Walgreens gets top score among drug chains in Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A national gay-rights organization has given Walgreens top marks for its practices related to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

In its 2014 Corporate Equality Index, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation gave the Deerfield, Ill.-based retail pharmacy chain a "perfect" score of 100. 2014 is the ninth year that Walgreens has won a perfect score.

"As a company that prides itself on its commitment to diversity and inclusion, we know that an atmosphere that fosters people's growth and development despite individual differences is critical to the future of our company," Walgreens chief human resource officer Kathleen Wilson-Thompson said. "It is an honor to be recognized once again by the Human Rights Campaign for our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, and I applaud our team for continuing to evolve policies and practices to help ensure a welcoming workplace for all."

The second- and third-largest retail pharmacy chains, CVS and Rite Aid, received scores of 85 and 60, respectively. Other retailers on the list include Safeway, with a score of 100; Kroger, 85; Delhaize, 100; Supervalu, 90; Ahold, 55; Walmart, 80; Target, 100; Meijer, 25; Kmart parent company Sears Holdings, 100; Costco, 90; Dollar General, 75; and Family Dollar, 30. Among the three major wholesalers, Cardinal Health and McKesson both received scores of 100, while AmerisourceBergen's score was 55.