Senior Advisor, Sycamore Partners
Pharmacy & Healthcare
Fighting the fallout of COVID-19 one year in
See how Walgreens Boots Alliance is adapting to continue supporting at-risk patients during the pandemic and beyond.
By Rachel Heath and Euan Hammond
Imagine being diagnosed with cancer during a lockdown. Or developing a heart condition that has gone undiagnosed. One year in from the beginning of the pandemic, many patients are still struggling to see doctors, have had operations postponed or are avoiding hospitals because of the virus. It is an incredibly difficult situation – one that can leave people feeling isolated and alone.
Walgreens Boots Alliance has been adapting throughout the pandemic to make sure healthcare services continue to be available to as many people as possible – from embarking on new virtual frontiers to making deeper commitments to local communities. Every part of the global business has stepped up to meet patients and customers where they need us to be, providing care and support during a difficult time.
For cancer patients, it has been an extraordinarily difficult time. That’s why WBA has been stepping up efforts to increase support and advice through its community pharmacies and strategic charity partnerships.
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During the pandemic Boots UK has moved its award-winning Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists and Beauty Advisers online providing digital consultations for free. By keeping these vital resources accessible, Boots is helping people living with cancer, and sheltering at home, feel more like themselves, even during the toughest of times.
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Alphega Romania launched a new breast cancer awareness campaign starting on International Women’s Day, March 8. The campaign is tearing down taboos and raising awareness around the importance of regular breast cancer screenings, even during the grips of a global pandemic.
Lockdowns across the world have made it much harder for those most vulnerable in our society to visit their pharmacy to get the care and support they need. To combat this, WBA has been working hard on innovative digital services so we can continue to meet customers and patients when and where they want healthcare advice, products or services.
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In Spain, Alphega Pharmacy has teamed up with MyHospital to provide one-to-one virtual consultations for patients, including an early detection service for COVID-19. Seeing a doctor or pharmacist online to diagnose and treat health issues has been a lifeline for so many. Alphega has also created a comprehensive app available rolled out across Europe to make sure prescription management is as easy and accessible as possible for everyone.
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In the U.S., the Walgreens Find Care tool shows customers the most convenient and cost-effective healthcare options in their local area. In response to the pandemic, Walgreens expanded its portfolio of 65 services to include telehealth and most recently customers can now order their at-home COVID-19 testing kit helping to reduce the spread of the virus.
With the pandemic putting strain on day-to-day lives, pharmacies have shown they are an integral partner in the health system. From providing preventive healthcare screenings to making lifestyle choices that reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, pharmacies are an ideal place to actively promote health and well-being in the communities they serve.
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Across Europe, Alphega Pharmacy has launched a new cardiovascular campaign that aims to educate and raise awareness about the risks of heart disease, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Online and in-store, expert pharmacists are giving the advice, knowledge and medication people need to keep their hearts healthy.
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In Chile, Farmacia Ahumada has been continuing to grow its Familia Ahumada subscription service, which makes vital medicines more affordable for its millions of members during the pandemic. The program offers personalised discounts on medicines and products, helping communities look after their health and well-being in an affordable way.
Mental health of patients and colleagues has been put under constant pressure during the pandemic. With so much bad news and uncertainty, anxiety is becoming increasingly common. Having access to professional help or just someone to talk to is important. To address this, WBA has stepped up its mental health initiatives, both for patients and our colleagues.
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Walgreens expanded access to Mental Health First Aid training to all its pharmacists last summer to increase the number of pharmacists who can identify and help patients with mental health concerns.
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Amid the pandemic, employee mental health and well-being becomes even more of a priority. In the UK, Boots UK created the Wellbeing Hub for colleagues to access a suite of health and wellness resources to help them cope with the added stresses of COVID-19.
