DEERFIELD, Ill. — As it continues to redefine the role of the American drug store, Walgreen Co. has been busy in recent weeks, expanding the scope of the health services it provides and adding to its roster of flagship stores.

As it continues to redefine the role of the American drug store, Walgreen Co. has been busy in recent weeks, expanding the scope of the health services it provides and adding to its roster of flagship stores.

With access to health care services expected to become a greater challenge as more people get insurance when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act kicks in next year, Walgreens said earlier this month that its Take Care Clinics would begin assessing the treating and managing of such chronic conditions as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and asthma, and offer a wider range of preventive health services.

"With this service expansion, Take Care Clinics now provides the most comprehensive service offering within the retail clinic industry, and can play an even more valuable role in helping patients get, stay and live well," senior vice president of health and wellness services and solutions Dr. Jeffrey Kang said about the new services that will be offered at 330 Take Care Clinics across the country.

"Through greater access to services and a broader focus on disease prevention and chronic condition management, our clinics can connect and work with physicians and other providers to better help support the increasing demands on our health care system today," he said.

Meanwhile, the 8,000-plus-store drug chain continues to roll out flagship stores across the country. The two most recent of these multilevel, upscale units opened last month in Washington, D.C., and New York City.

"We are pleased to provide another revolutionary store that demonstrates how Walgreens is transforming daily living, pharmacy and health care experiences nationwide," president of operations and community management Mark Wagner said about the opening of the New York store in the Empire State Building.

"Walgreens’ innovative products and services support our commitment to help our customers get, stay and live well," he said.

With the flagship stores offering customers a comprehensive array of convenience items, personal care products and a new way of dealing with pharmacists, Walgreens recently expanded its Balance Rewards loyalty program to give shoppers the chance to earn more reward points for their healthy lifestyles.

Previously, Balance Rewards members earned points for physical activity through participation in the Walk with Walgreens program, obtaining 10 points for every mile walked.

Under the newly implemented Steps with Balance Rewards program, cardholders can earn points for walking, running and weight management goals that are logged and tracked.