Walgreens is the latest pharmacy chain to offer its customers clinical trial opportunities. The pharmacy titan, the second largest in the U.S. behind CVS, is employing a “flexible clinical trial model” that offers both in-person and virtual trial options.

Walgreens’ new initiative aims to improve trial access for underrepresented racial and ethnic groups by leveraging its pharmacies’ proximity to these populations. The company says more than half of its 9,000 stores are located in socially vulnerable areas.

For recruitment, Walgreens intends to wield its pharmacy and patient-authorized clinical data to match underrepresented populations to trials and develop an extensive registry of trial participants. The company will also offer real-world evidence to support drug development strategies, trial designs, trial execution and diversity efforts.

Walgreens’ most prominent rival, CVS Health, launched its trial services program in May 2021.