Walmart has opened its largest centralized prescription processing facility to date in Frederick, Maryland.
The 102,000-square-foot site is designed to fulfill up to 100,000 prescriptions a day, supporting more than 700 stores across 16 states and Washington, D.C.
With the launch, Walmart continues to scale its central fill operations to meet growing demand for more pharmacy services, including online shopping with fast delivery of prescriptions, as well as pharmacist-provided clinical services, including immunizations and testing and treatment for strep throat, flu and COVID.
Two more facilities are in development — in Phoenix, Arizona, and Republic, Missouri — and expected to open in 2026.
The Maryland site uses advanced pharmacy automation with dynamic weighting systems, robotic carriers and a conveyance route to streamline every step of prescription fulfillment, from pill counting and labeling to capping and sorting.
It employs pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, as well as patient safety associates combining expert oversight with efficiency.
By shifting fulfillment to centralized facilities, in-store pharmacists gain more time for clinical services. A recent study found that central fill operations can boost pharmacist-patient interactions by 30 percent, allowing pharmacists to work at the top of their license.
“This facility represents the next chapter in how we care for our customers,” said Kevin Host, SVP of pharmacy at Walmart. “With greater efficiency behind the scenes, our pharmacists can spend more time in front of patients – offering expert guidance, building trust and delivering better health outcomes.”
With 4,000 stores located in areas affected by a shortage of medical providers, Walmart pharmacies often are the most accessible healthcare provider in the community. Many clinical services happen during evenings and weekends — 75 percent after 5 p.m. — when other providers may not be available.
That makes Walmart a key resource for everything from flu shots and expanded vaccines to chronic condition care. Central fill serves as an integral unlock for more of these services to happen.
“I see firsthand how important convenience and accessibility are for our patients,” said Ugo Nwachukwu, a Walmart pharmacy manager in Alexandria, Virginia. “Whether someone needs a prescription delivery, help managing a disease state or a walk-in vaccine before a trip, they know they can count on us to be there.”
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