Walgreens, Express Scripts sign new deal

DEERFIELD, Ill. – Walgreen Co. and Express Scripts Inc. (ESI) have signed a multiyear pharmacy network agreement under which the nation’s largest drug chain will rejoin the broadest Express Scripts retail pharmacy network available to new and existing ESI clients. Walgreens decided not to renew its contract with ESI in January, contending that the reimbursement rates offered by the pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) were inadequate. During the ensuing six-and-a-half-month standoff Walgreens saw its overall top line, its pharmacy sales and its prescription counts fall. According to the drug chain, about 10% of its pharmacy business, totaling approximately 88 million