Walgreens, Northwell Health ink strategic agreement
Walgreens and Northwell Health have entered a five-year strategic affiliation aimed at improving health equity and the health of communities in New York state.
The agreement will examine the companies’ goals of developing innovative health care delivery models, offerings and services to improve population health and reduce costs by improving access, equity, satisfaction and efficiency of retail health services.
“We are very excited to partner with Walgreens to improve health, improve care and reduce costs through collaborative and innovative opportunities,” said Mark Solazzo, Northwell Health President of Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer. “This affiliation agreement strengthens our resolve and mutual commitment towards community health equity.”
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Among the efforts that Walgreens and Northwell Health will pursue are digital offerings, retail and specialty pharmacy services and using Walgreens as an in-network pharmacy provider for Northwell’s employees. The initiatives will be geared toward generating efficiencies and synergies between the companies with the shard goal of providing quality care to New York communities, the companies said.
“Northwell Health shares our commitment to expanding access to affordable, high-quality health care and pharmacy services,” said Jeff Bruneteau, regional vice president of Eastern operations, Walgreens. “Having our pharmacy services available to Northwell Health employees gives them convenient access to a broader network of trusted Walgreens pharmacies.”
As part of the digital agreement, Walgreens Find Care has added Northwell telehealth providers to its platform across New York, expanding access to virtual emergency care services in the area, as well as pediatric specialists.
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The companies are also exploring a retail health clinic collaboration at certain Walgreens stores in the tri-state area, which they said would create more access to primary care, particularly in underserved areas. Also part of the agreement, Northwell Health’s employees have been able to fill their non-specialty prescriptions at any Walgreens pharmacy.
“Northwell Health and Walgreens worked together during the peak of the pandemic to offer COVID-19 vaccines to vulnerable community members,” said Dr. Deb Salas-Lopez, Northwell Health senior vice president of community and population health. “We look forward to continuing to build on our relationship.”