WBA marks Vitamin Angels milestone

Walgreens Boots Alliance’s collaboration with Vitamin Angels is highlighting a big attainment that speaks to the partnership’s impact. The retailer announced Friday that it has distributed vitamins and minerals to more than 300 million women and children through the Vitamin Angels collaboration. 

The companies have set a new goal of reaching 500 million women and children by the end of August 2025 — the end of WBA’s fiscal year. 

“This milestone with Vitamin Angels is remarkable and exemplifies the commitment we have to the health and well-being of women and children around the world,” said Richard Ellis, WBA vice president of corporate social responsibility. “I’m extremely proud of our partnership and the work we continue to do to help people lead healthier and happier lives.”

The companies have worked together since 2013 to offer vitamins and minerals to women and children worldwide who are undernourished. With its focus on such at-risk populations as pregnant women, new mothers and children under 5 years old, Vitamin Angels works to provide access to vitamins and minerals, with program partners in 50 states, Puerto Rico and 65 countries. 

The two companies have recently launched a prenatal vitamin pilot program in 16 Walgreens stores on Chicago’s South and West sides. They noted that Kaiser Family Foundation research from 2016 found that 25% of pregnancies in the United States experience limited access to prenatal vitamins due to gaps in insurance coverage during pregnancy. The pilot program offers vouchers to pregnant women via WBA community partners for a free six-month supply of prenatal vitamins. 

“WBA has helped millions of mothers and children at risk of malnutrition by providing life-saving nutrients,” said Howard Schiffer, founder and president of Vitamin Angels. “We are honored to be partnered with them and look forward to our next milestone of 500 million vitamins distributed by 2025.”