Budget woes threaten Medicaid Rx in Wash. state
A budget crunch in Washington state could have dire consequences for recipients of Medicaid pharmacy benefits.
CDR
Walgreens begins new fiscal year with profit surge
A strong operational performance fueled a nearly 19% gain in earnings in the fiscal 2011 first quarter at Walgreen Co., exceeding analysts’ per-share profit forecast by 8 cents. Same-store sales in the quarter, however, edged up less than 1% year over year, despite a 6% increase in total revenue.
CVS’ MinuteClinic aims to bolster health literacy
Through an agreement with the National Patient Safety Foundation, MinuteClinic said it will become the nation’s first retail health clinic provider to implement the Ask Me 3 health literacy program. Plans call for MinuteClinic, a subsidiary of CVS Caremark Corp.
Amneal adds Quinnova Pharmaceuticals to alliance
Amneal Enterprises LLC has expanded into the dermatology market with the addition of Quinnova Pharmaceuticals Inc. as an independent affiliate. Newtown, Pa.-based Quinnova joins the Amneal alliance of life science companies through its acquisition by AmDerma Pharmaceuticals LLC, Amneal said Monday.
Tom’s of Maine program helps mobile dental clinics
Tom’s of Maine is encouraging mobile dental clinics nationwide to apply for $20,000 in program funding as part of its annual Dental Health For All program.
GAO: Reform law lifts Medicaid Rx reimbursement
A new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that health care reform has made Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement levels more palatable for retail pharmacies.
Prestige Brands to buy Dramamine from McNeil
Prestige Brands Holdings Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets associated with the Dramamine business in the United States from McNeil-PPC Inc. for $76 million.
Walgreens, HHS to provide free flu shots to uninsured
Walgreen Co. has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer $10 million of free flu shots in 15 markets nationwide to people who lack health insurance or have insufficient health coverage.
Vicks kicks off NFL fan contest on Facebook
Leveraging social media, Procter & Gamble Co.’s Vicks DayQuil and NyQuil cold, cough and flu relief brands have launched a new Facebook contest dubbed the "Search for the Most Dedicated NFL Fan.
Lansinoh hires Thome as COO
Richard Thome has joined Lansinoh Laboratories Inc. as chief operations officer.
CVS mulls options amid dispute over Mullany hiring
It appears increasingly unlikely that former Walmart executive Hank Mullany will join CVS/pharmacy. In the wake of a decision by a Delaware judge to prevent, at least temporarily, Mullany from becoming president of the drug chain, sources close to parent company CVS Caremark Corp.
MinuteClinic allies with Nevada hospital system
MinuteClinic has affiliated with St. Rose Dominican Hospitals in southern Nevada in a clinical alliance to enhance the health care services in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The CVS Caremark Corp.
NACDS Foundation to make biggest-ever grant to Rx residencies
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation plans to contribute $1.5 million in grants to expand the availability of community pharmacy residency programs (CPRPs) for pharmacy graduates, which it said is the single-largest grant ever dedicated to community pharmacy residencies.
Halls survey: Many cold/flu suffers won’t call in sick
Cold and flu symptoms don’t deter many Americans from going to work, according to poll by Kraft Foods’ Halls cough drop brand.
Cardinal Health tool kit on Rx abuse targets teens
The Cardinal Health Foundation and the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy have teamed up to launch the new GenerationRx Youth Toolkit, aimed at helping prevent prescription drug abuse by teens.
Rite Aid trims loss in third quarter
Despite declined revenue, Rite Aid Corp. narrowed its loss for its fiscal 2011 third quarter and came in ahead of Wall Street’s forecast. The drug store chain said Thursday that for the 13-week third quarter ended Nov. 27, sales fell 2.4% to $6.2 billion from $6.4 billion a year earlier. The