Nov. 2, 2009 (Business Wire) -- Walgreens (NYSE:WAG)(NASDAQ:WAG), the nation’s largest drugstore chain with more than 70,000 health service providers, will host its first-ever Diabetes Wellness Events at more than 1,500 stores nationwide in November. The events, held in recognition of American Diabetes Month®, will take place between Nov. 9-13 and Nov. 16-20 at most 24-hour Walgreens stores.

Each of these locations will host a six-hour walk-in clinic offering free blood glucose testing, or, for individuals diagnosed with diabetes, free A1C testing. Free pharmacist consultations are also available. Each store’s clinic will be held on one day during either the Nov. 9-13 or Nov. 16-20 timeframe.

For more information on the Walgreens Diabetes Wellness Events and to find the nearest event, consumers can visit www.walgreens.com/diabeteswellness or call 1-877-W-and-You (1-877-926-3968).

“We’re proud to offer diabetes testing and information at no cost through these events, furthering Walgreens commitment to providing quality, accessible health care to thousands of communities nationwide,” said Kermit Crawford, Walgreens senior vice president of pharmacy. “Our clinics will build on the greater awareness around diabetes this month, and we’ll continue to work year-round to give people the tools and information to fight this serious disease.”

Walgreens also announced it will donate $1 to the American Diabetes Association for every test performed at its Diabetes Wellness Events, up to $100,000.

The Walgreens Diabetes Wellness Events are being sponsored in part by Novo Nordisk and Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care. Novo Nordisk is the maker of the FlexPen pre-filled insulin pen and a world leader in diabetes care serving 179 countries worldwide. Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care is a leader in diabetes monitoring systems and other products and services that simplify life for people with diabetes and health care professionals.

Additionally, U.S. Wellness, Inc., a provider of health education and screening services, is supporting Walgreens staffing of testing operations at the clinics nationwide.

Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes, and an additional 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Visit Walgreens.com/diabetes for the latest news and information on diabetes prevention and management plus tips, recipes and more to help people living with diabetes lead healthier, fuller lives.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2009 sales of $63 billion. The company operates 7,045 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and services and cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness Division includes Take Care Health Systems, the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.