Shields Health Solutions (Shields), a leading specialty pharmacy accelerator and a Walgreens-owned company, has expanded its partnership with Sutter Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S., to increase patient access to specialty medications for chronic, rare, and complex health conditions. This collaboration is set to improve care and enhance health outcomes for patients receiving specialized treatments, including those for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and other complex conditions, while supporting nearly 3,000 providers in Sutter’s network.
The expanded partnership will boost Sutter’s dual-accredited specialty pharmacies—Sutter Health Specialty Pharmacy in Berkeley and East Bay Advanced Care Pharmacy in Oakland—by leveraging Shields’ integrated infrastructure, technology, and industry expertise. Shields will assist in streamlining the dispensing process, from insurance navigation to financial support, and help patients gain access to specialty drugs, offering both cost-effective and comprehensive treatment options. Through Shields’ extensive reach across payer networks and access to over 90% of limited distribution drugs (LDDs), Sutter Health’s patients can obtain a greater selection of medications and enjoy a more coordinated approach to care.
Shields and Sutter Health’s initial focus areas are cancer, rheumatology, and dermatology, with plans to expand to other specialties. Shields’ collaboration with over 80 health systems across the country has demonstrated success in lowering co-pays, ensuring timely medication delivery, and enhancing medication adherence. For Sutter Health, these capabilities mean a more cohesive patient experience, where care is cost-efficient, streamlined, and personalized.
Shields Executive Vice President Heidi Motz highlighted the mutual benefits of the collaboration, stating, “Sutter’s clinical teams are renowned for delivering safe, high-quality care to patients with complex needs. We enhance their efforts by securing access to 90% of limited distribution drugs and opening the door to restricted payer networks, which improves therapy management, care affordability, and coordination.”
Ryan Stice, PharmD, BCPS, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Sutter Health, shared the value of this expanded access: “Sutter is committed to removing barriers to care, and by improving access to specialty medications, we’re furthering that mission. We appreciate working alongside organizations like Shields that prioritize patient-centered results.”
As the premier specialty pharmacy accelerator in the U.S., Shields Health Solutions partners with health systems nationwide, delivering measurable clinical and financial results through its Shields Performance Platform. This integrated set of solutions and services elevates payer and drug access, drives clinical improvements, and fosters growth across the health system. Shields has a strong track record, with access to 90% of LDDs and most health insurance payers, and a clinical model proven to reduce total care costs by 13%. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance, with more than 2,000 employees across the U.S.
