Web Site Features Increase Member Service Our ongoing efforts to add value to our web site is just one way we show our com-mitment to providing valuable information and greater convenience to our members.

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy Launches HIV-Focused Web Site The numbers are staggering—approximately 1.7 million people have been infected

with HIV in the United States since the first reported case in 1981, including more than 550,000 who have already died and an estimated 1.2 million living with HIV/AIDS today. Equally troubling are the 40,000 new HIV cases diagnosed each year.

At Walgreens, we’re able to provide this growing population with a higher level of care through our customized HIV-focused web site which features: • EasyaccesstoHIVexpertsbyphoneore-mail24hoursaday,sevendaysaweek • AlistingofourHIV-focusedpharmacylocationsthroughoutthecountry • ImportantinformationaboutHIV/AIDS,includingsignsandsymptoms, treatment, and medication management

Also in This Issue:

Compounding Recipes for Success ................................ 2

Walgreens Ready Response ....3

New Division President Named ....................4

Rx Drug Update .........................4

New Rx Indications ....................4

Mark Your Calendar .................. 5

Take Care Health Tour Underway .......................6

Expanding Healthcare Access ....................................... 7

Partnering with DHL .................. 7

Fighting Heart Disease and Breast Cancer ................. 7

Pipeline Report ............................8

continued on p. 2

March–April 2008

Volume 3, Number 2

A newsletter created especially for managed care clients, delivering

a mix of news and trends in healthcare, and up-to-date information

about our products and services

Rx Matters

©2008 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 1

Your members can also enroll in Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy’s patient service program via the site. By doing so, they’ll receive adherence alerts, educational material, ongoing monitoring of their treatment, and more. Visit www.HIV.walgreens.com/info to learn more about what the site offers.

Introducing Our Mail Service Web Tour To help your members learn more about the benefits of using Walgreens Mail Service and its supporting web services, the www.WalgreensMail.com home page features a three-minute web tour that highlights the convenience of mail service delivery, and features our confidential, tamper-evident packaging,andfreestandardshipping.

The tour also helps educate members about the benefits of using our time-savingonlinetoolsavailable24hoursaday,sevendaysaweekto: • Viewandprintprescriptionhistory • Orderrefillsfortheentirefamily • Checkrefillstatusofprescriptions • Viewaccountbalancesandmakepayments • Receivesecuree-mailinformationaboutprescriptionorders

To access the tour, visit www.WalgreensMail.com/demo.

Our Compounding Pharmacists Provide Recipes for Success Whether your member is allergic to inactive ingredients in standard medications, needs a specific dosage of medication, or finds his or her medication has been discontinued, Walgreens has the solution. Our compounding pharmacists can formulate and prepare just about any type of medicine needed by your members.

Every Walgreens compounding pharmacist undergoes extensive training to ensure excellent patient care, and can counsel patientsonhowtotaketheirmedicationsproperly.Members who turn to us for compounded medications will benefit from: •Accurate,consistent,andstandardizedrecipes—storedin our central electronic database, creating consistency among all Walgreens compounding locations •Fairandconsistentpricing—memberspaythesameprice, for the same recipe, at any Walgreens location •Electronicthird-partybilling—whicheliminatestheneed for paper claims

The online mail service tour highlights the many

convenient features available to members.

Web Site Features (continued from p. 1)

Rx Matters

©2008 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 2

continued on p. 3

Tolearnmoreaboutourcompoundingservices,membersshouldtalktotheirlocalpharmacists.They canalsotakeadvantageofthisservicebybringingtheirprescriptiontoanyofour236compounding centerslocatedthroughout34states.MemberscanasktheirlocalWalgreenspharmacistforthenearest compounding location. If a member does not live near a compounding center, the prescription can be ordered through Walgreens.com or, if applicable, through Walgreens Mail Service.

This specialized compounding service—coupled with the ease of accessing the formulated medication online, through our mail service, or retail pharmacies—is just another example of how we help your members manage their complex health conditions.

