Walgreens VS Express Scripts: And the Patients Lose.

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

For the past year, Walgreens has been in negotiations with Express Scripts, a middle-man between the pharmacy and various employers and health plans, who paid for their customer's prescription drugs. Unfortunately, due to the high demands of Express Scripts, who wanted total control over what fees would be reimbursed and even what drugs could be labeled as generic, Walgreens was unable to negotiate their contract while keeping the well-being of their valued customers in mind.

Walgreens did everything in their power to try and negotiate, but could not meet the demands of Express Scripts. Therefore, their contract with Express Scripts expired in December of 2011.

Who Will Be Affected By the Changes?

These developments are affecting many patients using Express Scripts who have been using Walgreens pharmacies. You should check with your local Walgreens pharmacist to see what changes, if any, you should expect. These changes will only affect those with specific prescription plans. You can check the back of your prescription insurance cards. If it does not say "Express Scripts", you will not be affected.

Unfortunately, one area of the population that is being greatly impacted by these changes is the United States Military. Our service men and women are serviced by Tricare, who utilizes Express Scripts. Walgreens offered Express Scripts a guarantee that it would match or beat the average costs of all the other Tricare pharmacies in an effort to prevent those serving our country from being caught in the middle. Unfortunately Express Scripts rejected the efforts made by Walgreens.

The situation between Walgreens and Express Script is causing nothing but a hassle for many patients. They are being forced to drive further to fill their prescriptions and are not seeing any increased savings. As a matter of fact, Express Scripts even projected that there would be no savings passed on to customers as a result of this situation.  Customers are frustrated and irritated, and for good reason. This is a lose-lose situation, overall.

What is Walgreens Doing About It?

They are offering a special discount on annual membership for its Walgreens Prescription Savings Club:

For $10 a year, a family membership covers everyone in your immediate family, including a spouse, dependents 22 and younger and pets. Individuals may join for $5. Join and receive discount prices on your prescriptions. 

Other benefits include:
Savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications
Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies
Bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services

How Can You Continue to Support Your Local Walgreens Pharmacies?

Support Walgreens and stay updated by liking  Walgreens on Facebook and by following Walgreens on Twitter.  (I've been a fan for quite some time, and they often have great promotions, too!)

Walgreens values its customers and will continue to strive to keep their best interests in mind, both at the local level as well as in their online community!