CDMA Expo brings retailers, suppliers together
The Chain Drug Marketing Association’s (CDMA’s) 86th Annual Trade Expo here last month attracted a record-breaking number of attendees, the group says.
News
Katz to sell two pharmacy business units to McKesson
Katz Group Canada has agreed to sell its two banner pharmacy businesses, Drug Trading Co. and Medicine Shoppe Canada, to McKesson Corp. in a $920 million (Canadian) cash deal.
Walgreens buys BioScrip’s specialty pharmacy business
Walgreen Co. has agreed to acquire BioScrip Inc.’s specialty pharmacies and centralized specialty and mail-service pharmacy businesses.
CVS Caremark study: Interventions by pharmacists work
Pharmacy Advisor, CVS Caremark Corp.’s integrated pharmacy-based program for diabetes and other chronic diseases, has demonstrably increased medication adherence rates and physician initiation of prescriptions for concomitant medications to improve patient health.
Court ruling on Medi-Cal cuts acclaimed
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and several other health care organizations are hailing a recent decision by a federal court to block California officials from proceeding with a 10% Medi-Cal reimbursement rate cut that had been approved by the
Indianapolis stores revamped by Walgreens
Walgreen Co. president and chief executive officer Greg Wasson was joined by former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, Sen. Richard Lugar (R., Ind.) and community leaders at a ceremony marking the grand reopening of Walgreens’ newly renovated stores in the Indianapolis market.
Rule on Medicaid Rx reimbursement is scrutinized
The federal government’s proposed rule on Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement using the average manufacturer price (AMP) model is being closely examined by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
SDM is ready to roll out some new offerings in March
Shoppers Drug Mart next month plans to launch a cobranded banking account/debit card with Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) that will make it more convenient for Canadians to bank and earn rewards chainwide.
Walgreens helps patients hurt by impasse with PBM
Walgreen Co. says its Prescription Savings Club (PSC) is being welcomed by thousands of patients with prescription drug benefit plans managed by Express Scripts Inc.
CVS launches mobile Rx text notifications
CVS/pharmacy customers can now get text messages notifying them when their prescription is ready for pickup through a new service called Order Ready Text Messaging. Customers can sign up to receive text messages by speaking to a pharmacy staff member at their local CVS store.
Sears sells Rx files from 33 Kmarts to Walgreens
Walgreen Co. is acquiring the prescription files and inventory from 33 Kmart pharmacies in 16 states. The patient files will be transferred to nearby Walgreens pharmacies.
Q&A: Walgreens’ Wasson gives views on battle with PBM
Despite an 11th-hour attempt, Walgreen Co. was unable to come to contract renewal terms with Express Scripts Inc. and the new year began without a deal in place, putting the drug chain out of the pharmacy benefit manager’s network.
Walgreens exudes confidence about future direction
Despite the specter of its standoff with pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts Inc., Walgreen Co. sounded a positive note at its annual shareholders meeting here.
Judge puts stop to cuts in Medi-Cal
A federal judge late last month blocked California’s move to cut Medicaid reimbursements by 10%. U.S.
New CMS data shows Rx spending up just 1.2%
National health care spending increased less than 4% in 2010 for the second year in a row as Americans delayed drug purchases, doctor visits and hospital care, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
CVS Caremark probe is concluded by FTC
The Federal Trade Commission has ended a two-year investigation of CVS Caremark Corp. with no allegations of antitrust violations or anticompetitive behavior.