Project Health gets under way at CVS
CVS/pharmacy has launched its annual Project Health wellness campaign, in which it vows to deliver more than $15 million worth of free health screenings to multicultural communities across the United States.
News
Magnacca exits Walgreens for RadioShack
A week after being promoted by Walgreen Co., Joe Magnacca left the company to become chief executive officer at RadioShack Corp. On February 1, the 50-year-old Magnacca was promoted from senior vice president to executive vice president of Walgreens.
CVS establishes global outpost in Brazil
CVS Caremark Corp. has acquired the Brazilian drug chain Drogaria Onofre. Announced by president and chief executive officer Larry Merlo during a February 6 conference call on the company’s strong fourth quarter results, the acquisition marks CVS’ first venture outside of the United States.
In Hagan, pharmacy has strong ally on Capitol Hill
Kay Hagan understands what community pharmacy can do.
Patients give high marks to pharmacy staff
In recent years the role of the pharmacist has evolved and assumed greater importance in the country’s health care system. In community pharmacy increasing emphasis has been placed on the expertise of the pharmacist in guiding patients in their use of prescription medications.
Adherence up at Thrifty White
Thrifty White Pharmacy’s Medication Synchronization (Med Sync) program has significantly boosted adherence, a new study shows. Patients enrolled in Med Sync were 3.4 to 6.1 times more likely to adhere to prescriptions than a control group, the Virginia Commonwealth University study found.
Loyalty, pharmacy programs bolstered by CVS
CVS Caremark Corp. recently enhanced two pharmacy-related programs. One expands CVS/pharmacy’s ExtraCare loyalty card plan with the launch of ExtraCare Pharmacy & Health Rewards.
Appeals court asked to review Medi-Cal ruling
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and seven other health care groups have asked a federal appeals court to review its decision to allow California to reduce its Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.
Duane Reade melds physical, virtual worlds
In the latest effort to increase its customer engagement, Duane Reade has integrated its stores into the mobile game Ingress. The 250-store drug chain that is part of Walgreen Co. is one of the first retail partners in the New York market for the game that blends the physical and virtual world.
Driscoll becomes exec VP, CFO at Katz
The Katz Group has appointed Sharon Driscoll executive vice president and chief financial officer. The former Sears Canada Inc. and Loblaw Cos. executive joins the company that operates the Rexall and Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacy chains in Canada after more than a quarter century working in finance.
Expanded role for Rx is sought
With the nation’s health care system on the verge of a new era, advocates for community pharmacy are urging federal officials to ensure that community pharmacists play a greater role going forward.
Regional drug chains find new ways to stay in game
Regional drug chains that fill the right niche can not only survive, but thrive. That is the message of successful small players across the country, many of whom are now gathered here for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Regional Chain Conference.
Severe flu season puts retail pharmacies to the test
With the number of influenza cases reaching epidemic levels in many parts of the country, drug chains across the nation have been working to keep their stores supplied with flu vaccine to meet the surging demand for vaccinations. For example, Walgreen Co., CVS/pharmacy and Rite Aid Corp.
CVS adjusts its merchandising team
Cheryl Mahoney has been named vice president of retail merchandising and promotion and business development at CVS/pharmacy. She is now responsible for maximizing the impact and profitability of the retailer’s promotional efforts across all front-end categories.
Costco puts ‘next generation’ PBM in spotlight
Costco Wholesale Corp. is raising the profile of its in-house pharmacy benefits manager, Costco Health Solutions, with a new offering to businesses, including non-Costco members.
Two from industry’s halcyon days remembered
Two members of the chain drug industry passed away on the same day in January. Each was very different from the other, yet they were tied together by virtue of their intimate participation in the halcyon years of chain drug retailing. Glenn Kraiss died on January 18 at age 79.