Walgreens, OptumRx extend access arrangement

Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain, and OptumRx, one of the largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the United States, today announced they will extend a multi-year agreement that provides access to OptumRx’s members at Walgreens’ 7,800 locations.

“Walgreens offers both the pharmacy and overall health care value sought by PBMs like OptumRx who are developing differentiated member services and benefits for their clients,” said Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president of pharmacy, health, and wellness. “We help drive down total healthcare costs through our industry-leading generic dispensing and conversion rates and our broad range of additional clinical services and advice.”

Added Dirk McMahan, CEO, OptumRx, “This is a great opportunity to ensure our current and prospective customers have a broad range of options, including access to premier retail outlets like Walgreens, to help meet their healthcare needs.”

Also, Walgreens and Express Scripts both have agreed to dismiss a lawsuit Express Scripts filed last year over Walgreens’ marketing tactics after the 2 companies were unable to reach a new deal over reimbursement rates for dispensing prescriptions.

Walgreens left Express Scripts’ PBM network on Jan. 1.

“These dismissals have no impact on the parties' ability or inability to come to terms on a pharmacy agreement,” Walgreens said in a brief statement.

Express Scripts declined comment, according to the Wall Street Journal. The companies remain at odds on reimbursement rates.