<i>State of the Industry Report</i>: The Top 10 Drug Chains
The biggest retailers got stronger, but all in all the chain drug sector turned in an impressive performance in 2009. CVS Caremark Corp.
Issue 04-26-2010
Interview: With Merlo, NACDS has sure hand at helm
At a time when the nation’s health care system is embarking on a period of fundamental change, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is fortunate to have Larry Merlo as its new chairman. As the president of CVS/pharmacy and executive vice president of CVS Caremark Corp.
Industry Outlook: Healthy Rx buoys drug chains
Signs are pointing to another up-and-down year for chain drug retailers. Industry analysts say a lukewarm economic recovery will keep customers in a cautious frame of mind, with front-end sales remaining weak despite a healthy pharmacy business.
Q&A: Anderson keeps NACDS focused on what matters
For the past 12 months the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and its president and chief executive officer, Steve Anderson, have been actively engaged in fighting on the front lines in the battle over health care reform.
Research highlights need to improve Rx adherence
An article that appeared in The New England Journal of Medicine earlier this month is being hailed by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores for helping to drive home the organization’s message that community pharmacists play a key role in helping reduce long-term health care costs.
Ontario plans to slash Rx payments for generics
After nine months of discussions with the pharmacy community about how to reduce the government’s costs, Ontario’s health ministry has decided that the best way to accomplish those savings is to slash the reimbursement rate paid to pharmacies when they dispense generic drugs.
Canadian drug chains react swiftly to reimbursement cuts
While Canada’s largest drug chains have traditionally been reluctant to take on provincial governments publicly, their reaction to Ontario’s plan to reduce the pharmacy reimbursement rate on prescriptions filled with generic drugs by 50% was quick and to the point.
Walgreens proves point in flu season
Walgreen Co.’s more than 7,100 pharmacies and 350 Take Care Clinics administered over 7.4 million seasonal flu shots and H1N1 immunizations during this past flu season.
Obama names CMS chief
After nearly four years without a permanent administrator, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is getting a new leader. President Obama has nominated Donald Berwick, a pediatrician known for his work to improve patient care, as the next CMS administrator.
Restrictions on O-T-Cs opposed
Pseudoephedrine products should stay over the counter, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) have told Congress.
MinuteClinic takes aim at chronic conditions
CVS Caremark Corp.’s MinuteClinic division has introduced several health condition monitoring services aimed at patients with a variety of chronic conditions.
Walgreens starts Duane Reade integration
John Spina, vice president of retail integration and new format development at Walgreen Co., will continue to oversee the company’s integration of Duane Reade Inc.
Kinney Drugs realigns merchandising
Kinney Drugs has restructured its merchandising department, promoting Cheri Taylor to division manger of health and beauty care and making Mike Hatch, who had previously overseen the 94-store chain’s health and beauty efforts, division manager of general merchandise.
Rite Aid stores host free skin cancer screenings
Rite Aid Corp. drug stores are offering free full-body screenings for skin cancer as part of the Skin Cancer Foundation’s “Road to Healthy Skin” tour. Rite Aid Corp.
Tax break ended by health care reform
Walgreen Co. is among the corporations that will take an accounting charge because of health care reform’s reduction of tax deductions for retiree drug coverage. Walgreens said it anticipates a charge of some $40 million to deferred taxes in the third quarter of fiscal 2010.