Walgreens starts new HIV/AIDS campaign
DEERFIELD — Walgreens on Tuesday kicked off its collaboration with Greater Than AIDS by streaming HIV messaging on the Walgreens digital board that rises 341 feet above midtown Manhattan in New York's Times Square. In addition, more than 200 Walgreens drugstores in heavily-affected communities nationwide are debuting new signage and informational materials that carry a Greater Than AIDS message. All materials encourage customers to learn more about HIV and ways they can be Greater than AIDS by going to www.greaterthan.org/walgreens.
In June 2011, Walgreens will team up with Greater Than AIDS to support “HIV Take Action” Month with special promotions, and participating Walgreens pharmacies will offer in-store services, including HIV testing. Throughout next year, Walgreens digital billboards in Times Square and Las Vegas will post photos submitted by every day Americans that celebrate personal “deciding moments” in response to HIV/AIDS.
“Pharmacists are some of the most trusted health care professionals in the nation,” said Walgreens president of pharmacy services Kermit Crawford. “It's our job to not only provide information about medication options but to also listen to patient needs. Our pharmacy staff will help play a large role in our effort with Greater Than AIDS to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, especially among African Americans and other disproportionately affected groups.”
More than 800 Walgreens pharmacists at retail and medical facility locations across the country and call centers are specially trained to help patients living with HIV/AIDS. Over the next year, Walgreens plans to add another 150 locations that offer special HIV/AIDS services. Online, patients can find more HIV/AIDS information regarding treatment, medications and support services at HIV.walgreens.com.
Last May, Walgreens joined the Global Business Coalition (GBC) on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, bringing its experience as a trusted pharmacy, health and wellness provider to the leading business movement on global health. GBC brings together businesses across various sectors to help fight global epidemics. As a resource for those impacted by HIV/AIDS, Walgreens is actively driving awareness around medication adherence, sensitivity and support through local outreach from its network of more than 7,600 community pharmacies and partnerships with local organizations across the country.