• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

  • Opinion
  • Health IT
    • Behavioral Health
    • Care Coordination
    • EMR/EHR
    • Interoperability
    • Patient Engagement
    • Population Health Management
    • Revenue Cycle Management
    • Social Determinants of Health
  • Digital Health
    • AI
    • Blockchain
    • Precision Medicine
    • Telehealth
    • Wearables
  • Life Sciences
  • Investments
  • M&A
  • Value-based Care
    • Accountable Care (ACOs)
    • Medicare Advantage

Walgreens Launches Specialty Pharmacy for Complex Conditions

by Fred Pennic 04/26/2024 Leave a Comment

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print

What You Should Know: 

– Walgreens, a leading pharmacy chain, is making a significant push into the specialty pharmacy market with the launch of “Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy.” 

– The new $25B initiative expands access to care for patients with complex, chronic conditions while driving profitability for the company.

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy: A Holistic Approach

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy aims to break down barriers within the healthcare system. By leveraging Walgreens’ existing network of trusted pharmacists and strong community presence, the program offers convenient access to hard-to-find medications while providing critical adherence support. This comprehensive care model empowers payers to better manage specialty drug costs. 

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy goes beyond medication dispensing; it offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to improve patient outcomes. This includes:

  • Gene and Cell Therapy Services and Innovation Center: A dedicated center in Pittsburgh, PA, equipped to handle the complexities of gene and cell therapies, including supply chain management, logistics, and financial assistance.
  • Central Specialty Pharmacies: Four central pharmacies with nationally recognized accreditations house expert pharmacists and care teams focused on dispensing complex medications and managing chronic or rare conditions.
  • Extensive Network of Community Pharmacies: Walgreens boasts the most extensive network of community-based specialty pharmacies in the nation, conveniently located near medical centers to provide faster access to medications. These pharmacies also offer services like injection training, medication side effect management, and financial assistance coordination.
  • Specialty-Trained Staff: Over 1,500 specialty-trained pharmacists, 5,000 patient advocacy team members, and dedicated Specialty360 teams create a comprehensive support system for patients across all specialty conditions and therapies.
  • Wide Range of Medications: Access to a growing list of 240 limited distribution drugs, including exclusive options and medications in narrow networks.

Integrated Care for Patients Who Need It Most

Effective August 1st, 2024, AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy will transition to Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy. Existing patients will gain access to a wider range of resources, including disease-state experts, nutritionists, and care nurses. Additionally, patients can now view their entire prescription profile, including both specialty and retail medications, at Walgreens. Walgreens’ subsidiary, Shields Health Solutions, a leader in specialty pharmacy acceleration for health systems, will continue to support health system specialty pharmacies, complementing the expanded offerings of Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy.

“With approximately $24 billion in annual enterprise specialty revenue, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy is the largest independent provider that offers the industry’s most robust specialty capabilities not vertically aligned with a pharmacy benefit manager,” said Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer, Walgreens. “We have the flexibility to contract dynamically with any payer. We can partner directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers to facilitate products to market, including limited distribution drugs, and coordinate closely with providers to ensure patients experience a smooth start to treatment.”

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print

Tagged With: Pharmacy, Walgreens

Tap Native

Get in-depth healthcare technology analysis and commentary delivered straight to your email weekly

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to HIT Consultant

Latest insightful articles delivered straight to your inbox weekly.

Submit a Tip or Pitch

Featured Interview

Reach7 Diabetes Studios Founder Chun Yong on Reimagining Chronic Care with a Concierge Medical Model

Most-Read

HHS Finalizes HTI-4 Rule: Prior Authorization & E-Prescribing Interoperability

HHS Finalizes HTI-4 Rule: Prior Authorization & E-Prescribing Interoperability

Meaningful Use Penalties_Meaningful Use_Partial Code Free_Senators Urge CMS to Establish Clear Metrics for ICD-10 Testing

CMS Finalizes TEAM Model: A New Era of Value-Based Surgical Care

White House Event Unveils CMS Health Tech Ecosystem Initiative

White House Event Unveils CMS Health Tech Ecosystem Initiative

Digital Health Faces Q2'25 Pullback: Funding Falls to 5-Year Low, But AI Dominates and $1B+ IPOs Emerge

Healthcare Investment Shifts in 1H 2025: AI Remains a Bright Spot Amidst Fundraising Decline

Digital Health Faces Q2'25 Pullback: Funding Falls to 5-Year Low

Digital Health Faces Q2’25 Pullback: Funding Falls to 5-Year Low

Beyond the Hype: Building AI Systems in Healthcare Where Hallucinations Are Not an Option

Beyond the Hype: Building AI Systems in Healthcare Where Hallucinations Are Not an Option

Health IT Sector Navigates Policy Turbulence with Resilient M&A

Health IT’s New Chapter: IPOs Return, Resilient M&A, Valuations Rise in 1H 2025

PwC Report: US Medical Cost Trend to Remain Elevated at 8.5% in 2026

PwC Report: US Medical Cost Trend to Remain Elevated at 8.5% in 2026

Philips Launches ECG AI Marketplace, Partnering with Anumana to Enhance Cardiac Care with AI-Powered Diagnostics

Philips Launches ECG AI Marketplace, Partnering with Anumana to Enhance Cardiac Care with AI-Powered Diagnostics

WeightWatchers Emerges from Bankruptcy, Launches New Menopause Program

WeightWatchers Emerges from Bankruptcy, Launches New Menopause Program

Secondary Sidebar

Footer

Company

  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Reprints and Permissions
  • Submit An Op-Ed
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

Editorial Coverage

  • Opinion
  • Health IT
    • Care Coordination
    • EMR/EHR
    • Interoperability
    • Population Health Management
    • Revenue Cycle Management
  • Digital Health
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Blockchain Tech
    • Precision Medicine
    • Telehealth
    • Wearables
  • Startups
  • Value-Based Care
    • Accountable Care
    • Medicare Advantage

Connect

Subscribe to HIT Consultant Media

Latest insightful articles delivered straight to your inbox weekly

Copyright © 2025. HIT Consultant Media. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy |