Health insurance exchanges begin to take shape
More than 120 insurance companies have signed up for online health exchanges that will start offering subsidized plans in less than four months.
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Commonsense reform for PBMs
large and small — might lack leverage in contractual negotiations with pharmacy benefit managers, but the actual leverage pharmacies have is to expose systematic inequities and their effect on every other stakeholder.
House passes pharmaceutical tracking bill
A federal system to track and trace prescription drugs moved a step closer to becoming reality earlier this month when the House of Representatives approved the Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act of 2013.
USA Drug’s LaFrance dies
Stephen LaFrance Sr., who built a regional drug store powerhouse with USA Drug, died earlier this month. He was 71. LaFrance started USA Drug in 1968 when he opened a single store here. Eventually the drug chain would include nearly 200 stores in six states, operating under a variety of banners.
Jean Coutu makes plans to move headquarters
The Jean Coutu Group says it will relocate its headquarters and distribution center in Longueuil, Quebec, to larger facilities that will be built in Varennes. The Canadian drug chain said construction of the Varennes facilities, which will total 800,000 square feet, is slated to start in 2014.
Rite Aid refinances debt, forecasts profit
Rite Aid Corp. plans to refinance $500 million in debt and, in tandem with the transaction, is projecting net earnings for its fiscal 2014 first quarter, which would mark the drug chain’s third consecutive profitable quarter. Rite Aid has commenced a cash tender offer for its $500 million of 7.
Medi-Cal court ruling a ‘recipe for disaster’
The California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) has denounced a federal appeals court for refusing to review a ruling that lowered the state’s Medicare reimbursement rates.
Credit card settlement draws new fire from retailers
A number of retailers and trade associations have rejected the proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit over credit card companies’ swipe fees, while a group of 17 retailers have filed a new lawsuit against Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc.
Welcome Narveson, welcome back Lafley
or reemerged — on the chain drug scene this spring, each bringing a sense of excitement and innovation to an industry suddenly in need of both. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of their emergence is that each is a throwback to an earlier time, a period when innovation and
How retail pharmacy should approach the ACA
a key provision of the legislation, but one the Supreme Court,
Bellaboo tween/teen skin brand carried by Kinney Drugs
Bellaboo, a natural skin care line for tween and teen girls, has hit store shelves at Kinney Drugs. Bellaboo’s products include a facial wash, a facial exfoliator, a moisturizer, acne treatments and facial masks, as well as a starter kit.
Debt offering upsized by Rite Aid
Rite Aid Corp. has more than doubled a debt offering initiated this week. The company said late Tuesday it’s now offering $810 million of 6.75% unsecured senior notes due in 2021, $410 million more than a senior notes offering announced Monday. Rite Aid said it aims to use the proceeds plus
Crest/Oral-B poll: Boomers concerned with oral health
Dental health ranks in the top three medical concerns among those age 50 and older, according to a survey by Crest and Oral-B Pro-Health For Life and AARP. The Procter & Gamble oral care brands said Tuesday that 75% of respondents in the poll, conducted by AARP, agreed that "compared to my overall
AQUAhydrate water grows retail distribution
AQUAhydrate Inc. has expanded retail distribution of its eponymous health-and-fitness water in the West and Midwest.
Energizer Personal Care enlists licensing firm
Energizer Personal Care has partnered with licensing agency Brandgenuity LLC to extend the reach of its Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat and Playtex brands. Brandgenuity said Tuesday that it has been enlisted by Shelton, Conn.
Actavis has mixed reaction to Supreme Court decision
Actavis Inc. expects patent litigation to be more difficult in the wake of yesterday’s Supreme Court’s ruling on patent settlements. In Monday’s 5-3 decision, the high court reversed a ruling by the U.S.