Affordable Care Act encounters new headwinds
UnitedHealth Group Inc. may pull out of Affordable Care Act health insurance exchanges in 2017 after losing what it said were hundreds of millions of dollars on policies sold under the law.
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Health care spending outpaces economy
Health care spending in the United States last year exceeded $3 trillion as five years of slow growth was replaced by the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid and private health insurance coverage. Prescription drug prices accelerated as well.
Pfizer-Allergan deal is expected to stand
Despite widespread criticism over the issue of tax inversions, legal experts say that current regulatory restrictions in the United States are unlikely to block the $160 billion merger deal announced by U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and Ireland-based drug manufacturer Allergan Inc.
Generics resonate with consumers
Americans prefer generic drugs to brands for both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, according to a new Harris Poll. Among those who purchase prescription drugs for themselves, nearly seven in 10 (69%) say, given a choice, they would opt for generics more often.
Chawla exits Walgreens to become Kohl’s COO
Sona Chawla has left Walgreens to join Kohl’s Corp. as chief operating officer, a new position. She reports to chairman, president and chief executive officer Kevin Mansell. Chawla, who had been president of digital and chief marketing officer at Walgreens, joined Kohl’s at the end of last month.
AmerisourceBergen gives Collis bigger role
AmerisourceBergen Corp. announced last month that Steve Collis, the company’s chief executive officer, will succeed company chairman Richard Gozon next year. The company has also adopted measures to make it easier for certain shareholders to nominate directors to the board.
Shoppers Drug Mart launches more beautyBOUTIQUEs
Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) has debuted its sixth and seventh enhanced beautyBOUTIQUE store-within-a-stores in Ottawa and Montreal. The Ottawa boutique was unveiled at a store in the Rideau Centre. The Montreal boutique, named galerieBEAUTÉ, was unveiled in a Pharmaprix unit on Rue Sainte-Catherine.
Pharmacies are at top of Gallup poll on service
Consumers agree that pharmacies are more than up to the task of providing superior customer service.
CVS deploys digital tools to support patient health
CVS Health announced a suite of new digital tools last month aimed at helping customers manage their health with more ease and efficiency. The company noted that the new digital tools were developed specifically to address issues facing CVS Health customers.
Albertsons buys back 33 stores
As Albertsons weighs staging an initial public offering it had originally planned for October, it is expanding with the purchase of 33 stores it had been forced last year to divest.
Sterling shows impact Rx can have in combating hypertension
Sterling Drug, in collaboration with HealthPartners and PharmaSmart, has demonstrated the potential of community pharmacists to reduce hypertension.
Free Rx program is expanded by Publix
Publix Supermarkets Inc. is offering free 90-day supplies of metformin, lisinopril and amlodipine to pharmacy customers with a prescription for the medications. Previously, 30-day supplies of the medications were offered with a prescription.
Paradigm shift in mass retailing now under way
The retailing business in the United States may have reached an inflection point during the period around Black Friday, traditionally seen as the start of the holiday selling season.
Questions abound as ’15 draws to a close
and very little was as it had been a year ago. Many of the same familiar faces were on hand, and several of the same retail companies attended. But the yearlong series of events that have
2015 NACDS Foundation Dinner raises $1.9 million
This year’s NACDS Foundation Dinner, the 17th annual, raised $1.9 million, which will be earmarked for the foundation’s patient-centered care research agenda. More than 87 companies from a range of industries sponsored the event, held Thursday evening in Manhattan. Hy-Vee Inc.
NACDS speaks out on Rx importation, refill reminders
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores made its voice heard this week on two key pharmacy matters: importation of prescription drugs and prescription refill reminders.