Aug. 25, 2010 (Business Wire) -- Pharmacy and football are joining forces in New York City as Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG), the nation’s leading provider of pharmacy, health and wellness services, today announced a strategic alliance with the New York Giants as the team’s official retail pharmacy.
Under the alliance, the Giants will support through player appearances Walgreens fall flu shot program and diabetes testing events. In addition, Walgreens will work the Giants staff to produce a co-branded health and wellness publication that will be available in Walgreens stores throughout the New York area.
As the Giants’ official retail pharmacy, Walgreens also served as the exclusive presenting sponsor of New York Giants Youth Football Camps.
“Today’s athletes are role models in their communities, and we look forward to working with the Giants organization to heighten awareness around flu season, diabetes treatment and prevention, and other important health and wellness initiatives,” said Jeff Koziel, Walgreens New York market vice president. “Walgreens and the Giants have rich histories in New York, and together we’ll work to educate and motivate New Yorkers to stay well throughout the season.”
Walgreens, which also owns the Duane Reade drugstore chain, has more than 365 retail pharmacies throughout the greater New York metropolitan area and upper New Jersey. Nationwide, Walgreens has more than 7,500 drugstores and a network of more than 70,000 health care providers.
“We’re proud to partner with Walgreens, a trusted pharmacy and health services provider here in New York and across America, to promote preventive health care as another way of giving back to our loyal fans in communities throughout New York and New Jersey,” said Mike Stevens, New York Giants’ senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “Since 2008, the Giants have distributed more than two million health and wellness publications in the New York market, and our alliance with Walgreens positions us to expand these efforts.”
Walgreens flu shot program launched last week, with flu shots now available daily at all Walgreens stores nationwide as well as all Duane Reade stores, during nearly all pharmacy hours and with no appointment necessary. Walgreens diabetes testing events will be held in November in conjunction with American Diabetes Month.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2009 sales of $63 billion. The company operates 7,545 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility, long-term care and mail service, along with pharmacy benefit solutions and respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Walgreens Take Care Health Systems subsidiary is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
About the New York Football Giants
A cornerstone franchise of the National Football League, the New York Football Giants began play in 1925. With seven (7) championships, including a victory over the 18-0 New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII at the conclusion of the 2007 season, and with over 600 victories, the Giants are considered one of sports all-time great franchises. Headquartered at the TIMEX Performance Center in East Rutherford, NJ, the Giants enter their 86th season of play this fall, and their first at New Meadowlands Stadium.
Walgreen Co. Corporate Communications
Jim Cohn
(847) 914-2950
Jim.cohn@walgreens.com
http://news.walgreens.com
