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Issue 08-29-2011

NACDS, NCPA challenge Express Scripts-Medco deal

Citing a potential anticompetitive impact on patients, consumers, the market “and the entire health care delivery system,” the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) have written to the Federal Trade Commission to formally express their op

Court nixes Affordable Care Act provision

A federal appeals panel has struck down the core component of President Obama’s health care overhaul, shifting the question of whether Americans can be required to buy health insurance a step closer to the Supreme Court.

Lo named to oversee Rx at SDM

Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. (SDM) has appointed Dr. Dorian Lo as executive vice president of pharmacy and health care, and in that position he will lead the company’s pharmacy department and health solutions team. Lo’s career spans health care and pharmacy in both Canada and the United States.

New private label line rolled out by Walgreens

Walgreens has unveiled a new value-oriented store brand chainwide. Called Nice!, the brand includes more than 400 grocery and household products at prices up to 30% below those of national brands. The 7,750-store chain plans to have most Nice! products on shelves by early 2012.

Pact on user fees for generics near

The generic drug industry and the Food and Drug Administration have reached tentative agreement to establish a user fee program in which companies would pay as much as $299 million initially to hasten drug approvals and increase the frequency of FDA inspections of foreign drug plants.

Keelor becomes chief merchant at Katz

Retail veteran Ken Keelor has been named chief merchandising officer at Katz Group. In that role, Keelor will oversee all merchandising and marketing functions for the Rexall family of pharmacies.

Industry mourns ECRM’s Bowlus

Charlie Bowlus is being remembered by chain drug and manufacturing executives as much for his disarming warmth and sincerity as for breaking new ground in retailer-supplier relations. Bowlus, founder and chief executive officer of ECRM, died this month of complications from emergency surgery.

In uncertain times, pharmacy’s benefits stand out

As the leaders of community pharmacy gather in Boston for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy and Technology Conference, the profession continues to confront a number of unresolved issues that could have a direct bearing on its ability to provide accessible, affordable patient car