Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NasdaqGS:WBA) is weighing a sale of its pharmacy automation business, which could fetch up to $2 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. The company, which is working with an advisers, is preparing to start a sales process in the next month or so for iA, said the people, who asked to not be identified because the matter is private. The unit is expected to draw interest from rival health-care companies and private equity firms, the people said.

No final decision has been made and Walgreens could opt to keep the business, they added. A representative for Walgreens declined to comment. The potential sale comes as Walgreens considers shedding non-core businesses to raise cash for efforts including affiliate VillageMD's $9.8 billion takeover of rival primary care provider Summit Health-CityMD, the people said.

That deal was announced in November.