Retail pharmacy starts to assert itself
The most significant development in chain drug retailing this year has been its willingness, finally, to begin to unleash the power of the pharmacist and the pharmacy that supports him.
Issue 11-09-2009
Store experience reimagined by Duane Reade
Duane Reade, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2010, is a fixture on the retail scene in New York City.
CVS Caremark finishes the assimilation of Longs
CVS Caremark Corp. has completed the conversion of nearly 500 Longs Drug Stores in California, Nevada and Arizona to the CVS banner and format. CVS executives marked the occasion recently at an outlet in Monterey, Calif., showing off the changes consumers will see in the revamped store.
Ryan: CVS’ PBM business has to produce better results
Despite record third quarter sales and profits, CVS Caremark Corp. forecast disappointing results for its pharmacy benefits management business next year, based on the loss of a net of $4.8 billion in contracts.
At Duane Reade, it’s about value, choice
Duane Reade Inc.’s new store in Herald Square in Manhattan has less and more. The two-story 14,000-square-foot unit has fewer SKUs than Duane Reade has traditionally offered but more variety, most notably in the prestige beauty category.
NACDS weighs in on House health bill
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has praised House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) for supporting community pharmacy’s concerns in the health care reform bill that was expected to be passed by the House earlier this month.
Health care reform pace in question
A health care reform bill may not make its way out of Congress and onto President Barack Obama’s desk until early next year, lawmakers said earlier this month. “We’re not going to be bound by any timelines,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said earlier this month. “We need to do the best job
Value Drug names ex-Rite Aid executive president
Former Rite Aid Corp. executive Greg Drew has become president of the regional drug wholesaler Value Drug Co.
Aurora agrees to sell food store pharmacies
Aurora Pharmacy is exiting the supermarket prescription drug business. The company this month said it has agreed to sell 30 pharmacies, mostly in-store locations, to Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc. and Walgreen Co. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Vaccine shortages hinder fight against flu
The nation is facing a severe shortage of seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines, a situation that many federal and independent health officials agree was unavoidable because the global swine flu pandemic has heightened demand for all flu immunizations well beyond the production capabilities of vaccine manu
Webinars ready industry for CPSIA
With the deadline for the certification requirements of last year’s Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) set to go into effect early next year, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is holding a series of online educational forums to help suppliers and retailers prepare for the n
Rite Aid refinances portion of debt
Rite Aid Corp. has completed a plan to refinance debt maturing in September 2010.