ST. LOUIS — Express Scripts Inc. is replacing CVS Pharmacy with Walgreens in its retail pharmacy network for Tricare, the U.S. military’s health care and drug benefits program.

Plans call for Walgreens pharmacies to join the Express Scripts network for Tricare on December 1. CVS pharmacies — including CVS units in Target Corp. stores — will no longer be part of the Tricare network.

“The new network will have more than 58,000 locations nationwide and ensures Tricare beneficiaries have timely access to retail pharmacies in their community,” Express Scripts stated, adding that its pharmacy network includes national pharmacy chains, grocery chains and independent ­pharmacies.

“This change is intended to provide better value and maintain convenient access for beneficiaries. The addition of Walgreens into the network means that 98% of Tricare beneficiaries will still have a network pharmacy within five miles of their home.”

Express Scripts said it is working with Tricare to inform all beneficiaries of the pharmacy network change and help give those using CVS for prescriptions — including specialty medications — time to switch to another network pharmacy so that there is no gap in ­coverage.

Tricare has nearly 9 million beneficiaries in the United States. Last year they filled more than 120 million ­prescriptions.