BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has opened its largest centralized prescription fulfillment center to date in Frederick, Maryland. The company is significantly scaling its Central Fill pharmacy operations to meet rising consumer demand for faster, more convenient pharmacy services. The 102,000-square-foot facility is designed to fulfill up to 100,000 prescriptions daily, supporting more than 700 Walmart stores across 16 states and Washington, D.C.
The opening marks a significant milestone in Walmart’s strategy to expand its Central Fill network to cover nearly 90% of all Walmart pharmacies by the end of 2026. By centralizing prescription processing, Walmart aims to free up in-store pharmacists to focus on patient care and clinical services such as immunizations and Testing and Treatment for strep throat, flu, and COVID.
“This facility represents the next chapter in how we care for our customers,” said Kevin Host, senior vice president of Pharmacy at Walmart. “With greater efficiency behind the scenes, our pharmacists can spend more time in front of patients — offering expert guidance, building trust and delivering better health outcomes.”
The Frederick site utilizes advanced pharmacy automation systems, including robotic carriers, dynamic weighting systems, and an expansive conveyance network to streamline the entire prescription fulfillment process — from pill counting and labeling to capping and sorting. The facility is staffed by pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and patient safety associates, combining expert oversight with cutting-edge efficiency.
Photos: Walmart.
By handling prescription fulfillment off-site, Walmart says its in-store pharmacists can spend more time providing clinical services and personalized counseling. According to the company, recent studies show that central fill operations can increase pharmacist-patient interactions by up to 30 percent.
The Frederick site has been in development since early 2023 and is the first of several planned expansions. Walmart announced that two additional Central Fill facilities — one in Phoenix, Arizona, and another in Republic, Missouri — are expected to open in 2026.
With the Central Fill model, Walmart aims to simplify the refill process, improve health outcomes, and position its pharmacies as critical access points for healthcare services, particularly in communities where medical providers are in short supply.
“With 4,000 stores located in areas affected by a shortage of medical providers, Walmart pharmacies are often the most accessible healthcare provider in the community,” the company said in its release. “Many clinical services happen during evenings and weekends — 75% after 5 p.m. — when other providers may be unavailable.”
“I see firsthand how important convenience and accessibility are for our patients,” said Ugo Nwachukwu, a Walmart pharmacy manager in Alexandria, Virginia. “Whether someone needs a prescription delivery, help managing a disease state or a walk-in vaccine before a trip, they know they can count on us to be there.”
By strengthening its Central Fill network, Walmart is building the infrastructure to support its long-term retail health ambitions, improving speed, scalability, and access to care across its pharmacy footprint.
