Walgreens named 'innovative healthcare company' by magazine

DEERFIELD, Ill. "Fast Company" magazine ranked one of the nation's largest drug store chains among the most innovative companies in the healthcare industry.

Walgreens was recognized for leadership in healthcare services, transforming itself from a pure dispenser of drugs to a community health provider. From its national network of Take Care Clinics, to such health-and-wellness initiatives as chronic disease management program Walgreens Optimal Wellness, the company was highlighted alongside other healthcare innovators like Kaiser Permanente and Cisco. To create this year’s "Most Innovative Companies" issue, the magazine's editorial team analyzed information on thousands of businesses across the globe and selected which companies defined the many forms of innovation that exist across the business landscape.

“We are thrilled to be named in the pages of 'Fast Company' among the world’s most innovative organizations,” said Colin Watts, Walgreen chief innovation officer. “To be recognized for our innovation in health care is especially gratifying as it validates the significant investment and progress we are making toward our goal of truly becoming a trusted community health provider and in making a measurable and important difference in our customers’ and patients’ lives.”

Added Walgreens EVP pharmacy Kermit Crawford, “We are creating an environment in which our nearly 70,000-strong healthcare providers can deliver the full extent of care their training and capabilities allow. In doing so, we are truly transforming Walgreens into a trusted healthcare provider to our customers and patients. Within pharmacy, this includes pharmacists interacting and counseling patients in new ways. Whether taking an active role in diabetes care or other chronic conditions, Walgreens will continue to lead the way in introducing new programs to care for customers and patients.”