Why doesn't my HMO pharmacy carry toothpaste?

Factual Questions
1

I was off yesterday picking up a refill at my HMO’s pharmacy. While waiting in line, there were all sorts of OTC medications to purchase. Antacids, mosquito repellent, suppositories, vitamins, pain relievers, etc.

But there was no toothpaste.

Is there any particular reason for this? Is it because nearly everybody buys toothpaste when they shop for groceries that there is no need to go to a pharmacy for it? Most of the OTC stuff that is sold is fairly cheap compared to a regular pharmacy so it is a case also that my HMO doesn’t get any deals on toothpaste either?

2

Given the high volume of toothpaste sales at grocery stores/Wal-Mart/Target, etc., the prices (and profit margins) on toothpaste are fairly low. At least, compared to the profits on most of the other semi-medical things they sell.

So they by devoting their limited shelf space to that other stuff, they can make higher profit margins, and don’t have to compete with the grocery stores & big discount chains. Much better deal for them!