Walgreens doubles down on prescription-filling robots to cut costs, free up pharmacists amid turnaround

Walgreens is enhancing its automation efforts by expanding the use of its micro-fulfillment centers, where robots assist in filling prescriptions for patients managing diabetes, high blood pressure, and other conditions. The aim is to free up time for pharmacy staff, enabling them to focus on patient care and clinical services like vaccinations and testing. After pausing expansion to gather feedback and make improvements, Walgreens plans to increase the number of stores served by these centers to over 5,000 by the end of the year. The company has seen significant cost savings and efficiency improvements through these automated facilities. Other retail giants like Walmart, Albertsons, and Kroger are also exploring similar automated solutions to enhance their services and streamline operations.