Health care reform cost estimate rises
The cost of reforming the nation’s health care system may be more than originally expected, a recent estimate from the Congressional Budget Office finds.
CDR
Rite Aid unveils private-label baby care line
Rite Aid Corp. has added a new line of private brand products to its baby care offering. Called Tugaboos, the line initially includes diapers and training pants. Going forward, Rite Aid expects to add more items, including creams, lotions and wipes.
Chain Drug Consortium launches Web portal
The Chain Drug Consortium has launched a Web portal that it says will provide members’ retail point-of-sale data to all participating program suppliers. To create the portal, the Chain Drug Consortium has partnered with Sona LLC.
NACDS appoints VP of state affairs
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has named Sandra Kay Guckian vice president of state government affairs. In her new role Guckian, who previously served as vice president and deputy director of state government affairs, will head the NACDS state government affairs team.
Pennsylvania law to spur pharmacist-doctor teamwork
A new law in Pennsylvania will foster more teamwork between pharmacists and doctors on behalf of patients, according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
Walgreens severs its pharmacy relationship with CVS Caremark PBM
Walgreen Co. no longer plans to participate in any new and renewed prescription drug plans awarded to the pharmacy benefit management business of CVS Caremark Corp.
Target sweetens pharmacy rewards
Target Corp. is changing its pharmacy rewards program to make it easier for customers to earn discounts for filling prescriptions at its stores.
Rite Aid reports decline in May sales
Sluggish pharmacy and front-end business fueled a decline in same-stores sales and total revenue in May at Rite Aid Corp. The drug store chain said Thursday that same-store sales for the five weeks ended May 29 fell 1.7% compared with the prior-year period. That was down from a 1% drop-off in
Same-store sales stay flat for Walgreens
Despite a solid gain in overall revenue, Walgreen Co. posted roughly flat same-store sales for May. The drug store chain said Thursday that comparable-store sales in May — which don’t include the recently acquired Duane Reade stores — dipped 0.
Duane Reade customers to sample Omnibalm
Product sampling for Balm Innovations’ Omnibalm 13% Tea Tree Oil Skin Relief Cream is being held this week at select Duane Reade drug stores in New York City. The company said that from June 3 to 5, customers at 20 Duane Reade stores in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens can receive samples
ZymaDerm gets distribution at Walgreens
Walgreens has agreed to carry ZymaDerm, a painless topical treatment for the skin infection molluscum contagiosum, at its drug stores nationwide. Naturopathix Inc., which markets ZymaDerm, said Wednesday that the over-the-counter treatment makes the skin condition disappear in 30 days.
Noxzema preps Clean Blemish Control ad blitz
Noxzema next month plans to launch an advertising campaign for its new Clean Blemish Control line of acne treatments. The Alberto Culver brand said the Clean Blemish Control formulations are designed for adult skin to help prevent breakouts and blemishes.
NACDS: DEA OKs e-prescribing for controlled substances
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has commended the Drug Enforcement Administration for issuing its interim final rule allowing electronic prescribing of controlled substances.
CVS Caremark details genetic benefit management service
CVS Caremark Corp. plans to offer a genetic benefit management (GBM) service in tandem with Generation Health Inc.
Costco Canada pharmacies to deploy health info kiosks
Costco Wholesale Corp. plans to roll out health and wellness information kiosks in its pharmacies in Ontario using a solution from shopper marketing provider Aisle7. Portland, Ore.
Target to open more health clinics
Target Corp. plans to open eight new Target Clinic locations in early September. The discount store chain said Wednesday that the expansion includes five new health clinics at Target stores in Chicago and three in Palm Beach, Fla.-area Target stores.