DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. is acquiring the prescription files and inventory from 33 Kmart pharmacies in 16 states.

The patient files will be transferred to nearby Walgreens pharmacies. Patients whose prescription files are being transferred and who have had a prescription filled within the past two years will be notified by letter upon completion of the transaction later this month.

“We are pleased to maintain convenient access to high-quality pharmacy and health and wellness services for Kmart patients from these pharmacies,” comments Walgreens vice president of pharmacy services David Lovejoy. “We are working with Kmart to make this transition as seamless as possible and quickly introduce our new customers to the expanded health and wellness services that have helped build Walgreens’ reputation for patient care.”

Walgreens completed the acquisition of the first pharmacy’s prescription files and inventory on January 27 in Rice Lake, Wis. The remaining file acquisitions from Kmart, part of Sears Holdings Corp., are expected to be made throughout this month.