Rx groups send Supreme Court brief in Medicaid case
Pharmacy groups have joined a pending case before the U.S. Supreme Court to determine if cuts to the reimbursement rates paid under Medicaid violate federal law.
CDR
Industry mourns ECRM’s Bowlus
Charlie Bowlus is being remembered by chain drug and manufacturing executives as much for his disarming warmth and sincerity as for breaking new ground in retailer-supplier relations. Bowlus, founder and chief executive officer of ECRM, died this month of complications from emergency surgery.
Two top retailers weigh in on tax code
As stocks gyrated and the economy sputtered, the leaders of CVS Caremark Corp. and Walmart called for Congress to restructure the corporate tax code.
Drug chains’ flu shot programs have an impact
Through national programs, local public-private initiatives and individual efforts of chain drug stores, retail pharmacists are gaining increased recognition as providers of influenza vaccinations.
Rite Aid taps Henderson to head communications
Public relations and communications veteran Susan Henderson has joined Rite Aid Corp. as senior vice president and chief communications officer. She replaces Karen Rugen, who retired last month.
Walgreens names successor to retiring general counsel
Dana Green, executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Walgreen Co., is retiring after 37 years with the company and is being replaced by Thomas Sabatino. Walgreens said Monday that Sabatino, who will have the same title, is slated to take over the post effective Sept. 12.
CVS Caremark ramps up share buybacks
As a share repurchase program begun last year winds down, CVS Caremark Corp. is planning another one twice as large. The company said Wednesday that its board has authorized up to $4 billion in buybacks of its common stock.
In uncertain times, pharmacy’s benefits stand out
As the leaders of community pharmacy gather in Boston for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy and Technology Conference, the profession continues to confront a number of unresolved issues that could have a direct bearing on its ability to provide accessible, affordable patient car
Drug chains prepare customers for Hurricane Irene
With Hurricane Irene rolling along the East Coast, chain drug retailers are making sure that customers can rely on their neighborhood drug store for their vital medications and key supplies so they can be prepared.
Unilever sells Alberto VO5, Rave brands
Unilever plans to sell rights to the Alberto VO5 and Rave hair care brands to private equity firm Brynwood Partners VI L.P. The consumer products giant said Wednesday that the divestiture is required by the U.S. Department of Justice in the wake of its $3.7 billion acquisition of the Alberto
Innovation, RxSafe enter distribution partnership
Under a partnership agreement, pharmacy automation supplier Innovation plans to distribute RxSafe’s line of automated, high-density robotic storage and retrieval systems.
Apricus antifungal drug cleared by FDA
NexMed USA, a subsidiary of Apricus Biosciences Inc., has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to market Tolnaftate-D, the company’s first over-the-counter antifungal medication with its NexACT technology.
Skinvisible’s DermSafe hand sanitizer to launch in Canada
Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals Inc. next month plans to roll out its DermSafe antimicrobial hand sanitizer in Canada. The Las Vegas-based company said Thursday that DermSafe will be launched by Alto Pharmaceuticals in Canada on Sept. 1, in time for the back-to-school and flu seasons.
Express Scripts, Medco to merge
In one fell swoop, the pharmacy benefits market is changing in a big way. The $29.1 billion merger between Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc., the No. 2 and No.
Combination of PBMs draws fire from Rx groups
The proposed merger of pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions is expected to face close scrutiny from antitrust regulators because the combined company would have leverage over about a third of U.S. prescriptions filled.