DEERFIELD, Ill.– Walgreens has expanded its network of high-tech micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) with the opening of a new facility in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, designed to streamline prescription processing and give pharmacists more time to focus on direct patient care.
The new center will serve nearly 200 Walgreens locations across the Midwest, including 145 stores in Minnesota, and is expected to process approximately 13 million prescriptions annually. The facility will also bring more than 175 jobs to the region and contribute significantly to local and state tax revenues.
“Walgreens’ investment in micro-fulfillment centers is another strategic step toward a brighter future for community pharmacy,” said Rick Gates, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Walgreens. “Research shows that Americans want more health services at their local pharmacy, and micro-fulfillment centers help us meet those needs by allowing our pharmacists to do what they do best: spend more time with patients.”
The Brooklyn Park facility is part of Walgreens’ national network of 12 micro-fulfillment centers that now support more than 5,000 stores and fill over 3.5 million prescriptions each week. These centralized centers use robotic technology to dispense and ship prescriptions, reducing the workload at individual retail locations and enhancing in-store experiences for both customers and pharmacy teams.
According to Walgreens, the adoption of micro-fulfillment has led to a 24% year-over-year increase in shipped volumes, with approximately 16 million prescriptions filled monthly across its MFC network. At stores served by these centers, about 40% of prescription volume is now handled off-site, giving pharmacists more capacity to provide clinical services such as immunizations, wellness consultations, and medication adherence support.
“Our pharmacists working in locations supported by micro-fulfillment sites are spending less time filling prescriptions and more time on patient care,” said Kayla Heffington, Vice President of Pharmacy Operating Model at Walgreens. “This shift strengthens community health and improves the overall patient experience.”
The company has also prioritized sustainability at its fulfillment centers. In fiscal year 2024, Walgreens’ MFCs recycled 3.7 million pounds of cardboard, plastic, and toner cartridges through a company-wide recycling initiative.
The opening of the Brooklyn Park center marks another step in Walgreens’ broader effort to modernize pharmacy operations and align with the growing demand for expanded healthcare services at local pharmacies.
