Walgreens says it has certified more than 500 of its pharmacies as HIV Centers of Excellence in U.S. communities highly affected by HIV

Cindy Allen

DEERFIELD, Illinois , November 10, 2011 (Walgreens) – Walgreens (NYSE: WAG - News) (NASDAQ: WAG - News) has now certified more than 500 of its pharmacies as HIV Centers of Excellence (COE) in communities highly impacted by HIV, as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The announcement was made today at the U.S. Conference on AIDS in Chicago.

These pharmacies are staffed with specially-trained pharmacists who work closely with patients to offer guidance and support with their medication therapy, provide refill reminders and also help identify financial support programs. In addition, pharmacists do community outreach to drive more awareness about services offered through the COEs. These locations are fully stocked with HIV medications often not found at retail pharmacies.

“Since the beginning of the epidemic more than 30 years ago, Walgreens has supported people living with HIV/AIDS through its ability to offer accessible health and wellness guidance to patients across the nation,” said Walgreens divisional vice president of retail clinical services Jack Cantlin. “Our pharmacists are listening to concerns, developing important relationships and putting community pharmacy in a great position to be even more effective and relevant to those with chronic conditions, wherever they live. These Centers of Excellence offer a new level of support that can ultimately help drive improved outcomes.”

COE-certified Walgreens pharmacy staff must undergo clinical training through the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, known for its HIV/AIDS pharmaceutical care education program. The program includes cultural and social training related to HIV/AIDS issues and challenges and annual renewal to keep skills and knowledge current.

Walgreens also announced its expanded partnership with Greater Than AIDS, a national campaign developed by the Kaiser Family Foundation with the Black AIDS Institute in response to HIV/AIDS in the United States. This June, select Walgreens locations in major markets offered free testing leading up to National HIV Testing Day, as part of the partnership with Greater Than AIDS. Testing was done in coordination with the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), CDC, state and local health departments and AIDS service organizations in select markets, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, New Orleans, Oakland and San Francisco. Due to the success of this testing pilot, the drugstore chain is now working with Greater Than AIDS to identify future testing and outreach opportunities to reach those in need. Walgreens also partners with Greater Than AIDS on targeted informational materials on HIV/AIDS for Walgreens customers and in-store signage in heavily affected areas. More information can be found at greaterthan.org/Walgreens.

Walgreens is also working with AIDS United and national AIDS service organizations to help advance the organization’s mission to end HIV/AIDS in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company has joined AIDS United’s Access to Care initiative, to help link thousands of individuals living with HIV/AIDS in low-income and/or rural areas with the high quality care they need.

“With HIV Centers of Excellence from coast to coast, we are uniquely positioned to work closely with grassroots organizations and communities to help provide access, education and support to those living with and affected by AIDS,” said Walgreens senior manager of HIV and AIDS United board member Glen Pietrandoni.

To find a Walgreens COE location or for information about HIV/AIDS, visit HIV.Walgreens.com. To learn more about HIV/AIDS facts from the CDC by region or state, log on to cdc.gov/hiv/default.htm.

About Walgreens:

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2011 sales of $72 billion. The company operates 7,786 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

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