HORSHAM, Pa. — Nutrisystem Inc. has entered a new distribution alliance with Walgreen Co. to offer its weight-loss program cards in the drug chain’s stores nationwide.

The weight management product and service provider said the cards will roll out in the diet section of Walgreens stores on December 25.

Plans call for Walgreens to be the exclusive retailer selling the 28-day Nutrisystem D weight-loss program for people with type 2 diabetes. In addition, the drug stores will offer Nutrisystem’s 14-day Silver Starter Program for mature dieters and the 14-day Ready-To-Go Starter Program.

The weight-loss cards for all of these programs will be sold at Walgreens’ nearly 7,000 stores and on walgreens.com.

Also, consumers will be able to buy weight-loss programs through an innovative card system at Walgreens stores, according to Nutrisystem. The card are purchased in the store and then activated it online at nutrisystem.com/startnow or by calling 1-800-891-3605. Once the card is activated and the order is placed, customers will receive their Nutrisystem program through the company’s home delivery system so they can start losing weight.

The Nutrisystem D program consists of 28 days of Nutrisystem foods, and the Silver and Ready-To-Go Starter Programs consist of 14 days of the Nutrisystem foods. All programs purchased at Walgreens include a free starter kit, Nutrisystem said. The program purchase price also includes shipping, free access to 24×7 weight-loss counseling and free membership to Nutrisystem’s online community.

"We are thrilled to add the nation’s largest drug store chain to our roster of premier retail partners," Will Auchincloss, senior vice president of business development and international at Nutrisystem, said in a statement. "Walgreens customers now have access to a broad array of Nutrisystem weight-loss programs."

Nutrisystem said the alliance with Walgreens adds to its existing retail distribution at Costco, Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart stores, covering approximately 10,000 retail locations