CMS policy on Part D is at issue
Pharmacy operators and drug wholesalers say they fear that a new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) policy could prevent certain medications for chronic conditions from being covered by Medicare Part D.
News
Walgreens executive ranks undergo more shifts
Walgreen Co. continues to shuffle its upper management ranks, bringing in new executives and moving others to new roles.
Chain drug sales solid in November
Chain drug retailers posted strong sales gains in November. Overall sales for the trade class advanced 8.3% from results in the prior-year period, while same-store sales increased by 4%. Walgreen Co. was among the drug chains recording solid results for the month.
Drugstore.com has best day ever
Online retailer drugstore.com inc. reported a strong start to its holiday selling season. On Cyber Monday, traditionally the kickoff of the online holiday shopping season, the company reported its highest number of orders ever.
Incidence of swine flu cases abating
The level of flu activity across the nation dropped in November, federal health officials said earlier this month, indicating that the second wave of the swine flu pandemic in the United States has peaked.
Three plan to leave board at Walgreens
Three longtime members of Walgreen Co.’s board of directors will step down next month, including Charles R. (Cork) Walgreen III, the grandson of the company’s founder.
Rogue Web pharmacies draw fire from NACDS
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has submitted a letter to the Food and Drug Administration expressing its concern that rogue Internet pharmacies are engaging in a pattern of illegal activity.
Walgreens enhances its web site
Walgreen Co. has relaunched its web site, adding a variety of healthy living and product resources, expanding the shopping tools and services it offers, and making the site easier to navigate.
Kerr Drug stretches horizons for Rx
Kerr Drug this month took another step to advance pharmacy. The chain opened a store here with a room for pharmacogenomics, the study of how a patient’s genes affect medication efficacy.
Senate leaders unveil health care reform bill
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) introduced a health care reform bill in that chamber earlier this month, setting the stage for a debate there and the eventual merging of the Senate measure with the bill passed in the House on November 7.
Drug chains step up marketing efforts
Drug chains across the country and in Canada are stepping up their promotional efforts this holiday season, offering everything from sophisticated catalogs and in-store flyers to money-saving programs. CVS Caremark Corp.
More expansive role for pharmacy eyed in Canada
“In transition,” “crisis,” “opportunity,” “danger,” “a new paradigm”: Those were the words and phrases that were liberally sprinkled through the remarks of 10 speakers who, in an intense six-hour session, addressed the delegates to the 2009 Innovation In Pharmacy conference here earlier this month.
SDM will target pro-Rx provinces for growth
Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) will seek to expand in British Columbia and other provinces that compensate pharmacies for stepping up their role in the health care system.
Drug import proposal under fire
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has expressed concerns with a proposed amendment to health care legislation because the provision would authorize the importation of prescription drugs. NACDS sent a letter to Rep. Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D., N.Y.
Report sees bright long-term future for in-store clinics
The number of retail health clinics in chain drug stores and other venues grew about 15% in the last two years, according to a report by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. But Deloitte also says retail clinic market growth will slow to as little as 10% from next year through 2012 before
Use of FSAs is facilitated by drugstore.com
Acknowledging the nearly 35 million Americans who have flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to cover their health care expenses, and who run the risk of losing their unused balances if they do not spend the funds by the end of the year, drugstore.