London Drugs expands mobile device offerings
London Drugs has begun carrying a selection of wireless devices from WIND Mobile.
CDR
CVS photo service adds one-hour pickup
CVS/pharmacy has introduced Express Pick Up photo service for its online customers. The drug store chain said Friday that customers can now create photo books, calendars, cards and order prints online at CVSphoto.
Canadian drug chains squeezed as provinces cut back
For most of the past decade, community pharmacy has been one of Canada’s fastest-growing retail sectors. Not so in the first half of 2010. Health and personal care stores, the category that embraces pharmacy, had growth of only 2.4% in a period that saw total retail sales increase by 3.8%.
Kathleen Jaeger named NCPA chief executive
The National Community Pharmacists Association has appointed former Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) chief Kathleen Jaeger as NCPA’s executive vice president and chief executive officer. Jaeger’s appointment is effective Nov. 1.
CVS Caremark executives bullish about future opportunities
Despite warning that earnings and sales growth next year could fall below long-term goals, CVS Caremark Corp. executives told those who gathered for its annual analysts meeting that the company still has a bright future.
CMS’ new take on AMP rule assessed by NACDS
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is applauding a proposed rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that would withdraw two components of a contested 2007 rule that were related to pharmacy reimbursement for Medicaid.
Roberts named COO of Caremark
CVS Caremark Corp. has appointed Jon Roberts as chief operating officer of its pharmacy benefit management business.
Price cuts seen as key to holiday sales gains
Retailers can look forward to holiday sales that are stronger this year than in 2009, but only if they cut prices. That’s the consensus of industry analysts, who say the anemic economic recovery will dissuade consumers from opening their pocketbooks for Christmas unless they find bargains.
Drug disposal plan launched by Walgreens
Walgreen Co. has begun selling special envelopes to help consumers dispose of medications that they no longer need. Walgreens says the drug disposal program, which began earlier this month at its pharmacies across the country, is the first of its kind in the United States.
Immunizations raise profile of retail pharmacy
Chain pharmacies, already fully engaged in providing flu shots, have extended their immunization programs to respond to a whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak in California.
Walmart gets ready to go small
Walmart is stepping up its challenge to drug chains with the rollout of a new small-format store as part of an urban strategy. The discount store chain will target cities and small towns with the new outlets, which will be less than 30,000 square feet. It will also continue to open Neighborhood
Jean Coutu unveils hypertension program
The Jean Coutu Group Inc. has introduced a hypertension monitoring program that enables patients to control their blood pressure in cooperation with both their pharmacist and their physician.
Canadian drug chains in bind as big provinces cut back
For most of the past decade, community pharmacy has been one of Canada’s fastest-growing retail sectors. Not so in the first half of 2010. Health and personal care stores, the category that embraces pharmacy, had growth of only 2.4% in a period that saw total retail sales increase by 3.8%.
NACDS Foundation backs call for improving medication adherence
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation has applauded the New England Healthcare Institute (NEHI) for advocating a national strategy to examine the role “care teams’ can have on improving medication adherence.
Pharmaca tabs Janda VP of operations
Allison Janda has been named vice president of retail store operations at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy.
Analysis of top drug store markets offers some surprises
This issue of Chain Drug Review contains our annual look at America’s 100 largest drug store markets and the shares of the various drug store retailers within those markets. As is usually the case, this year’s analysis offers some surprises.