NACDS raises voice in health care fight
The expected approval of the Senate Finance Committee’s health care bill may have brought reform closer to the end of the beginning than the beginning of the end.
CDR
Rx groups file suits on Medicaid
Groups representing community pharmacy have sued four states, saying that they are failing to provide Medicaid patients with access to the same care as everyone else.
Congress agrees to delay start of new DME regs
Though community pharmacy groups praised Congress’ decision last week to delay the accreditation deadline for pharmacies providing durable medical equipment (DME) under Medicare, they continue to seek an exemption for drug retailers.
Another tough holiday sales season foreseen
Chain drug retailers may well escape the worst of what is expected to be a poor holiday sales season. Drug chains have been outperforming other trade classes, and demand for flu shots is expected to help sustain their momentum, notwithstanding generally gloomy forecasts for retailers overall.
Duane Reade ramps up brand efforts
Looking to solidify itself as New Yorkers’ drug chain of choice, Duane Reade Inc. has kicked off the second phase of a massive advertising campaign and launched an exclusive brand of food and beverages.
Riedl to retire from Walgreens
Drug store industry veteran George Riedl will leave Walgreen Co. at the end of the year. He currently serves as senior vice president of pharmacy innovation and purchasing for the retailer.
Thompson promoted by Rite Aid
Robert Thompson has been promoted to executive vice president of pharmacy at Rite Aid Corp. Thompson, 56, had been the retailer’s senior vice president of pharmacy operations.
Mac Naughton accepts Wal-Mart Canada post
Duncan Mac Naughton has been named chief marketing officer at Wal-Mart Canada. The 47-year-old retail veteran had been executive vice president of merchandising and marketing at Supervalu Inc.
CVS, Walgreens should seize moment
CVS Caremark and Walgreens both opened their 7,000th drug store earlier this fall, within a week of each other. CVS’ milestone store opened in a suburb of St. Paul, while Walgreens’ landmark unveiling took place in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Competing imperatives shape pharmacy’s future
The commoditization of community pharmacy has come in for a good deal of criticism in recent years.
Congress approves bill extending DME accreditation deadline
Congress has passed a bill that postpones the accreditation deadline through the end of the year for pharmacies providing durable medical equipment under Medicare. Under bill H.R. 3663, introduced by Reps. Zach Space (D., Ohio) and Lee Terry (R., Neb.
Duane Reade launches second ad blitz
Pushing ahead with its Big Apple theme, Duane Reade Inc. is rolling out its second wave of print advertisements throughout New York City.
CVS expects decline in Medicare Part D subsidy enrollees
CVS Caremark Corp. projects that the number of low-income subsidy members enrolled in its Silverscript and Accendo Medicare Part D plans will fall by 30% to 35% next year.
Former Starbucks, Pathmark CEO to take helm at Haggen
Jim Donald, a former chief executive officer at Starbucks Inc. and Pathmark Stores Inc., this week was named president CEO of regional food and drug chain Haggen Inc. He succeeds Dale Henley, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Riedl to leave Walgreens
George Riedl, senior vice president of pharmacy innovation and purchasing at Walgreen Co., plans to leave the company at the end of the year.
Minnesota sued by Rx groups over Medicaid reductions
Pharmacy groups this week expanded their legal action over Medicaid cutbacks to a fourth state, Minnesota.