CVS ups the ante in connected health
CVS Health is partnering with startup accelerator MassChallenge and digital health venture fund Rock Health to drive innovation in connected health solutions and and expand areas of focus.
CDR
NACDS hails CMS effort to drive MTM
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is applauding a move by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to boost Medicare Part D patients’ participation in medication therapy management (MTM) programs.
Meijer president Symancyk joins sports/outdoors chain
Meijer Inc. president J.K. Symancyk is leaving the company to join Academy Sports + Outdoors, a sports, outdoor and lifestyle retailer, as president and chief executive officer. Academy Ltd. said Symancyk is slated to join the company on Nov. 2.
Role of Rx in Canada’s health care system
Every year, Canadians, who have access to one of the most advanced health care systems in the world, spend more than $200 billion on health care, $34 billion of which is on pharmaceuticals.
Kimberly-Clark rolls out Poise Impressa Bladder Supports
This month, Kimberly-Clark Corp. has begun making its new Poise Impressa Bladder Supports widely available in retail stores. The new product, available online since February, is designed to help women with stress urinary incontinence stop leaks before they occur.
Benzer Pharmacy steadily grows base of stores
Pushing ahead with its expansion, Benzer Pharmacy has opened a pair of new locations and earned recognition in its home state for rapid growth. The Tampa-based retail pharmacy chain last week opened stores in Brandon and Jacksonville, Fla.
Scherr, Giacomin to lead HDMA board
Ted Scherr, president and chief executive officer of Dakota Drug Inc., has been re-elected as chairman of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA). HDMA said Tuesday that Jon Giacomin, CEO of the pharmaceutical segment at Cardinal Health Inc.
Spectrum Brands CEO named to board
Andreas Rouvé, president and chief executive officer of Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc., has been elected to the company’s board of directors. Spectrum Brands said Monday that Rouvé is slated to join the board on Oct. 1. He became president and CEO on April 1.
FDA gives OK to new Aurobindo generics
Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for gemfibrozil tablets, omeprazole delayed-release capsules and telmisartan tablets. The company said Monday that its gemfibrozil tablets (600 mg) are a generic version of Lopid tablets from Pfizer Inc.
Walgreens, HHS partner in flu shot voucher program
To help improve immunization rates among uninsured and underinsured Americans, Walgreens is providing up to $15 million of free flu shot vouchers through its collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Endo wraps up Par Pharma acquisition
Endo International plc has completed its $8.05 billion acquisition of Par Pharmaceutical Holdings Inc. from leading global private investment firm TPG. Endo said Monday that with the closing of the deal, announced in May, its U.S.
New structure reflects transformation of Rite Aid
A new chapter opened for Rite Aid Corp. in its fiscal 2016 second quarter, as the company began reporting financial results under a new structure that incorporates recently acquired pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) EnvisionRx.
Rite Aid fine-tunes outlook for current fiscal year
Rite Aid Corp. trimmed its full-year earnings guidance to reflect pharmacy margin pressure and lower expectations for same-store sales. The company also pruned its revenue forecast.
Clout of Barra, Foulkes recognized
Chain drug executives Helena Foulkes and Ornella Barra are among the “Most Powerful Women” in business listed by Fortune magazine. Foulkes, president of CVS/pharmacy, was ranked 14th on the list of 51 women in the U.S.
Uninsured rate continues to fall
Supporters of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) hailed a recent Census Bureau report that the percentage of people without health insurance coverage declined by 2.9 percentage points last year, from 13.3% to 10.4%. That’s a reduction of 8.
Obama makes choice for FDA chief
The Food and Drug Administration’s current deputy commissioner for medical products and tobacco is likely to become the organization’s next commissioner. Dr.