Walgreens Ready Response™—Emergency Assistance for Those in Need WalgreensReadyResponse™ Medical Alert System is a 24-hour monitoring system that, at the touch of a button, provides emergency assistance to those in need. When the system is activated, the user communicates to one of our highly trained responders through a two-way voice console unit. By

accessing the subscriber’s personal profile, that is stored in a secure database, responders can view critical medical information, who to contact in case of an emergency, and any response action the subscriber has directed.

WhileReadyResponseprovidesanaddedsense of security for anyone in an independent living

environment when faced with an unexpected health issue, falls are the leading cause of deaths due to injury

foradults65yearsandolder.Theyarealsothemostcommoncause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. As baby boomers age, the projected cost ofthesefallsisexpectedtoreachmorethan$43billionby2020.Studieshaveshownmorepeoplearelikelytoreturntoindependentlivingafterafallifhelpcomesquickly,whichhelpstokeepdown long-term healthcare costs.

ReadyResponseprovidespeaceofmindandsecuritywithnodepositorlong-termcontractandonlycosts $34.95permonth*.Yourmemberscanfindmoreinformationatwww.WalgreensReadyResponse.comorbycallingourtoll-freenumber866-310-9061.* One time activation fee also applies.

©2008 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 3

Compounding (continued from p. 2)

Rx Matters

New Division President Appointed StanBlaylockhasbeennamedpresidentofWalgreensHealthServices,WalgreenCo.’shealthcaredivision.Hemostrecentlyservedasthedivision’s senior vice president of specialty pharmacy and home care. Blaylockjoinedthecompanyin2006whenWalgreenCo.acquiredMedmarkSpecialtyPharmacySolutions,whichheco-foundedandwhere he was president and chief executive officer. The University of Virginia graduate earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. Asournewpresident,hebringsbroadknowledgeofthehealthcareindustry and an understanding of providing the products and services payors need to manage a diverse and changing healthcare audience.

Rx Drug Update TheFoodandDrugAdministrationrecentlyapprovedthefollowingnewmedications:

Drug NameCompany/ Availability

Indication(s)Dose Form(s)

RegimenAWP as of February 2008

Alvesco® (ciclesonide) inhalation aerosol

Aventis

Early 2008

Treatment of asthma Metered dose inhaler

Varies based on patient age and disease severity

Unavailable

Bystolic® (nebivolol) tablets

Forest Laboratories

Currently available

Treatment of high blood pressure

2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg tablets

One tablet once daily

$1.88 per tablet

Intelence™ (etravirine) tablets

Tibotec

Currently available

Treatment of HIV infection

100 mg tablets Two tablets twice daily

$6.81 per tablet

Kuvan™ (sapropterin) tablets

BioMarin Currently available

Treatment of phenylketonuria

100 mg tablets Highly individualized based on patient’s weight

$36.25 per tablet

New Rx Indications ThefollowingmedicationshavebeenapprovedbytheFoodandDrugAdministrationforneworexpanded indications:

Drug Name Original Indication New or Expanded Indication

Humira® (adalimumab) injection Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment of plaque psoriasis

Tysabri® (natalizumab) injection Treatment of multiple sclerosis Treatment of Crohn’s disease

WelChol™ (colesevelam) tablets Treatment of high cholesterol Improvement of blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes

Rx Matters

©2008 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 4

Mark Your CalendarWelookforwardtoseeingyouattheAcademyofManagedCarePharmacy20th Annual Meeting & Showcase. If you’re interested in meeting with our senior management team on site, contact your account executive and/or sales director today to schedule an appointment. Otherwise, stop by our booth to learn more about the innovative solutions we offer:

Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 20th Annual Meeting & Showcase

April 16-19, 2008 Booth 919

Moscone West Convention Center San Francisco, Calif.

www.amcp.org

National Observances Some upcoming health-related observances are listed below to help you plan health fairs and other activities.Formoreinformation,logontothesponsoringorganization’swebsite.Foracomplete listingofthisyear’snationalobservances,visittheNationalHealthInformationCenter’swebsite at www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho.

