ST. LOUIS and DEERFIELD, Ill. — Express Scripts Holding Co. and Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) are expanding their group purchasing efforts to include the procurement of specialty branded drugs.

Alex Gourlay

The companies said late Tuesday that their work will be supported by ValoremRx Specialty Solutions LLC, which will source specialty pharmaceuticals to simplify the global supply chain and lower costs for patients and clients, including patients using Express Scripts’ specialty pharmacy Accredo and Walgreens’ specialty pharmacy.

Last May, Express Scripts announced the participation of Express Scripts Holding Co. in the Walgreens Boots Alliance Development GmbH (WBAD) global group purchasing organization. The move made Express Scripts’ Innovative Product Alignment subsidiary a member of Bern, Switzerland-based WBAD, which sources and contracts generic drugs.

“As prescription drug needs evolve and specialty medications are prescribed more often, we continue to look for new solutions that will help our patients get the medications they need at an affordable price,” WBA co-chief operating officer Alex Gourlay said in a statement. “Working with Express Scripts, we are partnering to deliver even more value to our patients and clients to improve health outcomes.”

Express Scripts and WBA noted that their enhanced relationship is especially timely, given the savings potential with biosimilars.

“Specialty medications represent the most costly and complex drugs,” Express Scripts president and chief executive officer Tim Wentworth stated. “By expanding our efforts with Walgreens Boots Alliance, we will improve our supply chain and ultimately make the use of these medicines, including biosimilars, more affordable and accessible for our patients and clients.”