Walgreens, FedEx team up to provide prescription deliveries

Walgeens announced Thursday it is teaming up with FedEx to provide next-day delivery of prescription drugs.

The Deerfield-based drugstore chain said most prescriptions orders received by 4 p.m. will be available for delivery via FedEx to a patient's home the next business day for a $4.99 fee. Patients receive a text notification when the prescriptions are ready and can have scheduled for delivery through the Walgreens smartphone app, the company said in a statement.

In addition, Walgreens said it is testing same-day delivery in Chicago and four other U.S. markets, with plans to roll that service out nationwide in 2019.

Richard Ashworth, Walgreens president of operations, said the delivery service is part of the company's move to make health care more accessible to consumers, noting the company already offers extended pharmacy hours at many locations, as well as additional services through its smartphone app.

"This expansion of our alliance with FedEx illustrates our commitment to making filling prescriptions as fast and easy as possible," Ashworth said.

Randy Scarborough, vice president of retail marketing for Memphis-based FedEx Services, added the service "offers valuable flexibility to best meet individual needs and schedules."

The FedEx delivery option is part of the company's Walgreens Express service, which allows patients to preview cost, prepay for eligible prescriptions and choose between home delivery or express pickup in store. Patients who prefer collecting prescriptions at their local Walgreens can enter a dedicated Walgreens Express pickup checkout line to receive their prescriptions.

Walgreens officials noted some prescription benefit plans and insurance plans do not allow home delivery, and customers should check with a pharmacist.