Observance Date Sponsor, Web Site

National Public Health Week April 7-13 American Public Health Associationwww.nphw.org

National Infant Immunization Week April 19-26 National Center for Immunization and Respiratory DiseasesCenters for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.gov

2008 March for Babies April 26-27 March of Dimeswww.marchforbabies.org

Cancer Control Month April American Cancer Societywww.cancer.org

Counseling Awareness Month April American Counseling Associationwww.counseling.org

American Stroke Month May American Heart Associationwww.americanheart.org

Hepatitis Awareness Month May Hepatitis Foundation Internationalwww.hepfi.org

National Women’s Health Week May 11-17 Office on Women’s HealthU.S. Department of Health and Human Services www.womanshealth.gov/whw

Rx Matters

©2008 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 5

Walgreens Will “Take Care” of More Consumers With Expanded Health Tour Regardlessofthediseaseorcondition,earlydetectionmakestreatmentmoreeffective,giveshopetopatients,andsaveslives.That’swhyWalgreensisexpandingourhealthtour—tohelpkeeppeoplehealthyandatthesametimetohelpreducerisinghealthcarecostsassociatedwithheartdisease,stroke,osteoporosis, and diabetes.

In 2007, the Walgreens Wellness Tour provided 275,000 free health screenings across the country. Due to the program’s success, we’ve expanded it from four to 10 motor coaches and renamed it WalgreensTakeCareHealthTour.We’vealsoaddedawaistcircumferencescreeningtotheexistingfive—blood glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, bone density, and total cholesterol.

The services are valued at more than $115 per person and no appointment is necessary. This year, the tour plans to provide 1.5 million screenings, valued at more than $35million.Afterreceivingresults,visitorsareencouraged to see their doctor regarding any concerns.

TheWalgreensTakeCareHealthTourlaunchedMarch17andplanstostopat2,400stores and special events around the country in 2008. To find a tour stop near you, log on to Walgreens.com/takecareorcall866-484-Tour(866-484-8687).

“The Screenings Saved my Life” When patient Sam Michael saw our Walgreens Wellness Tour motor coach at his local store, he decidedtostopandtakeadvantageofthefreehealthscreenings.Itwasagoodthinghedid— Michael’s 417 blood glucose level exceeded the normal range of 74 to 102. The nurse who administeredthetesturgedMichaeltogototheemergencyroom(ER)whereadoctorconfirmedhehasdiabetes—andthathisbloodglucoselevelhadskyrocketedto508. “Ifithadn’tbeenfortheWalgreensWellnessTour,Iwouldn’thavegonetotheERthatday,”saysMichael.“SoIcanliterallysaythescreeningssavedmylife.” Michael was just one of 275,000 people across the country who received free health screenings in 2007. Here are the results: • 10percenthadunfavorablebloodglucoseresults • 34percenthadunfavorabletotalcholesterolresults • 57percenthadunfavorablebonedensityresult • 61percenthadunfavorablebloodpressureresults

Rx Matters

©2008 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 6

Expansion Provides More Access for Members • Purchase of pharmacy files from 27 Las Vegas area Rite Aid Stores–FormerRiteAidpatientswill havetheircompleteprescriptionhistoriesavailableatall53Walgreensstoresinthemarkettoensure a seamless, uninterrupted pharmacy service. These new patients will have access to our convenient combination of pharmacy services that include 24-hour pharmacies at 20 locations in the state, drive-thru pharmacies, and prescription label directions available in 14 different languages. • Acquisition of 20 drugstores from Puerto Rico pharmacy chain Farmacias El Amal–The agreement ensures El Amal customers will see the same employees in the stores and will benefit from the added pharmacyandretailservicesthatWalgreensoffers.Wecurrentlyoperate73Walgreensstoresonthe island,andbyincreasingthisnumber,weareworkingtomeetthepharmacyneedsandimprove accesstocaretomorepatientsinPuertoRico.ThisacquisitionisexpectedtocloseinMarchof this year.

