibility for such things as minor ailments and shots, and Longs already features in-store clinics in some of its California stores. Walgreens has also been opening healthcare clinics in its stores.

MAINLAND TREND

Such store-based clinics on the Mainland are touted as a cheaper and faster alternative to a doctor's office or emergency room, although some physicians have expressed concerns about quality of care.

"On the Mainland, that is the biggest thing happening now; every shopping center is putting one of those in," Sofos said. "The reason is medical care has gotten so expensive and difficult for people to make appointments with their everyday physicians. So this is a very critical need type of thing that's growing by the day.

"So for Longs to do that (in Hawai'i), that's excellent because that is something that is not being done, plus it gives them a heads-up with their competition, which is Walgreens. Now what they're doing is they're fortifying their market base by saying, 'Hey, we're going to give you something more ... that the other guys don't have.'"

Walnut Creek, Calif.-based Longs has been doing business in Hawai'i since 1954 and has 37 stores here. It is the largest operator of drug stores in Hawai'i.

Longs spokeswoman Phyllis Proffer said "we like the concept of medical clinics in-store because of the convenience they provide the customer. We are talking to many different companies in all the states in which we operate. Right now we have nothing to announce."

Access Medical Clinics was registered with the state in May and is the trade name of Kubo and Bihis, LLC, according to state business registration records. Todd T. Kubo and Raymond R. Bihis are listed as officers of the LLC.

Bihis, a registered nurse who is the healthcare services manager for University Health Alliance, initially agreed to an interview with The Advertiser but later declined.

Kubo, a physician at Straub Kaneohe Family Health Center, also declined comment. Kubo is also the medical director of utilization management at AlohaCare, according to Access Medical's Web site.

CLINIC PLAN DETAILS

During the September Mililani/Waipi'o/Melemanu Neighborhood Board presentation, Bihis said he was in a partnership with Kubo for the "convenient care" clinics that will be located in Longs stores in the Town Center of Mililani and in 'Ewa. He told the board the clinics would be in space leased from Longs.

According to minutes of the meeting, Bihis said the clinics would be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and would be primarily staffed by advanced practice nurses — including nurse practitioners — as well as by physician assistants and/or physicians.

According to a fact sheet Bihis distributed at the meeting, the clinics would provide non-emergency healthcare, such as immunizations and physicals, as well as treatment for cold and flu, rashes and sprains. If necessary, patients may receive prescriptions for medicine.

Patients with conditions that are beyond the scope of care provided at the clinic would be referred to a specialist or a primary care provider.

Bihis told the board that the clinic would accept medical coverage plans and that the cost of services would be about $50. Patients would be given records of their visit to provide to their primary caregiver.

The Mililani/Waipi'o/Melemanu Neighborhood Board was in favor of the clinics, said board chairman Richard Poirier. He said such clinics are needed and would be helpful to those with or without health insurance.

"A lot of people don't have insurance, so this is a way for them to go in and get some (medical care), and it's affordable because you just pay for what you get," Poirier said. He added that it would also benefit the insured who may have a difficult time making an appointment with their own doctors.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.