2016 Retail Outlook: Pharmacy’s reach to expand
getting the most out of its continued movement away from a dispensing foundation toward a
Issue 01-04-2016
Walmart recognized for innovation in pharmacy
Walmart has had a long history of making health care more accessible and affordable. From the launch of $4 generics in 2006 to the recent introduction of Walmart Care Clinics, which promise to have the same kind of impact on pricing in that sector as the earlier program did in pharmacy, the
CVS’ Judy Sansone is Merchant of Year
Over the course of the past decade, CVS Health has undergone profound changes, transforming itself from a traditional drug store operator into a health care innovation company.
Pessina, Rite Aid team named Retailers of Year
For 2015, the editors of Chain Drug Review have chosen to give the publication’s annual Retailer of the Year honors to two chain drug retail industry leaders: Stefano Pessina, executive vice chairman and CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., and the management team at Rite Aid Corp.
Walgreens, Valeant sign distribution pact
Walgreens and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. have inked a distribution deal that will cut prices of Valeant prescription products at Walgreens by 10%, and may be extended to independent retail pharmacies.
CVS takes ownership of Target pharmacies
CVS Health Corp. has completed the acquisition of Target Corp.’s pharmacy and clinic businesses, making CVS the No. 1 drug chain by store count and sales. With the closing of the $1.
Rite Aid shareholders ready to vote on WBA deal
Rite Aid Corp. stockholders will vote next month on the company’s merger with Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). Rite Aid has scheduled a February 4 special stockholders meeting for the balloting. Stockholders as of the close of business on December 18 will be eligible to vote.
CVS well positioned to create value in health care
CVS Health has raised the midpoint of its earnings outlook for 2016 and reiterated its five-year steady state targets. The company now expects next year’s adjusted earnings per share to range from $5.73 to $5.88, reflecting solid year-over-year growth of 11.25% to 14.25%.
Drug chains post modest sales gains during holidays
Drug chains were not immune to the shift in holiday shopping away from brick-and-mortar retailing, as sales growth barely exceeded 4%. That was down from last season’s 4.4% advance in holiday retail sales, and well off the 5.4% gain of five years ago. Same-store sales were up 1.
Boehner to keynote NACDS Annual Meeting
John Boehner, the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, will deliver the keynote address at the 2016 NACDS Annual Meeting. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores said that Boehner (R.
Budget deal includes some setbacks for Obamacare
Republican opponents of President Obama’s health care law may do better by dismantling the Affordable Care Act piece by piece.
HHS’ Burwell asks pharmacies to help spur ACA enrollment
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell stopped at an H-E-B grocery store here, where she drew attention to the December 15 enrollment deadline for consumers who wanted their health insurance plans to become active on January 1.
Rogers succeeds Quinn as Walmart marketing chief
Walmart has named a new chief marketing officer to take the place of the outgoing Stephen Quinn.
Pharmacists rank high on trust
Although pharmacists scored high, nurses topped Gallup’s Honesty and Ethics of Professions rankings for 2015, a feat that they have accomplished every year but one since they were added to the list in 1999.
Mobile payment system introduced by Walmart
Walmart knows customers want to save not just money but also time. To meet that customer need, the retailer has introduced Walmart Pay — “a fast, easy and secure way for customers to pay with their smartphones in Walmart stores.
Lawmakers see pharmacists as pillar of MTM
A bipartisan group of congressional representatives is urging that retail pharmacists play a part in a new initiative designed to improve the use of medication therapy management in Medicare.