Partnering with DHL to Offer Shipping Services Across the Country DHLShippingSpotkioskswillsoonbeavailableatourphotodepartments.Walgreensemployeeswill befullytrainedtoweigh,label,andshipcustomerpackagestoU.S.andinternationaldestinations. The service will be available whenever a store is open—including 24-hour stores at more than 1,600locations.TherolloutwillbegininAprilinIllinoisandFlorida,andisprojectedtoexpandtomorethan6,500locationsbytheendofcalendar2008.Thepartnershipwillprovideaconvenient,secure, and cost-effective shipping solution and is another powerful addition to our overall strategy ofmakinglifeeasierforcustomers.

Walgreens Supports the Fight Against Heart Disease and Breast Cancer Hopeisbloominginourstoresonceagainaswegearupforourannual“HopeBloomswithYou”

campaigntobenefittheAmericanCancerSociety.FromApril25to May31,customerswillbeabletobuyapaperbloomfor$1or$5inanyofournearly6,200locations.Allmoniesareearmarkedforbreastcancerresearch and can help reduce the approximately $8.1 billion spent in the United States each year on breast cancer treatment.

Andthankyoutoallourcustomerswhohelpedfightheartdiseaseby purchasingapaperheartduringour“LightUpYourHeart”campaign fortheAmericanHeartAssociationinFebruary.AtthetimeRx Matters went to press, over $1.4 million was raised, bringing our total contribution to the American Heart Association over the past 10 years to $12 million.

Rx Matters

©2008 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. Page 7

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy Pipeline Report Available The Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy Pipeline Report focuses on drugs that are newly approved or being testedbytheFoodandDrugAdministration. Toaccessthe2008FirstQuarterreport,goto http://www.WalgreensHealth.com/pipeline. On the leftsideofyourscreen,clickonDrugPipeline Reportstofindthemostrecentreport.

Let Us Hear From YouYourcomments,questions,andsuggestionsarealwayswelcome.Ifthereisatopicyouwouldlikeustoaddress in a future issue of Rx Matters, please advise your account representative.

References Web Site Features Increase Member Service• CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention.HIV/AIDSSurveillanceReport.Vol.17.Atlanta,Ga. CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention,2007.• GlynnMKandRhodesP.EstimatedHIVprevalenceintheUnitedStatesattheendof2003. NationalHIVPreventionConference;June2005,Atlanta,Ga.• TheHenryJ.Kaiserfamilyfoundation.TheHIV/AIDSepidemicintheUnitedStates.HIV/AIDS PolicyFactSheet.MenloPark,Ca.2007.• http://www.nationalaidsstrategy.org/• http://www.avert.org/america.htm

Walgreens Ready Response™

• http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/preventadultfalls.htm

Walgreens Supports the Fight Against Heart Disease and Breast Cancer• Asnapshotofbreastcancer.NationalCancerInstitute.www.Cancer.gov/disease/Breast-snapshot.pdf. AccessedFebruary2008.

Rx Matters

©2008 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved. WAG8220-0408 Page 8

To access Rx Matters online, go to www.WalgreensHealth.com/mcnewsletter.

For information about Walgreens Health Services, call 866-728-5795 or e-mail rxservices@walgreens.com.

Editorial Board

Editor Sharon Tarnoff Designer Maria T. Perez

Corporate Office 1411LakeCookRd.,Deerfield,IL60015Brand names are the property of their respective owners.

ArticlesinWalgreenCo.Rx MattersmaybereprintedonlybyclientsofWalgreenCo.,orrespectiveagent(s)ofclients.Pleaseattachthe following statement: Reprinted with permission. ©2008 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved.