Walgreens Boots Alliance has agreed to spend $1.37 billion to acquire the remaining 30% of specialty pharmacy company Shields Health Solutions that it didn’t already own.
In September 2021, Walgreens spent $970 million to become a majority stakeholder in Shields, and the company will acquire the remaining stake from other equity holders. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2022, the companies said Tuesday.
Acquiring Shields, which works with 80 health systems nationwide and represents more than 1 million patients with complex conditions, provides Walgreens an opportunity to further invest in the fast-growing specialty pharmacy market, a Walgreens spokesperson said in a statement.
Shields operates on an integrated model, working with insurers and hospital-owned pharmacies to ensure patients have access to specialty medications.
The company will continue to operate as a distinct business within Walgreens, led by co-founder and current president John Lucey, who will become Shields’ CEO. Lee Cooper, who is currently Shields’ CEO, will lead Walgreens’ pharmacy segment, starting Oct. 1.
The transaction is the latest step by Walgreens to diversify its health segment services in pharmacy, primary care, post-acute care and technology. Over the past year, Walgreens has spent more than $5.5 billion in deals to become majority owner of the primary-care startup VillageMD, as well as the home health benefit management firm CareCentrix.
Between McKesson planning to acquire Rx Savings Solutions and the Federal Trade Commission launching an investigation into major pharmacy benefit management companies, a lot of activity has occurred in the prescription drugs space, said Marissa Moore, a health tech investor at OMERS Ventures.
With specialty pharmacy medication in particular becoming a driver of rising healthcare costs, Moore said it’s no surprise that companies are investing in managing and controlling these expenses.
Rather than focusing solely on drug pricing, companies are beginning to combine data analytics, patient education and utilization management strategies as a way to save costs, she said.
“That integrated approach is the heart of Shields’ model and a big reason why Walgreens went with Shields,” Moore said.
For its fiscal third quarter that ended May 31, Walgreens reported $32.6 billion in revenue—down 4.2% year-over-year. Health and wellness sales increased 7.9%, in part driven by at-home COVID-19 tests and cough, cold and flu products.
