PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle Inc. has added to its health and wellness offerings with the acquisition of Rx21 Specialty Pharmacy, enabling the food and drug retailer to provide enhanced services to hepatitis C and organ transplant patients and providers.

“We are excited to be able to improve our ability to help patients manage hepatitis C and transplant conditions with enhanced clinical, operational and mail capabilities,” says Brett Merrell, senior vice president of health and wellness at Giant Eagle.

“We value the expertise gained with the acquisition of Rx21, particularly at a time when two significant new hepatitis C treatments are becoming available,” he says.

Hepatitis C is a viral condition that causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to permanent liver damage, liver cancer, liver failure and cirrhosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3.2 million people in the United States have hepatitis C, with almost 17,000 Americans infected each year.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Olysio (simeprevir) for use as treatment by those suffering from hepatitis C, and is expected to approve a similar new drug, sofosbuvir, soon.

Health care experts say these medications could offer a more effective approach to treating and eliminating hepatitis C.

“Giant Eagle’s commitment to delivering specialty medications with value-added services such as patient education, financial counseling and prior authorization assistance for the doctors makes for a perfect partnership with Rx21,” said Rx21 owner David Hollis. “This collaboration will also give Rx21 patients the option to pick up medications at Giant Eagle Pharmacy locations, creating an unmatched patient ­experience.”