Walgreens is expanding its specialty pharmacy offerings, including gene and cell therapy services, the company said April 25.
The rebranded business, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, includes an 18,000-square-foot facility in Pittsburgh, four central specialty pharmacies and nearly 300 community specialty pharmacies, according to a news release. The company also has 1,500 specialty-trained pharmacists, 5,000 patient advocacy support team members and 240 limited distribution drugs.
On Aug. 1, AllianceRx Walgreens, a specialty and home delivery segment, will become Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy.
The company said the decision to combine specialty services with new gene and cell therapy offerings is to have a larger role in the growing market. Specialty medications account for more than 50% of prescription drug spend in the U.S., the release said.
Walgreens added it is the largest provider "not vertically aligned with a pharmacy benefit manager" — unlike CVS Health.