Hy-Vee buys pharmacy files from Shopko

More prescription drug customers are headed toward Hy-Vee Inc., which has acquired patient files from 22 Shopko pharmacies.

Financial terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed. Hy-Vee said it plans to merge the prescription files into Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations in the 17 cities where the Shopko stores were located, which include Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

“As we continue to grow our pharmacy business, we pride ourselves on providing an excellent experience to our customers,” Randy Edeker, chairman, president and CEO of Hy-Vee, said in a statement. “We provide customized care for each person who walks through our door. Our pharmacists will go above and beyond to provide numerous services to our patients so we can help them understand and assist with caring for their specific health care needs.”

Struggling discount department store chain Shopko, based in Green Bay, Wis., recently confirmed that it plans to close 39 stores in 19 states, which will result in hundreds of layoffs. The company has about 360 stores in 24 states, including approximately 300 pharmacies.

Last week, published reports said The Kroger Co. has purchased patient files from 42 Shopko pharmacies and plans to transfer those prescriptions to nearby Kroger Co. pharmacy banners.

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West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee said that all impacted Shopko pharmacy patients will receive a letter from their new Hy-Vee Pharmacy with further details on prescription transfers. Plans call for Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations to begin filling the acquired Shopko prescriptions starting this week through late January.

The new patients from Shopko will get access to expanded health care, according to Hy-Vee. Besides full pharmacy services, Hy-Vee’s locations offer free prescription delivery, automated refill ordering, flu shots and other vaccinations, free blood pressure checks, private medication consultations and registered dietitians for nutritional consultations. Generic prescriptions cost $4 for a 30-day supply or $10 for a 90-day supply. Patients also can manage their medications using the free Hy-Vee mobile app for iOS and Android devices. 

Hy-Vee added that customers who fill a new prescription or refill an existing or transferred script at any of its locations will receive a 5 cents per gallon Fuel Saver Perks discount, which can be redeemed at any Hy-Vee store that sells gasoline, and a coupon for a discount on their next Hy-Vee grocery trip.

Overall, Hy-Vee operates 260 retail pharmacies, including 228 in-store and 32 freestanding pharmacy location. The Midwestern grocer, which has more than 245 supermarkets in eight states, also has 71 retail health clinics, with most located in stores with a pharmacy. The clinics are operated in partnership with a local health care network or hospital system.

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