Walgreens has opened a new micro-fulfillment center (MFC) in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, as part of its continued investment in transforming pharmacy operations through automation and technology.
The facility is designed to streamline prescription processing, allowing in-store pharmacists to dedicate more time to patient care.
The Brooklyn Park center will support nearly 200 Walgreens locations across the Midwest, 145 of them in Minnesota, and is expected to process around 13 million prescriptions annually.
In addition to improving pharmacy operations, the facility is set to create over 175 local jobs and generate significant payroll and property tax revenue for the region.
“Walgreens’ investment in micro-fulfillment centers is another strategic step toward a brighter future for community pharmacy,” said Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer at Walgreens.
“Research shows that Americans want more health services at their local pharmacy, and micro-fulfillment centers help us meet those needs by allowing our pharmacists to do what they do best: spend more time with patients.”
Micro-fulfillment centers use advanced robotics to centralize and automate prescription dispensing.
These facilities relieve store-level pharmacists from repetitive administrative tasks, enabling them to focus on clinical services such as immunizations and medication adherence support.
With the addition of Brooklyn Park, Walgreens now operates 12 micro-fulfillment centers across the U.S., collectively supporting more than 5,000 stores and filling over 3.5 million prescriptions each week.
Recent performance highlights from the MFC network include:
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A 24% year-over-year increase in shipped prescription volumes, with approximately 16 million prescriptions processed each month
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Nearly 40% of total prescription volume at serviced locations is now handled by MFCs
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A sustainability initiative that recycled 3.7 million pounds of cardboard, plastic, and toner cartridges in fiscal year 2024
“Our pharmacists working in locations supported by our micro-fulfillment sites are spending less time filling prescriptions and more time on patient care,” said Kayla Heffington, vice president of pharmacy operating model at Walgreens.
F“This shift enables better medication support, more vaccinations, and a stronger connection with the communities we serve.”
The new Minnesota site reflects Walgreens’ broader push to redefine the pharmacy experience, blending high-tech efficiency with personalized healthcare delivery.
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