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Issue 06-17-2013

Survey: Retail pharmacy can help empower patients

A new survey has reinforced the potential of pharmacists to play a key role in consumer-driven health care. The 2013 Aflac WorkForces Report reveals Americans’ lack confidence in their ability to play an active part in consumer-driven care.

Commonsense reform for PBMs

large and small — might lack leverage in contractual negotiations with pharmacy benefit managers, but the actual leverage pharmacies have is to expose systematic inequities and their effect on every other stakeholder.

House passes pharmaceutical tracking bill

A federal system to track and trace prescription drugs moved a step closer to becoming reality earlier this month when the House of Representatives approved the Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act of 2013.

USA Drug’s LaFrance dies

Stephen LaFrance Sr., who built a regional drug store powerhouse with USA Drug, died earlier this month. He was 71. LaFrance started USA Drug in 1968 when he opened a single store here. Eventually the drug chain would include nearly 200 stores in six states, operating under a variety of banners.

Jean Coutu makes plans to move headquarters

The Jean Coutu Group says it will relocate its headquarters and distribution center in Longueuil, Quebec, to larger facilities that will be built in Varennes. The Canadian drug chain said construction of the Varennes facilities, which will total 800,000 square feet, is slated to start in 2014.

Rite Aid refinances debt, forecasts profit

Rite Aid Corp. plans to refinance $500 million in debt and, in tandem with the transaction, is projecting net earnings for its fiscal 2014 first quarter, which would mark the drug chain’s third consecutive profitable quarter. Rite Aid has commenced a cash tender offer for its $500 million of 7.

Welcome Narveson, welcome back Lafley

or reemerged — on the chain drug scene this spring, each bringing a sense of excitement and innovation to an industry suddenly in need of both. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of their emergence is that each is a throwback to an earlier time, a period when innovation and