Express Script Does Not Stay with Walgreens

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

The news is that Express Scripts is not going to stay with Walgreens Pharmacy and continue as part of its pharmacy provider network. Walgreens and Duane Read are not part of the Express Scripts network as of January 1st 2012, because the negotiations between Walgreens and Express Scripts failed.  This has caused a huge amount of disruptions for customers on the Express Scripts network, who can no longer go to their usual Walgreens pharmacy.  What is the explanation?  Apparently, Walgreens did not want to raise prices, but Express Scripts as the middleman on pharmacy supplies, wanted to raise the prices to Walgreens.  Walgreens was offering plenty of savings to customers through 90-day supplies of medications.  Keep in touch on these issues by going to Walgreens on Twitter or also see Walgreens on Facebook.

Caught in the middle on this are US military families that are covered by the military health insurance called Tricare.  Walgreens wanted to sign a guarantee with Express Scripts that Walgreens drug prices would be as low as the lowest prices at other pharmacies on the Express Script network.  Still, Express Scripts refused to sign on to this.

This is a very upsetting situation for the customers that for years have been going to the same Walgreen pharmacy and now have their situation in flux.  Walgreens is helping by offering the Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens at a lower rate of only $5 for individuals and $10 for families.  This club covers hundreds of generic drugs and brand name drugs at a cost of only $1 or less per week for each person.  Walgreens is thus able to continue doing business with these customers on generic drugs and many brand named drugs.

Please note that this problem only affects patients that have their insurance coverage for prescriptions managed by Express Scripts.  This may sound complicated, but it is because Express Scripts acts as a health care system middleman between the pharmacies and the patients.  Express Scripts makes more and more money, but the customers don't usually see this.  The motive of Express Scripts is to force patients to use their mail order pharmacy.  This can make it difficult for patients who need drugs on short-term notice.