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    Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (WBA)

    Q1 2024 Earnings Summary

    Reported on Jan 10, 2025 (Before Market Open)
    Pre-Earnings Price$25.57Last close (Jan 3, 2024)
    Post-Earnings Price$24.19Open (Jan 4, 2024)
    Price Change
    $-1.38(-5.40%)

    What went well

    • WBA's investment in VillageMD is progressing well, with VillageMD realigning costs and focusing on growth and profitability, indicating a strong strategic investment for WBA.
    • WBA is strengthening its core community-based retail pharmacy model, investing in technology and services to expand in-store offerings and enhance patient engagement, positioning the company for sustained growth.
    • WBA plans to expand through strategic partnerships with care providers, like VillageMD and others, to grow access to care in different geographies, enhancing growth prospects.

    What went wrong

    • Walgreens anticipates slower prescription market growth, expecting overall market growth to slow down roughly 50 basis points versus previous estimates.
    • Ongoing reimbursement pressure in the pharmacy sector is squeezing margins, with Walgreens acknowledging there's "very little left" to absorb further cuts, indicating potential challenges to profitability.
    • Walgreens is closing approximately 200 stores this year to optimize their footprint, reflecting challenges in their core retail business and potential declines in store performance.

    Q&A Summary

    1. Reimbursement Model and Margins
      Q: Can Walgreens drive new reimbursement models and sustainable margins?
      A: Walgreens believes it can play a significant role in shifting the reimbursement model by partnering with PBMs and health plans, focusing on value beyond unit cost ( ). The sustainable margin per drug will largely depend on the services provided to patients, and Walgreens is confident in building value through its pharmacy services ( ).

    2. Strategic Focus and Core Business
      Q: What is considered core to Walgreens' business and strategic focus?
      A: The core business centers around the community-based retail stores, which are not on the table for change ( ). Walgreens plans to optimize its footprint by closing about 200 stores this year ( ). Key focus includes expanding pharmacy services, leveraging assets like CareCentrix and Shields, and investing in a health services strategy rather than acquiring more primary care assets ( ).

    3. Specialty Pharmacy Opportunities
      Q: What opportunities exist for Walgreens in specialty pharmacy?
      A: Walgreens sees significant potential in specialty pharmacy by leveraging its assets and partnerships like Shields ( ). They are building capabilities in gene and cell therapy and have secured wins with large Blue Cross Blue Shield plans ( ). Shields is a key enabler in their specialty strategy, working with health systems to manage patients and build networks ( ).

    4. Investment in Care Delivery Partnerships
      Q: Will Walgreens expand access to care through partnerships like Pearl?
      A: Yes, Walgreens intends to pursue more partnerships to expand access to care ( ). They view investments like VillageMD as platforms to build and test services, and aim to be a preferred partner in various geographies ( ).

    5. Reimbursement Pressure and Floor on Unit Costs
      Q: Has reimbursement pressure reached a floor, and can Walgreens drive fair reimbursement?
      A: While there is very little left to cut in unit costs, Walgreens doesn't claim a floor has been reached ( ). They believe that transitioning to a value-based model will help both PBMs and retailers, and they aim to help PBMs win by being a great payor partner ( ).

    6. Timeline for Implementing New Reimbursement Models
      Q: How long will it take to implement new reimbursement models?
      A: Material changes could occur within a year or two, with quicker uptake possible for mid-year small group sales ( ). Employers' demand for transparent benefits is driving this change, and Walgreens aims to be paid fairly for the services they provide ( ).

    7. Pharmacy Market Growth Expectations
      Q: Why are pharmacy market growth expectations lower now?
      A: The overall prescription market growth is expected to slow by about 50 basis points compared to previous estimates ( ). This is driven by a weaker respiratory season and the continued impact of Medicaid redetermination ( ).

    8. Owning a PBM vs. Partnering
      Q: Should Walgreens own a PBM to benefit its business?
      A: Walgreens does not see owning a PBM as the best path ( ). They prefer to remain independent and work across the ecosystem, leveraging the value that large PBMs bring through scale ( ).

    9. Lilly Direct Program Impact
      Q: How will Lilly's new Lilly Direct program impact Walgreens?
      A: Walgreens is open to participating and can work within various reimbursement models ( ). They support programs that increase transparency and lower drug costs for consumers, aiming to collaborate with partners like Lilly ( ).

    10. Pay-for-Performance Contracts
      Q: What's the focus and opportunity in pay-for-performance contracts?
      A: Most pay-for-performance contracts are currently in Medicare Part D, with expansion into Medicaid and potentially commercial space ( ). Walgreens' ability to deliver on these contracts enhances credibility and opens up further opportunities ( ).

    11. Market Share Opportunities in Cost-Plus Model
      Q: Can Walgreens gain market share with the cost-plus model?
      A: Walgreens aims to differentiate by leveraging its trusted brand and other assets to gain share ( ). They can compete on unit price but seek to stand out through services and patient engagement, helping them to gain market share ( ).

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