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Issue 01-03-2011

2011 Retail Forecast: Drug chains ready for change

With 2011 now here, chain drug retailers across North America are encountering many of the same challenges that they did a year ago. Executives at U.S. and Canadian drug store chains said that as the new year rolls forward, they expect to see more signs that an economic recovery is under way

Kerr pharmacy management team honored

Because of a dedication to health care that is unmatched by almost any other retailer in North America, the pharmacy management team at Kerr Drug has been chosen by the editors of Chain Drug Review as the collective recipients of this year’s Chain Drug Pharmacy Executives of the Year award for 2010.

Late surge lifts chain drug holiday sales

A last-minute shopping surge turned a disappointing holiday selling season into an acceptable one for America’s chain drug retailers, as customers crowded into the nation’s chain drug stores during the three days before Christmas to buy many of the holiday items they had repeatedly deferred or postp

CVS eyes options following Mullany ruling

It appears unlikely that Hank Mullany will join CVS/pharmacy. In the wake of a decision by a Delaware judge to prevent, at least temporarily, the former Walmart executive from becoming president of the drug chain, sources close to parent company CVS Caremark Corp.

Cardinal, Walgreens extends distribution deal

Cardinal Health Inc. has announced the early renewal of its distribution agreement with Walgreen Co. to supply pharmaceuticals to its more than 7,600 retail pharmacies across the country. The new agreement extends into 2013. Additional terms of the agreement were not ­disclosed.

Medicaid cuts weighed by Washington state

Adults receiving prescription coverage under Washington state’s Medicaid program could lose that benefit if lawmakers do not find a way to trim the state’s budget shortfall when they reconvene later this month. Facing a $1.1 billion deficit, Washington Gov.

Walgreens, HHS target flu

Walgreen Co. and the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) have joined forces to provide flu vaccinations to hundreds of thousands of people who may not otherwise be able to afford them.

Courts divided over constitutionality of health reform law

Last month’s ruling by a federal judge in Virginia that part of the health care reform law is unconstitutional and hints from another judge in Florida that he may issue a similar decision have set the stage for a long legal battle. The ruling by Judge Henry Hudson of Federal District Court

More chains join UnitedHealthcare Rx network

The UnitedHealthcare segment of United­Health Group has added five retail chains to its program that provides Medicare Part D beneficiaries enrolled in the company’s plan with savings on the prescriptions they fill at the chains’ pharmacies. Executives say the addition of Target Corp.; H.E.

Tyler to lead McKesson Pharmaceutical unit

McKesson Corp. has appointed Brian Tyler as president of its McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical unit. Tyler, who had been president of McKesson’s medical-surgical division, succeeds John Figueroa, who has accepted the position of chief executive officer of Omnicare Inc.