LabCorp To Offer Medical Tests at Duane Reade Drugstores in New York City

North Carolina-based LabCorp, the nation's second-largest operator of medical testing laboratories, on Wednesday said it has signed an agreement with New York City pharmacy chain Duane Reade to open 20 patient service clinics in their stores, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. The patient centers, which will open over the next few months, will collect blood and urine samples for some medical tests. Laboratory tests will be completed at other LabCorp sites. LabCorp spokesperson Pam Sherry said the company believes "the model would be a good one to expand with similar partners." The company is looking to establish several hundred testing labs nationwide to make such services more accessible to UnitedHealth Group beneficiaries. LabCorp is the exclusive national lab for the insurer. According to the News & Observer, the deal "is part of a broader trend in which drugstore chains are providing services to lure customers" (Ranii, Raleigh News & Observer, 10/26).