Walgreens expands access to MDLIVE virtual health services

Walgreens recently expanded its partnership with MDLIVE  to offer more consumers access to the company's virtual health services through its mobile app.

Originally launched in just two states through the Walgreens mobile app in 2014 and then in three more states this past June, the telehealth services from MDLIVE will now be available in 20 additional states, including Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.

MDLIVE gives users 24/7 access to a nationwide network of board-certified doctors who can treat non-emergency medical conditions by phone or online video. Doctors in the network have an average of 15 years of experience and can treat conditions, such as cold and flu, sinus infections, sore throat and allergies. They can prescribe medication in certain situations and send the prescriptions to the patient's desired pharmacy.

"As we expand virtual care service, we are seeing strong demand based on consumers' appetite for digital convenience and ease-of-access to a quality board-certified physician," MDLIVE CEO Randy Parker said. "We are thrilled to be collaborating with an innovator like Walgreens who understands these fundamental consumer expectations and knows how to execute to meet and exceed them."

Adam Pellegrini, the divisional vice president of digital health for Walgreens, said the drug retailing chain is pleased with the expansion of its digital offerings as consumers now have more choices when it comes to obtaining medical care.