Competing imperatives shape pharmacy’s future
The commoditization of community pharmacy has come in for a good deal of criticism in recent years.
Latest
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.
Front-end rebound, strong Rx boost Walgreens’ monthly sales
A rebound in front-end business and strong pharmacy sales fueled a solid same-store sales gain at Walgreen Co. in September. The drug store chain said Friday that sales in comparable stores rose 5.3% for the month, more than doubling the 1.9% uptick in August and the 2% increase in July.
Walgreens marks opening of 7,000th store
Walgreen Co. on Thursday celebrated hitting the 7,000-store mark nationwide with the grand opening of a new location in Brooklyn, New York.
Drugstore.com launches sexual wellness online store
Drugstore.com this week launched SexualWellBeing.com, an online store offering sexual health products.
CVS begins offering flu shot vouchers to the unemployed
CVS Caremark Corp. on Thursday started distributing vouchers for free seasonal flu shots to the unemployed, kicking off the effort in Boston.
Rite Aid sees dip in September same-store sales
Same-store sales tailed off in September at Rite Aid Corp. but improved compared with the previous month’s results. For the four weeks ended September 26, Rite Aid’s same-store sales fell 0.3%, marking the drug store chain’s fourth consecutive month of same-store declines.
Diabetes management campaign kicks off at Rite Aid
Rite Aid Corp. this week began its annual campaign to help diabetes patients better manage the disease.
Pharmacy groups sue three states over Medicaid cuts
Pharmacy industry groups are suing the states of California, New York and Washington, claiming they have made unlawful cuts in Medicaid and have failed to ensure patient access to care and the quality of care.
Wasson: Walgreens’ store growth more balanced
Walgreen Co. has been taking a more measured approach as it extends the reach of its store network, focusing mainly on organic growth, improved efficiency and greater customer appeal.
Rite Aid teams with hospital to open health clinics
Rite Aid Corp. plans to open several in-store health clinics in Maryland and Delaware through a partnership with a local hospital.