Drugstore chain Walgreens Boots Alliance and insurer Humana Inc. are in early talks about taking equity stakes in each other, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The companies have held discussions about a variety of joint ventures, the Journal reported, including expanding their partnership serving older people. The paper cited people familiar with the matter without identifying them.
Walgreens declined to comment. A representative for Humana didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Walgreens Chief Executive Officer Stefano Pessina has had a longstanding interest in expanding Walgreens’ business. In recent months the company has announced several partnerships including with grocer Kroger and the medical-testing company Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings. Its rival CVS Health is merging with insurer Aetna in a tie-up meant to provide vertically integrated health-care services.
