Walgreens, Novant Health collaborate on retail clinics, pharmacy acquisitions

Walgreens and Novant Health, a Winston-Salem, N.C.-based health system, announced a collaboration that will bring retail clinics to Walgreens stores in three areas — and add to Walgreens’ store base. Walgreens is acquiring nine of Novant Health’s retail pharmacies and Novant Health will be opening clinics inside Walgreens stores in Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Brunswick County.

“Our customers have come to rely on their local Walgreens to provide accessible and convenient health care options,” said Chet Robson, Walgreens acting chief medical officer. “Our collaboration with Novant Health is a great example of how we’re integrating care and bringing a simplified health care experience to North Carolina residents.”

Once the pharmacy acquisition closes, Novant Health patients will be able to receive their prescriptions at the acquired locations or any Walgreens store. Novant Health will continue to operate its specialty pharmacies. 

“Novant Health is dedicated to making health care remarkable and this strategic partnership with Walgreens will allow us to make it even more convenient, affordable and accessible,” said Pam Oliver, executive vice president and president of Novant Health Physician Network. “Our new clinics at Walgreens will allow patients to avoid the emergency room by expanding access to quality care for minor illnesses and injuries, and create a new avenue for Novant Health to support and care for our patients with chronic conditions.”

The retail clinics will be branded “Novant Health Express at Walgreens” and be staffed with Novant Health physician assistants and nurse practitioners. It will offer access to convenient and affordable care for common illnesses and injuries, as well as chronic care follow-up services with no appointments needed, seven days a week. 

The first locations are set to open in the first half of 2020, with the rest to follow over the course of two years.