More Walgreens stores to get walk-in clinics

DEERFIELD - Walgreens Boots Alliance said this week it will open 600 to 700 Village Medical at Walgreens primary care clinics in more than 30 U.S. markets within the next four years.

In partnership with VillageMD, Walgreens intends to build hundreds more primary care clinics in its stores thereafter, the company said.

Walgreens is the first national pharmacy chain to offer full-service primary care clinics at its stores on a large scale. In July, Walgreens and VillageMD announced an expansion of their partnership with the intent to open up to 700 clinics, supported by Walgreens' investment in VillageMD over three years of $1 billion in equity and convertible debt, which included an initial $250 million equity investment.

"Walgreens is focused on creating the pharmacy of the future, providing a broad and meaningful range of high-quality, affordable health care services to our patients and customers," said Stefano Pessina, executive vice chairman and CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance.