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Inside This Issue - News
Opportunities for pronounced gains in market share by the top chain drug retailers are few, but several catalysts stand to propel pharmacy business, according to industry observers. Walgreen Co. president and chief executive officer Greg Wasson becomes chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores at a pivotal time for the industry. Chain drug stores have responded well to the changing marketplace over the past year and bolstered their prospects for growth in 2012, industry analysts say. CVS/pharmacy is focused on growing its front-end business as it builds on the strong foundation established in recent years. A federal judge heard arguments this month in the lawsuit seeking to stop the merger of Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc. With the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expected to issue a final rule on Medicaid pharmacy reimbursements next year, community pharmacy advocates earlier this month weighed in on the proposal. Continuing its financial recovery, Rite Aid Corp. turned in improved results for its fiscal 2012 fourth quarter and full year. The fate of the Obama administration’s health care reform law appears uncertain after the Supreme Court conducted three days of hearings in late March. Walgreen Co. is seeking to attract new pharmacy customers by offering a $25 gift card with every transferred prescription. CVS/pharmacy has kicked off a program of free health screenings that will run through the end of the year in multicultural communities nationwide. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has high hopes for next year’s debut of the Total Store Expo, according to president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson. Rite Aid Corp. pharmacists are now offering personalized Rite Care Prescription Advisor reports to show patients how well they are doing taking regularly prescribed medications. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores board of directors was expected to approve a slate of new officers for the 2012/13 year at a session held here on April 21, the first day of the NACDS Annual Meeting. Walmart is teaming up with Humana Pharmacy Solutions Inc. to offer employers a pharmacy benefits plan guaranteeing up to 20% off prescription costs. State health policy professional Leigh Knotts has been named a director of state government affairs at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
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