Walgreens to acquire Carle RxExpress pharmacies

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has inked a deal to acquire 10 Carle RxExpress pharmacies from The Carle Foundation, an integrated network of healthcare services based in East Central Illinois.

The drug store chain said it plans to continue operating six of the acquired pharmacies and close three locations, whereby prescription files and inventory will be transferred to nearby Walgreens pharmacies. The remaining location will be consolidated with 1-of-the-6 pharmacies that will continue to operate. Walgreens also said it plans to hire a majority of the current Carle RxExpress employees and will interview all RxExpress employees who apply for positions.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Walgreens said it expects the transaction to be completed in July.

“We are pleased to maintain convenient access to high-quality pharmacy, health and wellness services for Carle RxExpress patients across East Central Illinois,” said Scott Haynes, Walgreens market VP for Central Illinois. “We are working with Carle to make this transition as seamless as possible and quickly introduce our new customers to the expanded services that have helped build Walgreens' reputation for patient care in the region. We also look forward to welcoming many of Carle’s staff members who will help us continue its tradition of service to these communities.”