Walmart, Express Scripts ink 3-year pharmacy deal
Walmart and Express Scripts extended an existing network agreement to provide member clients with Express Scripts access to Walmart’s prescription services.
Walmart has 4,700 locations with pharmacies.
The extension is a three-year deal. As a pharmacy benefit manager, Express Scripts deals directly with pharmaceutical companies. The two companies maintain their partnership will provide access to discounts for consumers with no healthcare coverage and products not covered by insurance. Walmart has operated a $4 program since 2006, offering low-cost options for certain consumers.
"Helping customers save money and live better is our mission at Walmart, and a key component of that is to help them save money on healthcare like prescription drugs," Luke Kleyn, vice president of payer relations at Walmart, said in a statement. "This new Agreement helps both insured and uninsured Americans access to affordable prescriptions."
Express Scripts was recently acquired by health insurance company Aetna in a deal valued at $67 billion. According to the company, it saves its clients $32 billion on prescription drug bills. Express Scripts serves more than 3,000 clients, including employers, health plans, government agencies, unions and others, and 83 million Americans.
"Prescription drugs are the first line of treatment for many illnesses, and it is critical to create and sustain affordable access to innovative therapies," Amy Bricker, president of supply chain at Express Scripts, said in a statement. "Our clients and patients value our ability to deliver quality, cost-effective care on their terms, and we are pleased to partner with Walmart to expand affordable access for insured and uninsured patients."
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."