Walgreens, VillageMD opening at least 500 clinics in more than 30 markets
Somewhere between 500 and 700 full-service doctor offices will open inside Walgreens stores over the next five years, and hundreds more may follow at new as well as existing marts.
Walgreens Boots Alliance announced the plan July 8 jointly with partner VillageMD, which specializes in value-based primary care.
Village will recruit more than 3,600 PCPs to staff the clinics.
The pairing will initially penetrate 30-plus U.S. markets as Village Medical at Walgreens, riding the momentum of a successful trial run in five locations in and around Houston.
Walgreens pharmacists will work closely with the clinics’ medical workers, the companies state, and services will include 24/7 telehealth.
“This integrated model has never been more important—6 in 10 Americans today live with at least one chronic condition requiring multiple daily medications,” according to the announcement. “Data from current Village Medical clinics shows that an integrated pharmacy and primary care approach increases medication adherence and contributes to improved patient outcomes.”
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.