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Issue 08-10-2015

Rising health care costs still a challenge

Rising health care costs still a challenge

Total U.S. health care spending growth is expected to average 5.8% in aggregate over the 2014-2024 period, according to a report published in Health Affairs and written by members of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of the Actuary.

Everett named exec VP of operations at Rite Aid

Everett named exec VP of operations at Rite Aid

Rite Aid Corp. has announced the appointment of Bryan Everett as executive vice president of store operations, effective August 3. He is one of three recent additions to the company’s executive ranks. Everett’s appointment was announced in late June.

Rx seeks a bigger role in Medicaid, Medicare

Medicare and Medicaid recently passed the half-century mark, and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores envisions an enhanced role for pharmacists in both programs, particularly Medicaid. Congress, too, is looking for opportunities to strengthen and sustain Medicaid.

Diplomat steps to the fore in specialty Rx

Diplomat steps to the fore in specialty Rx

Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. is a growing company in a quickly growing industry. The specialty pharmacy provider has made the most of its independence, says chairman and chief executive officer Phil Hagerman, and continues to do so after last year’s initial public offering.

Rite Aid opens first HealthSpot stations

One of the nation’s leading retail drug chains has teamed up with a pioneer in patient- and provider-driven health care technology. Last month, Rite Aid Corp. and HealthSpot announced the opening of HealthSpot stations in 25 Rite Aid pharmacies in Ohio.

Berkowitz steps down at WBA

Jeff Berkowitz, president of Pharma and Global Market Access at Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., has left the company. Berkowitz also was a WBA executive vice president.

Jack Futterman dies at age 82

Jack Futterman, who during the 1990s served as chairman and chief executive officer of Pathmark Stores Inc. and also a term as chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, has died at age 82.

IPO in the works at Albertsons

Albertsons Cos., the nation’s second-largest supermarket company and one of the biggest retail pharmacy operators, plans to go public. The company filed a registration statement last month with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of common stock.

Consolidation hits health insurance industry

Chain drug retailers have gotten used to dealing with fewer, and larger, drug makers, wholesalers and pharmacy benefit managers over the years. Retailers themselves have also consolidated, and now a merger wave has washed over the health insurance industry.

Medicine Take-Back Campaign under way in Canada

Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) and the Partnership for a Drug-Free Canada (PDFC) are collaborating on the third National Medicine Take-Back Campaign, to be held through December 2015, and a new partnership with Loblaw Pharmacy will increase the number of pharmacies participating in the campaign to 1,800 n