The next time you shop at Lena’s Food Stores, you’ll also be able to get prescriptions filled, thanks to a unique business venture between Aurora Pharmacy and Lena’s Food Market.

Beginning on April 24 Aurora Pharmacy will be housed in the Lena’s Food Market located at Midtown, on 54th and Capitol Drive, filling a much-needed void in the community. Lena’s Food Market customers will also be able to get prescriptions filled at another Aurora Pharmacy, when Lena’s Food Market opens at 709 East Capitol Drive on May 8. The in-store pharmacy is a first for Lena’s Food Market, which purchased two stores vacated by Jewel-Osco when they left the Milwaukee market in February.

"Access is important to our patients and these two new locations will provide shoppers with another option for prescription medications and other health services," said John Gates, director of pharmacy operations for Aurora Pharmacy. "We offer a variety of wellness benefits, such as our free Diabetes Days clinics, and look forward to serving residents in the community."

The owners of Lena’s Food Stores, which will have six stores in Milwaukee, are delighted to have Aurora Pharmacy in their two new stores.

"We are very pleased to partner with Aurora Pharmacy and to be able to offer our customers access to a pharmacy provider," said Greg Martin, second generation owner of Lena’s Food Market. "This is a win-win situation for everyone--Aurora Pharmacy, Lena’s Food Market and the community. With so many of our residents struggling with illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, the education component that Aurora Pharmacy provides is very timely and appreciated.

"We have had some discussions with Aurora Pharmacy staff about holding health fairs in our stores. We welcome the opportunity to do whatever we can to increase awareness about health and wellness issues in our community," said Martin.

In addition to filling prescriptions, Aurora Pharmacy will offer customers a variety of personal services such as:

o Patient consultations--Aurora Pharmacists provide one-on-one consultations and are always available to answer questions.

o Safety and accuracy-Pharmacists check and recheck every prescription.

o Value-based services--Aurora pharmacists always check for and dispense comparable generic medications (when allowed by a patient's doctor).

o Convenience--Aurora Pharmacy accepts more than 300 insurance plans.

Aurora Pharmacy also offers next-day home delivery from all its locations. Mail order prescriptions are also available upon request.

Aurora Pharmacy, with more than 120 retail pharmacies, is part of Aurora Health Care, a not-for-profit Wisconsin health care provider and a nationally recognized leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care. Aurora offers services in more than 90 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin.