Senate edges closer to final OK for health reform bill
Senate Democrats united in a key procedural vote to push the chamber’s health care reform package a step closer to their goal of getting a final bill approved by Christmas.
CDR
Walgreens 1Q gets boost from flu shot business
Walgreen Co. topped Wall Street’s profit forecast and saw sales climb 9.5% in its fiscal 2010 first quarter, fueled by a surge in its flu vaccination business.
CVS Caremark names new PBM president
Per Lofberg, president and chief executive officer of Generation Health Inc., has been appointed president of CVS Caremark Corp.’s pharmacy benefit management business. Plans call for Lofberg to start in the position on January 4, CVS Caremark said Monday.
Safeway updates availability of H1N1, seasonal flu shots
Safeway Inc. has made the H1N1 vaccine available through its pharmacies in 16 states and is offering seasonal flu immunizations in all of its stores.
Energizer Holdings board member to step down
Energizer Holdings Inc. director Joe Micheletto has resigned from the household and personal care manufacturer’s board. The company said Thursday that Micheletto is retiring and plans to step down from the board effective January 2.
Merck to buy Avecia Biologics
Merck & Co. has agreed to acquire Avecia Biologics, a contract manufacturing organization specializing in microbial-derived biologics. Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. Under the agreement, made with Avecia Investments Ltd.
Duane Reade serves up H1N1 immunizations
Duane Reade has begun providing H1N1 vaccinations via flu shot clinics at several locations in New York City.
Lawmakers urge higher FUL for Medicaid Rx
Leading pharmacy groups said 16 members of Congress are calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to consider a higher federal upper limit (FUL) for reimbursing pharmacies for dispensing generic prescription drugs under the Medicaid program.
NACDS praises Senate action on drug reimportation
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores applauded the Senate for preventing the passage of prescription drug reimportation amendments that the association said would have "compromised the link between pharmacy and patients.
Rite Aid shrinks 3Q loss, but revenue slips
Rite Aid Corp. beat Wall Street analyst estimates with a narrower loss in its fiscal 2010 third quarter, although sales tailed off slightly. The drug store chain on Thursday posted a net loss of $83.9 million, or 10 cents per diluted share, for the 13 weeks ended November 28, compared with
CVS rolls out H1N1 vaccinations, restocks seasonal flu shots
CVS Caremark Corp. has made H1N1 "swine flu" vaccines available at CVS/pharmacies and MinuteClinics in 21 states and is again offering seasonal flu shots through its in-store health clinics.
Unilever appoints Bristol-Myers exec as CFO
Jean-Marc Huet, currently chief financial officer at Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., is joining Unilever as CFO. Unilever said Wednesday that the 40-year-old Huet will take over the company’s CFO post starting January 1.
Walgreens nears national H1N1 vaccine availability
Walgreen Co. plans to have H1N1 "swine flu" vaccinations available in all 50 states by the end of this month.
Bang to join SDM as senior VP
Chong Bang, Walgreen Co.’s general merchandise manager for photo and front-end services and the latest executive to oversee implementation of the company’s Customer-Centric Retailing (CCR) initiative, plans to leave the company later this month.
Full Senate takes up debate about health care reform
Senators have dug in for a prolonged floor fight on health care reform, even after voting on their first two amendments.
CMS policy on Part D is at issue
Pharmacy operators and drug wholesalers say they fear that a new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) policy could prevent certain medications for chronic conditions from being covered by Medicare Part D.