Appel joins SymphonyIRI as CEO
SymphonyIRI Group Inc. has named Andrew Appel as president and chief executive officer.
CDR
Coinstar, Starbucks target retail chains for coffee kiosk
Coinstar Inc. and Starbucks Corp. unit Seattle’s Best Coffee have partnered to roll out fresh-ground and brewed coffee kiosks in drug stores, supermarkets and mass merchant retail outlets. Drug stores are one of the planned retail locations for Coinstar’s Rubi coffee kiosk.
Chief medical officer named for Take Care Clinics
Walgreen Co. has appointed Alan London, M.D., as chief medical officer of Take Care Health Systems Consumer Solutions Group. Walgreens said Wednesday that London will lead Take Care Health’s efforts to build and maintain external doctor and health system relationships for Take Care Clinics.
PTCB reorganizes pharmacy tech certification exam
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) has updated the blueprint for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), reorganizing the test’s content into nine knowledge areas. PTCB said Wednesday that changes to the exam stemmed from a job analysis completed in February.
SoloHealth kiosk gets FDA’s OK
SoloHealth has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its SoloHealth Station, an interactive, health and wellness screening kiosk for consumers. Thousands of SoloHealth Stations are expected to be in retail pharmacies by the end of the year.
Navarro launches liquor outlet, Spanish-language website
Navarro Discount Pharmacy has opened a liquor store operation adjacent to one of its drug stores in the Miami Beach area. The new liquor outlet is situated near a Navarro drug store in Sunny Isles, Fla.
Nipro names chief financial officer
Dean Sorrentino has joined diabetes management product maker Nipro Diagnostics Inc. as chief financial officer.
With acquisition, Carex sets foot in Canada
Carex Health Brands has acquired Uplift Technologies, a Canadian maker of lifting seat and light therapy home care products. Terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.
Walgreens’ same-store sales fall as Rx results suffer
Same-store sales for Walgreen Co. were down in May, though less than in the previous month, as the company’s contract dispute with pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts Inc. continued to impact its prescription business by double-digits.
RxAlly adds Medco exec as officer
Peter Duran has joined the retail pharmacy alliance RxAlly as vice president and chief privacy officer.
Catalina hires digital commerce veteran for new post
Michael Murray, formerly the head of e-commerce marketing at Sears Holdings Corp., has joined Catalina Marketing Corp. as chief product officer, a newly created position.
Walgreens grows its relationship with OptumRx, ends suit with Express Scripts
Walgreen Co. has expanded its relationship with pharmacy benefit manager OptumRx and ended its lawsuit with PBM Express Scripts Inc.
Duracell unveils Duralock with Power Preserve Technology
Duracell is introducing a new technology that it calls "the biggest news in the brand’s battery product portfolio since the creation of CopperTop.
CVS consumer poll: What’s an insurance exchange?
A survey by CVS Caremark Corp. found that 78% of consumers eligible for new health care coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act have never heard of the state health insurance exchanges where they will have to shop for coverage starting in 2014.
Pharmacy organizations sound off on PDUFA amendment
Five pharmacy trade groups have written to Congress to voice their opposition to an amendment to the Food and Drug Administration Safety Innovation Act, saying it could delay patients timely relief from chronic pain and hike drug costs.
Walgreens, CVS studies gauge Rx adherence guidance
Fresh research by Walgreen Co. and CVS Caremark Corp. reveals that a more personal, precise approach to improving medication adherence is more successful.