London Drugs, SDM weigh sale of medical marijuana
London Drugs vice president of pharmacy John Tse said the chain is exploring the idea of selling legal marijuana through its 79 pharmacies in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Issues
Anti-drug abuse efforts advance
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is urging the Senate to pass legislation that it says would spur collaboration among health and enforcement authorities for drug abuse solutions “that maintain patients’ legitimate access to medications” while fighting opioid abuse.
Anderson named top trade association CEO
National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson has been selected as the 2016 Trade Association CEO of the Year by an independent panel of association leadership experts.
Diplomat strengthens executive team
Diplomat Pharmacy has announced three promotions within the company’s executive leadership team. Atheer Kaddis has been appointed executive vice president of sales and strategic alignment, a position in which he coordinates Diplomat’s strategies within the business units.
High Court sides with insurer on health data
The Supreme Court has ruled that health insurers do not have to share data, including information about how much they pay for medical claims, with state agencies. The 6-2 decision is seen as a blow to state government efforts to track health care costs within their jurisdictions.
PBM clients at CVS see drop in Rx trend
CVS Health says that prescription drug trend for its pharmacy benefit management clients dropped to 5% in 2015 from a high of 11.8% in 2014. The trend drivers — including brand, specialty and generic price inflation — were similar to what was seen in 2014, but CVS Health asserts that its pharmacy
Pharmasave is in midst of opening seven stores
Pharmasave Ontario Ltd. is continuing its steady expansion. Part of the Pharmasave Drugs National Ltd. cooperative, Pharmasave Ontario plans to open seven new stores in the first quarter. Several other stores are slated for late spring openings.
CDMA reaches new heights at 90th annual trade expo
The Chain Drug Marketing Association’s 90th annual Trade Expo was hailed by participants as one of the organization’s best. “CDMA continues to hit it out of the park,” said Lanny Doud, executive director of QualityCare Pharmacies.
Good Day wins recognition for MTM
Good Day Pharmacy said it had been named best in class by OutcomesMTM, a Cardinal Health company that designs, delivers and administers medication therapy management programs. Good Day Pharmacy is an independently owned pharmacy chain under the Health Mart umbrella.
Experts weigh in on hypertension testing devices
Blood pressure kiosks in retail pharmacies are a key focus of an international effort by hypertension organizations to tighten the regulation of consumer BP devices.
Hampel joins staff at NACDS
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced that Vonnie Hampel has been hired as the association’s new director of federal government affairs. Hampel most recently worked as senior legislative assistant, press secretary and manager of health policy issues for Iowa Democratic Rep.
Rite Aid offers help to visually impaired Rx patients
Rite Aid Corp. has begun making talking prescription devices available to help its pharmacy customers with visual impairments.
Battle to build scale is now a global contest
McKesson Corp.’s agreement to acquire Rexall Health from Katz Group is notable in several respects. The transaction alters the balance of power in the Canadian pharmacy market.
CVS recognized as retail health innovator
Fast Company, one of the more appealing and relevant business publications to have come along in recent years, recently compiled a list of the world’s 50 most innovative companies. Several familiar names were included, perhaps most notably to retail students, CVS Health.
CVS launches first pharmacies within Target stores
CVS Health has debuted its first rebranded pharmacies inside Target Corp. stores. The pharmacies, in six stores in North Carolina, are being operated through a store-within-a-store format under the CVS/pharmacy banner. CVS, which completed its $1.
WBA acquisition of Rite Aid moves step closer to reality
Rite Aid Corp. stockholders voted overwhelmingly this month to approve the company’s $17.2 billion acquisition by Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA). Some 97% of the votes cast at a special meeting of stockholders were in favor of the deal.