Hy-Vee acquires Nebraska specialty pharmacy

Hy-Vee Inc. will acquire an Omaha-based specialty pharmacy.

The grocery chain, based in West Des Moines, and Amber Pharmacy have been partners since 2010. Hy-Vee, in a statement released Monday, said  the acquisition will allow the company to expand its current specialty pharmacy business to offer more options and better access.

Amber Pharmacy will maintain its existing name and operations, including headquarters in Omaha and locations in Chicago, Dallas and Philadelphia. The specialty pharmacy company will operate independently and will continue retain all employees.

The purchase price was not disclosed, but the acquisition was approved by the boards of both companies and pending regulatory approval should close within the next 30 days.

Specialty pharmacies help patients manage complex, chronic conditions by assigning a health care team – an enrollment specialist, pharmacist, patient care coordinator and billing coordinator – to develop a plan for the patient's clinical care, insurance and financial administrative assistance. This approach allows customers to obtain all their medications and services from one source.

Specialty pharmacy is the fastest growing segment in the pharmacy industry, according to Hy-Vee's statement. In 1990 there were 10 specialty drugs on the market, a number that grew to more than 300 by 2012.