Drugstore chain Walgreens launched a new text message (SMS) powered prescription alerts service for its customers. Prescription Text Alerts notify customers when their prescriptions are ready. In other mobile-related news, Walgreens also re-launched its iPhone app as well as its mobile site, m.walgreens.com.

"We strive to lead the market in bringing new and innovative technology to our pharmacies and pharmacy patients," said Mark Wagner, Walgreens executive vice president of operations and community management. "Text alerts are a valuable time-saving tool, and the latest example of how our mobile applications are further connecting the Web to Walgreens stores and pharmacies, giving customers on-the-go convenience wherever they are."

The launch of Walgreen's Prescription Text Alerts is an important event for mobile health -- with more than 7,500 retail locations across all 50 states in the US, the opportunity for people to receive text alerts about prescription statuses is now nationwide.  

Walgreens' Prescription Text Alerts let customers know when medications are ready for pickup or if there are any status changes to the prescription. Customers can sign up for them at the pharmacy or online. The texts can also be sent in Spanish.

Walgreens is also launching Special Offer Texts to sent customers coupons and deals via text messages. Customers can sign up at the store of by texting "Walgreens" to shortcode 21525.

Walgreens newly relaunched iPhone app allows users to view prescription history, check for in-store availability of products, find the nearest Walgreens store and upload photos and order prints directly from the Walgreens mobile site.

Walgreens' drugstore chain clocked in $63 billion in fiscal 2009 sales and it operates 7,522 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

For more, check out the Walgreens Go Mobile site