Walgreen Boots Stock Price, News & Analysis

Walgreens announces the availability of updated COVID-19 boosters, authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC, for individuals aged 5 and older at select locations. The boosters provide enhanced protection against COVID-19 variants, including Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments for their children online or via the Walgreens app. With rising COVID-19 cases in the UK, Walgreens emphasizes vaccination as a critical preventive measure. The company has administered over 70 million COVID-19 vaccinations and is noted as the largest pediatric vaccine provider among retail pharmacies.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has announced its plan to fully acquire CareCentrix for approximately $392 million, enhancing its presence in the $75 billion homecare sector. This acquisition follows WBA's previous 55% investment in CareCentrix in August 2022. The deal is expected to close by March 2023, subject to customary conditions. CareCentrix manages care for over 19 million members and generated pro forma sales of $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2021. The move aligns with WBA's strategy to transform into a consumer-centric healthcare company.

Walgreens has partnered with Lexie Hearing to offer Lexie Lumen hearing aids over-the-counter at Walgreens stores nationwide starting October 17. This initiative is a response to the OTC Hearing Aid Act, allowing consumers to buy hearing aids without a prescription. Priced at $799 or as low as $39 per month, the hearing aids come with a complete solution including batteries and a 45-day money-back guarantee. The collaboration aims to make affordable hearing aids more accessible to the approximately 37.5 million Americans with hearing difficulties.

Walgreens has announced its commitment as a founding sponsor of the Sustainable Medicines Partnership (SMP), aimed at promoting sustainable medicine practices over a four-year period. The SMP will focus on integrated projects to reduce waste and environmental impact, guided by six sustainability pillars. Walgreens has previously disposed of over 3 million pounds of unused medications through its safe disposal program. The partnership aligns with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and includes collaboration with various stakeholders to measure and optimize the carbon footprint of medicines.

Walgreens is actively preparing for Hurricane Ian, prioritizing the safety of patients, customers, and team members in Florida. Under the State of Emergency, pharmacists can refill non-controlled medications for up to a 30-day supply without prescriber authorization. Walgreens will deploy mobile pharmacies and emergency power generators to areas potentially affected. The company emphasizes that customers should follow emergency directives and check the Walgreens website for updates. Senior VP Lisa Badgley affirmed the commitment to community well-being and operational readiness amidst the storm.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) announced its full acquisition of Shields Health Solutions for approximately $1.37 billion, completing a strategic move to strengthen its specialty pharmacy segment. This follows WBA's previous increase in stake to about 70% in September 2021. Shields has demonstrated robust growth with a 57% sales increase in the first nine months of fiscal 2022, enhancing WBA’s consumer-centric healthcare strategy. Additionally, WBA has restructured its U.S. leadership with changes to its pharmacy and retail divisions.

Walgreens announces participation in the inaugural cohort of 51 Labs, an accelerator dedicated to advancing women+’s health, particularly during menopause. The program, launched by MATTER, partners with Astellas Pharma US, Parkview Health, and the University of Chicago Medicine. It aims to foster healthcare solutions for the 1.3 million U.S. women entering menopause annually, addressing a historically underserved health segment. The cohort will focus on enhancing awareness and managing symptoms to improve overall health outcomes for women+ during this transition.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) will release its fourth quarter and fiscal 2022 earnings results on Oct. 13, 2022, at 7 a.m. Eastern time. The management will host a two-hour conference call starting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time, which will be available via the WBA investor relations website. The replay will be accessible for a week post-call. With approximately 13,000 locations globally and over 315,000 employees, WBA continues to innovate in retail pharmacy and healthcare services, emphasizing well-being and community health.