Walgreens Rebrands Specialty Pharmacy Unit, Expands Offerings for Patients with Complex Conditions

Walgreens, a leading pharmacy chain, is making a significant push into the specialty pharmacy market with the launch of “Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy.” This new $25 billion initiative aims to expand access to care for patients with complex, chronic conditions while driving profitability for the company.

A Holistic Approach to Specialty Pharmacy

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy is designed to break down barriers within the healthcare system by leveraging the company’s existing network of trusted pharmacists and strong community presence. The program offers convenient access to hard-to-find medications while providing critical adherence support, empowering payers to better manage specialty drug costs.The comprehensive care model goes beyond medication dispensing, offering a suite of services designed to improve patient outcomes. This includes:

• A dedicated Gene and Cell Therapy Services and Innovation Center in Pittsburgh, PA, equipped to handle the complexities of gene and cell therapies, including supply chain management, logistics, and financial assistance.
• Four central pharmacies with nationally recognized accreditations, housing expert pharmacists and care teams focused on dispensing complex medications and managing chronic or rare conditions.
• The most extensive network of community-based specialty pharmacies in the nation, conveniently located near medical centers to provide faster access to medications and offer services like injection training, medication side effect management, and financial assistance coordination.
• Over 1,500 specialty-trained pharmacists, 5,000 patient advocacy team members, and dedicated Specialty360 teams creating a comprehensive support system for patients across all specialty conditions and therapies.
• 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.”

A Strategic Move in a Growing Market

Walgreens’ entry into the specialty pharmacy market comes at a time when the demand for specialized care is increasing. Patients with complex, chronic conditions often face challenges in accessing the medications and support they need. By offering a comprehensive solution that combines medication access, clinical support, and patient education, Walgreens aims to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden on patients and healthcare providers.The launch of Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy is a significant step forward for the company, positioning it as a leader in the specialty pharmacy market. By leveraging its extensive network, expertise, and commitment to patient care, Walgreens is poised to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients with complex, chronic conditions.