New York, United States | August 18, 2025 – Walgreens Boots Alliance has taken a major step in revolutionizing pharmacy services by expanding its micro-fulfillment network. The company recently opened a new facility in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. This marks the 12th micro-fulfillment center (MFC) in its growing network. The addition highlights Walgreens’ ongoing commitment to enhancing pharmacy efficiency and improving patient care through automation.
The Brooklyn Park facility streamlines prescription fulfillment using cutting-edge robotic technology. By automating routine tasks such as prescription filling and packaging, the center allows pharmacists to focus more on direct patient services. These services include medication counseling and administering immunizations. Consequently, Walgreens optimizes workflows and improves patient experience by enabling pharmacists to provide more personalized care.
Serving nearly 200 Walgreens stores across the Midwest, including 145 stores in Minnesota alone, the Brooklyn Park center expects to process about 13 million prescriptions annually. This scale supports Walgreens’ broader strategy to meet the growing demand for accessible, high-quality healthcare services. Additionally, integrating this facility into the network ensures quicker and more reliable prescription delivery for customers in the region.
Since implementing its micro-fulfillment strategy, Walgreens has achieved impressive operational gains. The company reports a 24% year-over-year increase in prescription volume shipped through its micro-fulfillment centers. Approximately 16 million prescriptions are filled each month across all facilities. These centers now handle roughly 40% of total prescription volume at Walgreens stores. This shift improves both accuracy and speed, contributing to better healthcare outcomes for patients.
In addition to operational benefits, Walgreens’ micro-fulfillment centers promote environmental sustainability. In fiscal year 2024, the company recycled over 3.7 million pounds of cardboard, plastic, and toner cartridges across its MFCs. This commitment to sustainable practices aligns with Walgreens’ broader corporate responsibility goals. It demonstrates how innovative technology can coexist with environmentally conscious business operations.
After a brief pause to refine and optimize the micro-fulfillment model, Walgreens is now accelerating the rollout of new centers. CEO Tim Wentworth announced plans to expand the network further within the next year. This signals strong confidence in the MFC strategy. These efforts aim to enhance service efficiency and provide a higher standard of care to more communities.
The Brooklyn Park micro-fulfillment center exemplifies Walgreens’ strategic investment in technology and innovation to address evolving healthcare needs. By leveraging automation in prescription fulfillment, Walgreens modernizes the pharmacy experience. At the same time, it maintains its commitment to patient-centered care. As a result, the company positions itself as a trusted healthcare provider equipped to face challenges in a fast-paced digital healthcare environment.
As the healthcare landscape changes, Walgreens’ micro-fulfillment centers offer a forward-thinking solution that balances technology with personal service. Expanding this network drives operational excellence. It also ensures patients receive timely, accurate, and convenient access to their medications. By integrating these advanced facilities into pharmacy operations, Walgreens reinforces its mission to help people live healthier lives.
“Our pharmacists working in locations supported by our micro-fulfillment sites spend less time filling prescriptions and more time on patient care,” explains Kayla Heffington, vice president, pharmacy operating model, Walgreens. “They provide medication adherence support and administer vaccines, all of which help strengthen community health and improve the overall patient experience.”
In summary, Walgreens’ expansion of its micro-fulfillment network with the Brooklyn Park facility demonstrates a clear vision for the future of pharmacy services. It highlights the company’s proactive efforts to harness technology to improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and sustainability. As Walgreens continues to scale its micro-fulfillment centers, the company is well-positioned to lead the pharmacy sector into a new era defined by innovation, convenience, and patient-centered care.
