Walgreens, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation partner on specialty pharmacy services

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will get a "significant" ownership stake in a specialty pharmacy that treats people with cystic fibrosis under a new deal with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the two announced Tuesday.

The pharmacy, Cystic Fibrosis Services, will continue to operate under its current name and remain based in Bethesda, Md. CF Services provides medications and treatment support for patients with the disease, which affects 30,000 people in the United States, causing debilitating lung infections and premature death. In the United States, 10 million people carry the defective CF gene, and the predicted median age of survival for a person with the disease is in the late 30s, according to the CF Foundation.

Walgreens said its more than 7,900 stores, including 180 hospital outpatient pharmacies, would be able to offer enhanced services to CF Services customers, including "unique" programs to help them manage their treatment regimen.

"Walgreens has a long-standing relationship with the CF community, and we understand the unique needs and challenges that CF patients and their families face," Walgreens VP specialty pharmacy and infusion Mike Ellis said. "By working with the CF Foundation, we are both committed to CF patients continuing to have access to the medications and services they need to stay healthy, and getting the greatest benefit from their relationship with their pharmacist."

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