Abstract
Each stage of a product's life cycle requires marketing strategy modifications in response to changing demand levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in ambulatory care center (ACC) operational characteristics indicative of product, market, and distribution channel adjustments that could have a competitive impact upon community pharmacy practice. A questionnaire was mailed to a national sample of 325 ACC managers. Evidence of new product feature additions includes increased emphasis on continued care and increased prevalence of prescription drug disoensine. Exoansion into new market semnents and distribution chann& was dernonslrated by increased tegies preseniobvious challenges is well as less obvious opportunities for community pharmacy practice.