ESI-Medco deal gets green light from the FTC
The Federal Trade Commission has cleared the way for Express Scripts Inc.’s controversial acquisition of pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) Medco Health Solutions Inc. for about $29 billion.
Issue 04-09-2012
Pharmacy groups sue to block PBM merger
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) have filed a lawsuit to block the merger of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc.
Lawmakers learn about power of Rx
Hundreds of chain drug executives, pharmacists and pharmacy students from across the country converged on Capitol Hill last month to lobby lawmakers about the vital role community pharmacy plays in the nation’s health care system.
CVS sets PBM succession plan
CVS Caremark Corp. has announced succession plans for the leadership of its pharmacy benefit management (PBM) business. Jon Roberts, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Caremark Pharmacy Services, will take the title of president, now held by Per Lofberg, as of September 1.
Supreme Court tackles health care
Pointed questions from Supreme Court justices raised doubts last month about the viability of the health care reform law’s individual mandate.
CVS decides to pull the plug on Beauty 360 concept
CVS Caremark Corp. plans to shutter its Beauty 360 outlets in order to focus on its core beauty business. The drug chain is slated to close its 25 luxury beauty outlets, as well as the beauty360.com website, by May 19. Beauty 360 debuted in November 2008 alongside a CVS/pharmacy store at Dupont
Navarro returns to one Florida community
Navarro Discount Pharmacy has opened its 31st store.
Rite Aid mobile app makes debut
Rite Aid Corp. has launched its own mobile application, offering iPhone and Android smartphone users a menu of pharmacy and shopper tools.
FMI, GMDC plan joint show
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Global Market Development Center (GMDC) have agreed to team up to offer a conference on health, beauty and wellness next year. The event, scheduled for May 31 to June 4, 2013, at the JW Marriott Hill Country in San Antonio, is being geared to food retailers
Ban on Medi-Cal cuts is upheld on appeal
A federal appeals court here has denied attempts by California’s Department of Health Care Services to suspend a lower court’s earlier decision to block cuts in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. The U.S.
The Walgreens Way to Well
Walgreen Co. has launched the Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour with the National Urban League (NUL) as a charitable component of the drug chain’s Way to Well Commitment, a four-year, $100 million effort aimed at improving the everyday health of Americans.
‘Draconian’ Tricare plan blasted
Congressional approval of President Obama’s budget proposals to increase Tricare beneficiary out-of-pocket expenses would force patients away from community pharmacies and into mail-order programs, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores says.
Drug, wellness database launched on Facebook
Walgreen Co. and Sharecare, an online health care question-and-answer service, have teamed up to provide what they say is the largest searchable drug, supplements and wellness database on Facebook.
Miller recognized for courage, determination
Bob Miller has just received the prestigious Horatio Alger Award, a recognition accorded those individuals “whose courage and determination allowed them to overcome the challenges they faced early in their lives and achieve success in their fields.” “There are no secret formulas for success.
Legal action aims to counter real threat to Rx
Once again, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, together with the National Community Pharmacists Association, has stepped forward to defend the vital interests of retail pharmacy and the patients the profession serves.
