Walgreens has announced the launch of PharmStart, an online education program intended to support its team members in meeting the prerequisites for pharmacy school. This initiative, developed in partnership with Guild, focuses on eliminating financial barriers for those pursuing a PharmD degree.
The program will initially involve over 300 team members across six states: Oklahoma, Texas, Oregon, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kentucky. Walgreens is currently accepting applications from pharmacy technicians and other frontline positions interested in pharmacy careers.
Rick Gates, Walgreens' Chief Pharmacy Officer, shared his personal insights, noting the financial pressures associated with pursuing a pharmacy career. “Becoming a pharmacist was a lifelong dream, but the cost of tuition always loomed in the back of my mind. Today, we’re continuing to chip away at those financial burdens, ensuring team members can pursue their passion for pharmacy without the burden of debt being a barrier to success,” Gates said.
The creation of PharmStart was informed by a survey of pharmacy technicians that identified tuition costs and time constraints as significant obstacles. Through partnership with Guild, full tuition is covered, and participants receive personalized assistance throughout the program, including application guidance, enrollment support, and career coaching.
Bijal Shah, CEO of Guild, emphasized the program's impact, saying, “Teaming up with Walgreens to launch PharmStart marks a transformative step to strengthen and grow the pharmacist talent pipeline. Walgreens is setting a new standard for what talent development can look like—investing in their own team members through a first-of-its-kind, stackable pharmacy education pathway. By eliminating financial hurdles and offering flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere, we’re empowering pharmacy technicians to elevate their careers.”
In addition to PharmStart, Walgreens offers other programs such as the Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program, providing up to $40,000 in tuition aid, and the Walgreens Student Loan 401(k) Match Program, aiding in student loan repayment while saving for retirement.
Walgreens aims to bridge the gap from technician to pharmacist, advancing the pharmacy profession and enhancing community pharmacy as a preferred career setting. As the largest independent community pharmacy provider in the U.S., Walgreens operates approximately 8,500 stores and has around 220,000 team members.
Walgreens is a core brand of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and serves millions of customers and patients daily, reinforcing its commitment to healthcare and retail leadership.