The American Medical Association (AMA) wants legislation to control the operation of retail clinics at the state and federal level. They will ask federal and state agencies to investigate retail health clinics that are joint ventures between retailers and pharmacy chains. The AMA contends that conflicts of interest exist because retail clinics increase prescription drugs sales and other product. The clinic is not independent of the store which sells the drugs the prescriptions, hence the conflict of interest according to the AMA.

Retail health clinics are being installed in large retail chains like Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreen and Rite Aid. About 1000 clinics are expected to be operational by the end of 2007.Nurse practitioners or physician assistants offer basic procedures and they charge less than a doctor's practice. The clinics are supervised by a physician who does not have to be on site.

AMA members, particularly primary care physicians, are concerned that the greater accessibility of retail clinics will cost them business.