Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens will transition the ownership of three retail health clinics in northeast Florida to Jacksonville, Fla.-based Baptist Health beginning in May 2017, according to Drug Store News.
According to the agreement, Walgreens will continue to own and operate the clinics until the transition is completed. After the transition, the clinics will operate under the name Baptist Health Clinic at Walgreens.
As part of the strategic partnership, Baptist Health's retail pharmacy operations will open under Walgreens' ownership at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville in January.
Baptist Health pharmacies at the health system's six other locations are scheduled to close, according to the article. However, patients visiting those pharmacies will be able to continue their care at any of the approximately 50 Walgreens pharmacies in the area. Baptist Health's inpatient pharmacies and infusion therapy pharmacy will remain owned and operated by the health system.
"Collaboration is key in today's healthcare environment, to help meet the changing needs of consumers, providers and the communities we serve," said Amy Bixler, regional healthcare director at Walgreens. "We're pleased to work with Baptist Health to enhance care coordination across both pharmacy and retail clinic services, and look forward to bringing Walgreens pharmacists even closer to Baptist patients to further improve care delivery and outcomes."
"This is a strategic relationship between the most comprehensive health care system in the region and a long-standing, trusted provider of pharmacy services throughout the community," said Hugh Greene, president and CEO of Baptist Health. "Together with Walgreens, we are eager to provide value while improving the overall health of the communities of northeast Florida."
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