Cardinal Health zeroes in on opioid abuse
Building on its efforts to fight the opioid abuse epidemic, Cardinal Health Inc. has launched an initiative targeting one of the nation’s hardest-hit areas.
CDR
Gretchen Carlson tabbed as NACDS Foundation Dinner speaker
News anchor and best-selling author Gretchen Carlson will speak at this month’s NACDS Foundation Dinner in New York City.
Walmart sees online sales boost in 3Q
Walmart reported better-than-expected comparable store sales gains in the third quarter. Walmart’s third quarter also include a strong performance by its online business, with net e-commerce sales increasing 50% in the quarter.
Diplomat Pharmacy buys LDI for $595 million
Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. plans to acquire St. Louis-based pharmacy benefit manager LDI Integrated Pharmacy Services for in a $595 million cash and stock deal. The move marks the second PBM acquisition this month by Diplomat, the nation’s largest independent specialty pharmacy. On Nov.
New high blood pressure standards impact Rx
For prescribers and pharmacists, the reduced levels for defining a person as having high blood pressure bring new guidelines for hypertension medication.
PQA appoints new board members
The Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) has named new members to its board of directors and approved its 2018 executive committee. Mary Ann Kliethermes, vice chair of ambulatory care and professor at the Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy, will serve as PQA’s chairman for 2018.
Higi backs redefined levels for high blood pressure
Health screening kiosk maker higi SH LLC welcomed reduced standards for high blood pressure (BP) released this week by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
Cardinal Health sells China pharma business for $1.2 billion
Cardinal Health Inc. plans to sell its Cardinal Health China business to Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd. for $1.2 billion.
Advantage Solutions to acquire Daymon Worldwide
Sales and marketing firm Advantage Solutions is buying retail and brand marketing specialist Daymon Worldwide. Financial terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed. Under the agreement, Daymon will continue to operate as a separate legal entity at its Stamford, Conn., headquarters.
Sales edge in up 3Q at Shoppers Drug Mart
Led by the pharmacy, Shoppers Drug Mart saw sales climb as parent Loblaw Cos. reported financial results for the 2017 third quarter. Loblaw said Wednesday that for the 16 weeks ended Oct. 7, Shoppers Drug Mart totaled revenue of $3.751 billion (Canadian), up 3.8% from $3.613 billion a year earlier.
Upsher-Smith parent sells stake in U.S. generics unit
Upsher-Smith Laboratories LLC said its Japan-based parent, Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., has agreed to sell a 20% stake in its Sawai America Inc. subsidiary to Sumitomo Corp. of Americas (SCOA). Under the deal, SCOA — part of global conglomerate Sumitomo Corp.
Rite Aid names new western division senior VP
Rob Mullins has been promoted to senior vice president of store operations of the western division, succeeding Bill Romine, who is retiring.
Crossmark Canada makes leadership appointments
Crossmark Canada has promoted Kim Thompson to senior vice president of client and business development and hired Steve Noble as director for Marketing Werks.
Lovell Drugs enlists Maricann to supply medicinal cannabis
Ontario pharmacy chain Lovell Drugs has signed a letter of intent with Maricann Group Inc. to be its exclusive supplier of medicinal cannabis.
Hy-Vee acquires pair of telepharmacies in Iowa
Hy-Vee Inc. has acquired two telepharmacy locations in Iowa and rebannered them as Hy-Vee Pharmacy. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The food and drug retailer said Tuesday that the telepharmacies, formerly operated by TelePharm LLC, now part of Cardinal Health Inc.
Pfizer appoints Albert Bourla to new COO post
In a fine-tuning of its executive leadership, Pfizer Inc. has named Albert Bourla as chief operating officer, a newly created position. Pfizer said Bourla, 56, currently group president of the Pfizer Innovative Health business unit, is slated to start in the COO role on Jan. 1.