DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and evaluate a model of HIV patient-centered care through a national project aimed at advancing clinical integration and medication therapy ­management.

The company is leveraging the expertise of its more than 700 HIV-specialized pharmacies and specially trained pharmacists to lead medication care plans and provide data evaluation and outcomes reporting for 1,000 HIV positive project participants.

Walgreens pharmacists will meet one-on-one with project participants to create care plans that focus on medication adherence and address other needs including health education for added chronic conditions.

“Our pharmacists are trained to provide testing and confidential wellness consultations, coordinate care and benefits with physicians and insurance providers, and help patients access financial support programs to reduce medication costs,” Walgreens senior manager of virology Glen Pietrandoni said. “However, medication adherence remains our primary objective, because we know that taking the right medication at the right time is key to improving health outcomes.”

A Walgreens study of more than 15,000 HIV patients showed that those who received care through one of its HIV-specialized pharmacies were significantly more adherent to their medication (74%) than those receiving care through a traditional, non-specialized Walgreens pharmacy (69%).

Adherent HIV patients are more likely to improve their health outcomes and have suppressed viral loads, making the disease less transmittable. However, the CDC estimates only 25% of Americans with HIV have the virus under control.

Walgreens’ HIV-specialized pharmacies cooperate with local health departments and AIDS service organizations to support HIV testing and community events and work with local health care providers, government leaders and religious organizations to continually assess and meet the needs of individuals in selected communities.