Walgreens Expands Digital Find Care Platform

The Walgreens Find Care platform grew 13 times in the past year and attracted nearly 20 million visitors.

Need to Know 

  • Walgreens is expanding its digital healthcare platform with the addition of 11 new healthcare partners and the expansion of 4 existing partnerships.
  • The Find Care app connects users digital healthcare services related to diabetes, vision, hearing, mental health, COVID-19, and more.
  • Since expanding the service at the onset of the pandemic, the app has attracted nearly 20 million visits and has grown in traffic 13x.
  • Walgreens is one of many pharmacies and retailers leaning into virtual healthcare offerings amid the growing demand for online services.

Analysis

Walgreens has expanded its digital healthcare platform, Walgreens Find Care. By expanding collaborations with existing partners and adding 11 new service providers, the pharmacy chain aims to offer easier access to healthcare amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Launched first in 2018, Find Care connects users with local and digital healthcare services. After the start of the pandemic forced millions to seek healthcare virtually, the digital healthcare platform grew in traffic by 13 times, equating to nearly 20 million visits in a year.

Walgreens Find Care collaborates with service providers in diabetes healthcare, vision, hearing, mental health, at-home COVID-19 testing, and more. The new and expanded collaborations include providers in even more areas such as musculoskeletal care, colon cancer screenings, and children’s health. 

“Walgreens Find Care addresses even more needs during the pandemic by connecting patients to care and helping customers think differently about how their pharmacy can become a resource for more of their healthcare needs,” said Giovanni Monti, SVP of healthcare services, Walgreens Boots Alliance. “In addition to adding new services, with this expansion we are connecting our millions of customers nationwide to a broader mix of health systems and service providers that now offer more than 65 services and treat more than 120 conditions.”

Virtual healthcare provides a safer alternative to in-person care during the pandemic, and also offers easier access for vulnerable communities and those who do not have access to a healthcare provider. 

Earlier this year, the US pharmacy announced the launch of an internal startup, designated to create a “modern patient platform.”  Using a 200-person team, the startup will serve as a “single, omnichannel healthcare interface.”

And in a further effort to support vulnerable persons amid the pandemic, Walgreen recently launched a partnership with Uber to offer free or discounted rides to vaccination sites. Last fall, the pharmacy also launched an online tool called the Find Rx Coverage Advisor, which helps customers more easily navigate available coverage options

Similarly, Canadian grocer Loblaw launched PC Health, a comprehensive healthcare app that connects users in real-time to physicians, specialists, physiotherapists, psychotherapists, social workers, and more. Retail giant Walmart is also building out its digital healthcare offerings by purchasing healthcare technology from CareZone, an app that helps customers better manage their prescriptions online. Walmart plans to expand its healthcare offerings to include video chats with doctors and real-time access to medical records.