Walgreens operations veteran Foley retires
John Foley, who in his most recent position served as corporate vice president for eastern operations at Walgreen Co., has retired after a 29-year career with the company.
News
Health care spending growth restrained by economy
National health spending last year continued a trend of low growth, according to an analysis from the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The CMS Office of the Actuary estimates that in 2013 U.S. health care spending in the grew at a rate of 3.6% over
NACDS: Republican wave extends to state level
The November midterm elections, which resulted in Republicans taking control of the Senate, also saw “significant Republican gains in state legislatures,” according to an analysis of the results by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
Affordable Care Act moves back into spotlight
Drug chains are doing their part to help people with the Affordable Care Act’s second open enrollment, even as the Supreme Court hears a new challenge that could undermine the law. The court agreed this month to rule on claims that the government should not be able to subsidize health plans for
Pharmacy charts course in wake of midterm elections
As the dust settles around the results of the midterm congressional elections, the legislative outlook that emerges from analyzing the results is one that appears favorable to pharmacy even as several key supporters of the industry were defeated in their bids for reelection.
Rite Aid ups the ante in health care
A flurry of moves this month by Rite Aid Corp. further its growth as a retail health care company. First, Rite Aid unveiled plans to pilot walk-in HealthSpot telehealth stations in the greater Akron/Canton, Cleveland and Dayton/Springfield markets in Ohio.
Walgreens makes big bond offer
Moving another step closer to completing its merger with Alliance Boots GmbH, Walgreen Co. has announced bond offerings in the United States and Europe totaling more than $10 billion. This month, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.
Consumers bullish as holidays near
With the nation’s economy growing at a solid pace and gasoline prices declining, there is growing sentiment among economists that consumer spending is going to pick up momentum.
Free health screening program expanded by CVS
CVS Health is bringing free health screenings to more cities in a major expansion of its Project Health wellness program.
Health Mart to stress Rx quality measures
Health Mart is hosting its second series of town hall meetings, “Pharmacy Quality Measures: Action Steps for Improvement.” The events will be held in 108 cities nationwide through early 2015.
NACDS appoints Rx care manager
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has hired Sara Rubin as manager of pharmacy care. In this position, Rubin will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of NACDS pharmacy care initiatives. She reports to Alex Adams, vice president of pharmacy programs.
Martin retires from Walmart
Yale Martin, senior category director of O-T-C merchandising at Walmart, has retired after 18 years with the company. In that role, Martin led a team of buyers responsible for merchandising over-the-counter products for Walmart’s 5,000 stores in the United States.
Luu joins Diplomat executive team
Martino Luu has been appointed vice president of innovation and process improvement at Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. Luu will work with Diplomat’s business units to carry out evaluations of current processes as well as make recommendations for improvements designed to sharpen efficiency.
Scorpiniti exits Rexall, heads for new post in U.S.
Frank Scorpiniti has stepped down as chief executive officer of Rexall/Katz Group Canada Ltd. Scorpiniti, who formerly headed pharmacy operations at Duane Reade and Longs Drug Stores, will be returning to the United States to pursue an opportunity in the retail industry.
CVS plans tobacco-free Rx networks
A month after removing tobacco products from its stores, CVS Health has confirmed that it’s working toward establishing networks of tobacco-free pharmacies. The move comes as a response to clients of its Caremark pharmacy benefits management business who are interested in this option, CVS reported.
Next up under ACA: Exchanges for small businesses
The Obama administration has piloted a health insurance exchange for small businesses in five states ahead of a rollout for most of the rest of the nation. The new portal opened late last month for small companies in Delaware, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey and Ohio.