Walgreens Earns First Enterprise-Wide URAC Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation for More than 300 Community-Based Specialty Pharmacies

Designation demonstrates high standard of quality care for patients with complex and chronic health conditions

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walgreens has earned the first enterprise-wide URAC accreditation in Specialty Pharmacy for its more than 300 Walgreens community-based specialty pharmacies located in the United States and Puerto Rico. This builds on Walgreens previous Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation for select locations granted by URAC in 2018. URAC is the nation’s leading independent health care accreditation authority, advancing health care quality through accreditation, measurement and innovation.

“Securing this accreditation from URAC reinforces Walgreens industry-leading specialty pharmacy care among patients, payors, prescribers and health plans,” said Rina Shah, PharmD, group vice president of specialty and retail pharmacy, Walgreens. “We recognize that patients with life-changing and serious health challenges often need high-touch support from their pharmacy team. Our unique model of specialty pharmacy care embedded locally within our patients’ communities is critical to providing individualized support to patients with help accessing their medications, understanding their treatment and remaining adherent.”

With more community-based specialty pharmacies across the nation than any other retail pharmacy, Walgreens patients who require specialty medications can get individualized, in-person support to manage chronic, complex conditions like HIV, inflammatory conditions, hepatitis C, oncology, infertility, organ transplant and cystic fibrosis. These specialty pharmacies are often located near medical office buildings or health systems and offer patients access to specialty medications faster than industry average, as well as services like injection training coordination, medication side-effect management and financial assistance coordination for medications.

“By rolling up its sleeves to attain a tough URAC accreditation, Walgreens is demonstrating its commitment to performing at the highest possible level and serving the health care needs of its specialty pharmacy customers,” said Shawn Griffin, MD, president and CEO at URAC. “Patients who use Walgreens community-based specialty pharmacies should rest assured that they’re working with a partner operating with high quality at each of their more than 300 locations.”

Walgreens earned the URAC accreditation for all its community-based specialty pharmacies through a rigorous process involving the review of patient management standards, policies and procedures and randomly selected site audits by URAC. Walgreens pharmacists located in community-based specialty pharmacies receive enhanced training based on the needs of the local population and specialize in complex disease states, in addition to adhering to URAC standards.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (walgreens.com), one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), a global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy. Walgreens is proud to be a neighborhood health, beauty and retail destination supporting communities across the country, and was named to FORTUNE* magazine’s 2019 Companies that Change the World list. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day. As of August 31, 2019, Walgreens operates 9,277 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Walgreens also provides specialty pharmacy and mail services and convenient access to in-store clinics and other health care services throughout the United States, most of which are operated by our health care strategic partners.

About URAC

Founded in 1990, URAC is the independent leader in promoting health care quality through leadership, accreditation, measurement and innovation. URAC is a nonprofit organization using evidence-based measures and developing standards through inclusive engagement with a range of stakeholders committed to improving the quality of health care. Our portfolio of accreditation and certification programs span the health care industry, addressing health care management, health care operations, health plans, pharmacies, telehealth providers, physician practices, and more. URAC accreditation is a symbol of excellence for organizations to showcase their validated commitment to quality and accountability.

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