Walgreens, VillageMD enter partnership to offer new hi-tech primary care centers in Houston

Walgreens and VillageMD are pairing up to offer adults in the Houston area access to five new primary care clinics with state-of-the-art technology. The companies announced the news in a press release earlier this week. The new primary care clinics will be built alongside current Walgreens stores to offer “state-of-the-art” comprehensive healthcare services as well as a tight integration of pharmacists, nurses and social workers.

The first ‘Village Medical at Walgreens’ location will open in late 2019 and be comprised of 2,500 square feet to serve the full adult continuum, including seniors, the companies said. The  announcement arrives on the heels of recent news that the drug store chain is struggling to sell medications due mainly to reimbursement concerns and lower prices on branded drugs this year.  

The two companies said 'Village Medical at Walgreens' patients will benefit from VillageMD’s patent-pending docOS system, which integrates data and technology to give patients a 360-degree view of their health needs. Patients will be able to check-in via telephone, a kiosk, home-based monitoring, and tele-medicine visits. VillageMD says docOS identifies missing diagnoses and gaps in health, allowing doctors and patients to better manage the chronic conditions that negatively impact health and cost of care. 

“VillageMD has a strong track record nationally of improving outcomes and reducing the cost of healthcare through their transformative primary care model. With more than 120 primary care physicians in their medical group in Houston, we look forward to working with them as we focus on the health and well-being of the community,” said Pat Carroll, M.D., Walgreens chief medical officer and group vice president, healthcare services and clinical programs.

The partners added that they will continue to explore expansion of ‘Village Medical at Walgreens’ primary care clinics in Houston and other markets.