DEERFIELD, Ill., April 04, 2011 - Representatives from leading employers and payers have come together today to discuss the evolving role of employers in health care at the first Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (NASDAQ: WAG) Employer Health and Wellness Executive Client Forum. The event features presentations from Walgreens executives on clinical outcomes data supporting the benefits of utilizing employer health programs beyond traditional services. Throughout the two day event attendees will also participate in activities to identify and share best practices on how employers can optimize emerging trends in the health care and pharmacy space.
Notable companies attending the event include Caterpillar Inc., Highmark and Toyota. Each of these organizations manages health and/or pharmacy needs in conjunction with Take Care Health Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens. Take Care Health Systems is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country. Employer health and pharmacy programs managed through Walgreens and Take Care Health Systems incorporate an array of services including primary care, health and wellness, occupational health, pharmacy, fitness, physical therapy and others.
“No matter what industry or line of business, companies across the country are increasingly looking for innovative, measurable health care and pharmacy solutions which can improve outcomes and convenience for their employees, while simultaneously reducing overall costs,” said Peter Hotz, Walgreens group vice president. “Walgreens is steadily building on our unique collection of assets across the pharmacy, health and wellness spectrum to offer payers and employers customizable programs designed to achieve these goals. This Forum is an excellent opportunity for current and prospective clients to learn more about the future of employer health, as well as share key successes and challenges they have experienced and learned within their organizations.”
The Forum features presentations focused on key emerging themes in the employer health and pharmacy sector. Topics to be covered during the event include:
- “Integration and Multifaceted Support: Keys to Improving Outcomes for People with Chronic Diseases,” Cheryl Pegus, MD, Walgreens Chief Medical Officer
- “Health Cloud – Enabling Improved Care through Enhanced Technology,” Tim Theriault, Walgreens Chief Information Officer
- “The Next Phase of Pharmacy: Integrating Specialty Pharmacy and Infusion Services into an Onsite Pharmacy or Worksite,” led by Stephen F. Kansler, Walgreens Vice President, Specialty Pharmacy Solutions
- “Removing Roadblocks: Innovative Health Care Trends & Traditional Care Alternatives,” led by Colin Watts, Walgreens Chief Innovation Officer
“With the growing use of technologies like electronic medical records (EMRs) and medication monitoring programs to help patients boost their adherence and manage chronic conditions, smart companies need to be constantly exploring how to get the most out of the health care options available,” said Paul VanDeventer, Walgreens divisional vice president, employer segment. “By informing organizations about these services, and also demonstrating to them the specific impact they can have, Walgreens is furthering its commitment to being a go-to health resource for employers and payers.”
Employers seeking additional information on Walgreens employer health and pharmacy services can reach out to rxservices@walgreens.com.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,689 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 centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
Walgreens
Gabe Weissman, 484-351-3040
http://news.walgreens.com