Walgreen Co. to Acquire Home Infusion Unit from Express Scripts, Inc.

Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG) today announced a definitive agreement in which Walgreens, through its subsidiary OptionCare Enterprises, Inc., will acquire Express Scripts, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: ESRX) Louisville, Ky.-based home infusion pharmacy division. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The acquisition will further expand Walgreens home infusion services by providing greater access for its patients and payors. The parties expect the transaction to close within 30 days. CuraScript Infusion Pharmacy, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Express Scripts, is one of the nation’s largest providers of infusion services and for nearly 17 years has supported patients who require complex therapies including anti-viral, immune deficiency, inotropic, chemotherapy and pain management treatments. Walgreens will acquire each of CuraScript IP’s 12 facilities located in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. "This acquisition further expands our national coverage in home infusion services,” said Paul Mastrapa, president of Walgreens-OptionCare. "CuraScript IP is highly regarded in the industry for its clinical expertise and commitment to exceptional patient care. We welcome this addition to our infusion pharmacy network and look forward to reaching even more patients with this combined high level of personalized therapy and support.” Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2007 sales of $53.8 billion. The company operates 6,252 drugstores in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and cost-effective health care services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness division includes Take Care Health Systems, which is comprised of: Take Care Consumer Solutions, managers of 172 convenient care clinics at Walgreens drugstores, and Take Care Employer Solutions, managers of worksite-based health and wellness services at more than 370 employer campuses.