Health insurance exchanges continue to falter
Problems have continued to plague the rollout of the health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act.
Issue 10-28-2013
ACA emerges intact from federal budget battle
The Affordable Care Act emerged relatively unscathed from the bruising budget battle as Republicans in the House of Representatives buckled and a compromise proposal approved in both the Senate and House was signed by President Obama.
CVS starts customizing circulars for shoppers
CVS/pharmacy has brought the weekly ad circular into the digital age. In leveraging the data yielded by its ExtraCare loyalty card program, the company is now delivering a personalized version, dubbed “myWeekly Ad,” geared to individual shoppers.
Walgreens hones daily living team
Shortly after the arrival of Alex Gourlay to assume his duties as president of Walgreen Co.’s daily living business at the start of the month, he announced adjustments to marketing and merchandising duties designed to simplify and coordinate the retailer’s strategic direction going forward.
California legislation a victory for Rx
California lawmakers have agreed that pharmacists should be considered health care providers, passing legislation earlier this month that authorizes pharmacists to provide additional services. The law, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on October 2, becomes effective on January 1.
Walmart to deploy more small-format stores
Walmart plans to open more small stores than Supercenters in the coming year, company officials told analysts this month.
Kelly becomes chief merchant at Rexall
Rexall Pharma Plus has added two seasoned executives to its management team. Mary Kelly has been named executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at the 436-unit chain, reporting directly to chief executive officer Frank Scorpiniti.
Ritzman buys five Mast Pharmacy stores
Ritzman Pharmacies Inc. has purchased five-store Mast Pharmacy. Ritzman picked up outlets in Sugarcreek, Berlin, Millersburg, Shreve and Wooster, Ohio, giving it a total of 25 full-service pharmacies in northeastern and central Ohio.
Jean Coutu sets stock buyback, dividend
The Jean Coutu Group has announced a share repurchase plan and a special onetime dividend to return as much as $502 million (Canadian) in cash to shareholders. The share repurchase offer covers 22 million Class A subordinate voting shares without par value, at a price of $18.50 per share.
Duane Reade taps Facebook
Duane Reade is conducting a Halloween-themed social media marketing campaign to promote its store brand hosiery products. The “Boo-tiful Legs” contest calls for entrants to upload original photos of themselves wearing Duane Reade brand hosiery via a dedicated Facebook page.
Rebranding of Diplomat reflects its broader scope
Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has rolled out a new brand identity that executives say helps take the company in a new direction.
New study takes look back at last year’s flu season
The 2012-2013 flu season was the most severe in a decade, according to a new study from Walgreen Co. The report also reveals that many people delayed getting flu shots until November or even later, even though vaccine was available as early as August 2012.
Rexall aims to help prevent the flu
Rexall Pharma Plus is once again making it convenient for Canadians to receive flu shots, offering vaccinations at all of its stores. People can get the shots at any Rexall store at any time, with no appointment needed.
Walgreens offers financial services
Walgreen Co. is introducing a suite of financial services called Balance Financial that are integrated with its Balance Rewards customer loyalty card. The program has been designed to provide low-cost financial services to customers, including those without traditional bank accounts.
Dramatic changes energize Walgreens
Not often does change disrupt the orderly nature of things in chain drug retailing to the degree that the recent personnel shifts at Walgreens have altered both the personnel roster at that drug chain and the priorities of the many constituencies with which the retailer interacts.
Pharmacy well-positioned to meet challenges in volatile climate
Recent events illustrate the high stakes involved in getting health care right.