Walgreens.com today started offering automated prescription refills. “Some patients might forget to order their refill before they run out of medication. As a result, they might miss taking their medicine for a few days,” said Walgreens e-commerce director Ron Weinert. “This feature allows patients to set their maintenance prescriptions to refill automatically on a date they choose, based on their prescribed dosage regimen.”

Patients can choose to have their prescriptions filled for pickup at the store or for home delivery by mail. An e-mail notifies patients when a prescription is filled and ready for pickup or is on its way by mail.

Walgreens patients who are not already registered for walgreens.com online pharmacy may register by providing an e-mail address to the pharmacy staff at their local Walgreens store or by following online instructions at walgreens.com.

Walgreens is the nation`s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2000 sales of $21.2 billion. The company operates 3,475 stores in 43 states and Puerto Rico and plans to have 6,000 stores by 2010.