Grocery retailer operator The Kroger Company plans to promote its specialty pharmacy enterprise to CarelonRx, a subsidiary of Elevance Health.

Kroger has entered right into a definitive settlement for the sale, the corporate mentioned in a Monday (March 18) press release. Subject to customary closing situations and regulatory approvals, the sale is anticipated to shut within the second half.

“As part of our regular review of assets, it became clear that our strong specialty pharmacy business unit will better meet its full potential outside of our business,” Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health, mentioned within the launch.

Kroger Specialty Pharmacy, which has been a part of the corporate since 2012, serves sufferers with power sicknesses who require particular care, in keeping with the discharge. These illnesses embrace rheumatoid arthritis, development hormone deficiencies, a number of sclerosis and bleeding issues.

The specialty pharmacy is separate from the grocery store’s in-store retail pharmacies, The Little Clinics and different Kroger Family of Pharmacies — none of that are included on this transaction, the discharge mentioned.

In the specialty pharmacy, clinicians and remedy applications present sufferers and prescribers with training, assets, counseling, facet impact administration, monetary help, personalised care and administrative experience, per the discharge.

“One of the most important considerations was continued operations to ensure minimal disruption to our associates and patients,” Lindholz mentioned within the launch, talking of the deliberate transaction. “We are confident this transaction will help the business to grow and deliver better results for patients. We look forward to working toward a smooth transition for associates and patients.”

Elevance Health modified its identify from Anthem in March 2022 in a bid to recast itself as an organization with a broader focus than conventional health insurance.

The identify change got here because the agency’s household of firms developed to supply services and products past routine medical health insurance, together with digital capabilities, medical, behavioral, pharmacy and complicated care belongings.

Today, its firms embrace Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield well being plans, Wellpoint affiliated well being plans and specialty firms, and Carelon well being providers, in keeping with the Elevance Health website.

During Kroger’s March 7 earnings name, CEO Rodney McMullen mentioned the grocery giant is setting its sights on omnichannel buyers to spice up spending.