November 30, 2010

Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS Mark World AIDS Day with Commitment to Outreach, Education and Accessibility

PRESS RELEASE

Nov. 30, 2010, 11:00 a.m. EST

More than 800 Walgreens pharmacists specially trained to help patients living with HIV/AIDS

DEERFIELD, Ill., Nov 30, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) is marking World AIDS Day with an increased commitment to HIV/AIDS outreach, education and accessibility by partnering with Greater Than AIDS, a national movement that brings together the public and private sectors in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States.

On Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, Walgreens will kick 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 across America 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. And throughout the 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."

"What is particularly powerful about the partnership between Greater Than AIDS and Walgreens is that it brings HIV information to people where they live, along with other health issues," said Drew Altman, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation, which provides direction to Greater Than AIDS.. "Walgreens is setting a powerful example of corporate leadership by putting its brand and vast retail footprint behind an issue of such public health importance."

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.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (http://www.walgreens.com/) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,608 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with pharmacy benefit solutions and respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Walgreens Take Care Health Systems subsidiary is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

About Greater Than AIDS

Greater Than AIDS (http://www.greaterthan.org/) is an unprecedented collaboration among a broad coalition of public and private sector partners united in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States, in particular among Black Americans and other disproportionately affected groups. Through a national media campaign and targeted community outreach, Greater Than AIDS aims to increase knowledge and understanding about HIV/AIDS and confront the stigma surrounding the disease.

SOURCE: Walgreens

Walgreens
Vivika Vergara, (847) 914-2923
http://www.twitter.com/WalgreensNews
http://news.walgreens.com/

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