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Issue 06-01-2015

Acquisition takes CVS into new dispensing channel

Acquisition takes CVS into new dispensing channel

Boosting its services for the burgeoning senior market, CVS Health has agreed to acquire Omnicare — the nation’s largest provider of pharmaceutical services to long-term care facilities — for $12.7 billion. With the acquisition, which includes $2.

Albertsons taps Panzer to lead health business

Albertsons taps Panzer to lead health business

Mark Panzer has been named senior vice president of pharmacy, health and wellness at Albertsons LLC. Between Albertsons and Safeway stores, the company has 1,760 pharmacies in 34 states. Panzer, who had been president and chief executive officer of Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy Inc.

Washington state OKs provider status

A law described as the first of its kind in the nation to require health insurance carriers to include pharmacists as network providers has been signed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. The landmark law, ESSB 5557, was sponsored by Sen. Linda Parlette, who is also a registered pharmacist.

Medicine Shoppe ends tobacco sales

Another pharmaceutical chain has followed CVS Health and a host of other businesses — and even cities — in going smoke free. Medicine Shoppe International Inc.

Opportunities for Rx growing in Canada

Collaboration is the key to unlocking business growth opportunities for neighborhood pharmacies, according to Denise Carpenter, president and chief executive officer of the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada.

Aureus is purchased by Meijer

Meijer Inc. has signed a deal to acquire the specialty pharmacy and health services company Aureus Health Services Inc. The deal will allow the retailer to improve the customer offerings at its 217 supercenters and grocery stores in the Midwest, all of which have pharmacies.

CVS adds new twist to ExtraCare

CVS/pharmacy announced a promotion running from May 24 through June 20 that presents holders of the company’s ExtraCare loyalty card with the opportunity to receive a $10 CVSCash Card after spending $30 on an assortment of items found in the retailer’s weekly circular.

Option Care emerges as an independent entity

Option Care emerges as an independent entity

Walgreens Infusion Services is now Option Care, an independent company and brand, though Walgreens has retained “significant” minority ownership. Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP), a private equity firm based in Chicago, now owns the lion’s share of the new infusion services provider.

Red Nose Day gets support from Walgreens

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) says it exceeded its initial goal of raising $5 million in support of the Red Nose Day campaign to raise money for children and young people living in poverty. As of Red Nose Day, WBA had raised $7 million, according to Linn Jordan, director of marketing, strategy

NACDS appoints public policy director

Deepti Loharikar, a public health policy expert, has joined the National Association of Chain Drug Stores as director of federal and state public policy. She reports to Kevin Nicholson, vice president of public affairs and regulatory affairs.

Rite Aid plans to rebuild Baltimore store

Rite Aid Corp. is rebuilding its Baltimore drug store that was damaged in April during civil unrest following the death of an African-American resident from injuries sustained during his arrest by police. The Rite Aid store at 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. was one of eight Rite Aid outlets in

First-quarter results portend challenging year

First-quarter results portend challenging year

The fiscal first quarter of 2015 is in the books for many of the largest retailers, and the results tend to bear out the idea that the current year will be one of struggle and uncertainty despite signs that the economy is rebounding from the recession that plagued it so sorely in recent years. The

Gourlay aims to restore Walgreens’ confidence

Gourlay aims to restore Walgreens’ confidence

Most people in this country spent last Christmas Eve away from work, celebrating the holiday with family members and friends. Alex Gourlay, then Walgreens’ president of customer experience and daily living, devoted much of the day to visiting a dozen of the drug chain’s outlets in greater Chicago.