Walmart ponders next steps in health care delivery
Walmart has set its sights on increasing its role in the U.S. health care system and is exploring the possibility of offering a wider range of services.
Issue 11-21-2011
Walgreens tests loyalty program
One of the missing pieces for Walgreen Co. in its transformation into a “health and daily living” retailer has been a customer loyalty program. But that won’t be for much longer. Company executives recently provided some details about the shopper loyalty program that the drug store chain is testing.
Pharmacy groups blast Medi-Cal cuts
Pharmacy advocates have condemned the federal government’s approval of reimbursement cuts to the profession in Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program.
Appeals court OKs health care reform law
A federal appeals court earlier this month ruled that Congress did not overstep its authority by requiring people to have health insurance or pay a penalty on their taxes beginning in 2014, as called for under a core provision of the Obama administration’s health care reform law.
Outlook for Canadian pharmacies eyed
Attendees at the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores’ Canadian Drugstore Conference, held here late last month, were cautioned to expect continued volatile markets for another year or two. After that, speakers at the event said, the market would likely become more predictable.
CACDS appoints new chairman
Sandra Aylward, vice president of professional and regulatory affairs for Lawtons Drugs and Sobeys Pharmacy Group, has been named chairman of the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS).
CMS’ proposed FULs for Medicaid draw fire
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has challenged the proposed federal upper limit (FUL) list for pharmacy reimbursements from Medicaid.
CVS adds to Rx adherence program
CVS Caremark Corp. has launched Pharmacy Advisor for chronic cardiovascular care, a pharmacy-based approach to managing one of the most prevalent and expensive chronic illnesses.
NACDS backs bill to spur generics use in Medicaid
Legislation that would provide states with incentives for using generic medications through the Medicaid program has been endorsed by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. The bill, the Affordable Medicines Utilization Act of 2011, was introduced by Rep. Charles Bass (R., N.H.).
Coalition seeks level playing field for sales taxes
Seventy state and national trade associations and more than 60 companies have petitioned the “super committee” that is exploring ways to trim the federal deficit to clear the way for states to start collecting sales tax on Internet and catalog purchases.
Physicians are gravitating to e-scripts
More than half (52%) of the nation’s office-based doctors (291,000 physicians) now use electronic prescribing, and 94% of retail pharmacies nationwide are now connected and receiving electronic prescriptions, according to Surescripts.
Does your diabetes care section measure up?
that could be one out of every three shoppers in your store. Today the
A year of big changes in chain drug industry
This has been a stunning year for chain drug retailing, a period punctuated by dramatic changes in both direction and personnel.
Rx has means to counter budget cutters
Retail pharmacy operators continue to find themselves on the firing line as government officials work to rein in health care spending and address worrisome long-term budget deficits. Medicaid, the federal/state program that provides health care for the indigent, is a case in point.