McMillon to be next Walmart CEO
Walmart has named company veteran Doug McMillon to take over as president and chief executive officer after Mike Duke retires at the end of next month. He has also joined Walmart’s board of directors.
News
Infusion services added by CVS
CVS Caremark Corp. is buying Coram LLC from Apria Healthcare Group Inc. The $2.1 billion transaction — CVS Caremark’s largest deal in five years — was announced earlier this month. It will add specialty infusion services to the company’s offering.
New law aims to ensure drug quality, security
Pharmacy organizations have praised last month’s enactment of a federal comprehensive supply chain and compounding law. The Drug Quality and Security Act boosts the Food and Drug Administration’s authority to regulate compounding pharmacies that ship drugs across state lines.
Shopko names McMahon chief executive
Peter McMahon has been named chief executive officer of Shopko Stores Operating Co., replacing interim CEO Michael Bettiga. A 30-year retail veteran, McMahon most recently was chief operating officer of Loblaw Cos., Canada’s leading supermarket operator.
Canadian drug chains lose final appeal in generics case
Canada’s highest court dealt a blow to pharmacy chains earlier this month when it upheld Ontario’s ban on drug stores selling their own brands of private label generic drugs.
Green bent is evident at new Walgreens unit
Walgreen Co. has opened what it says is the nation’s first net-zero energy retail store. Anticipated to produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes, the new store here employs a pair of wind turbines, nearly 850 solar panels and a geothermal system burrowed 550 feet into the ground.
London Drugs shakes up store design
London Drugs opened a novel store here late last month. The company’s 78th unit, the 36,720-square-foot store is London Drugs’ second outlet in Regina and introduces a new open concept area where consumers’ technology needs can be addressed.
SDM augments nutritional supplement offer
Shoppers Drug Mart has revamped its Life Brand line of vitamins and supplements and launched an online tool to help customers find health products.
Bartell tests digital print media kiosk
Bartell Drugs is testing a state-of-the-art system that will let its customers print anything from a personal photo book to a classic novel in just minutes. The full-service digital-to-print media center features On Demand Books’ in-store Espresso Book Machine integrated with Kodak Picture Kiosks.
Bahl joins CVS as an exec VP
CVS Caremark Corp. has named longtime health care industry veteran Tracy Bahl executive vice president of health plans. He will oversee the company’s teams that support its health plan clients and help them navigate the nation’s evolving health care system.
Johns Hopkins, Walgreens ramp up partnership
With the opening of a new store here in collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM), Walgreen Co.
Obama gives ground on health insurance rules
Answering criticism from opponents of the Affordable Care Act and members of his own party, President Obama announced this month that health insurance plans that were canceled because of the ACA can be renewed for another year.
Problems with exchange keep ACA enrollment figures down
With the federal government’s new health care exchange beset by technical problems, the number of health plan enrollees through the first month of operation was far below expectations.