Walgreen says it will buy 3 El Amal drugstores and gain prescription files for 11 others

Walgreen will buy 3 El Amal stores in Puerto Rico

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Drugstore operator Walgreen Co. said Friday it is buying three pharmacies in Puerto Rico from the El Amal chain, and will buy the prescription files of 11 other stores.

Walgreen did not disclose terms of the deal, which needs approval from bankruptcy court. It said the stores selling their prescription files will close by the end of January, and the acquisition of the three stores will by complete by the end of February.

The prescription file sale will allow customers of the El Amal stores to fill their prescriptions at Walgreen stores. Walgreen bought 20 other El Amal locations in early 2008.

In morning trading, Walgreen shares rose 23 cents to $36.68.