Spending on health care rises 4%
Health care spending in the United States increased by 4% in 2009, the slowest rate of growth in 50 years, a government report released this month shows.
News
2011 Retail Forecast: Drug chains ready for change
With 2011 now here, chain drug retailers across North America are encountering many of the same challenges that they did a year ago. Executives at U.S. and Canadian drug store chains said that as the new year rolls forward, they expect to see more signs that an economic recovery is under way
Pharmacy Outlook 2011: Health care system in flux
As health care reform gets deeper into the implementation phase, pharmacy advocates have mixed feelings about how the new dynamics will impact community pharmacies and the companies that supply them.
Kerr pharmacy management team honored
Because of a dedication to health care that is unmatched by almost any other retailer in North America, the pharmacy management team at Kerr Drug has been chosen by the editors of Chain Drug Review as the collective recipients of this year’s Chain Drug Pharmacy Executives of the Year award for 2010.
Super-Pharm recognized as best global drug chain
Super-Pharm, Israel’s largest, and the world’s most internationally focused, drug chain, is Chain Drug Review’s Global Chain Drug Retailer of the Year for 2010. Many factors justify this selection.
Merchant of the Year is Pharmaca’s Panzer
Mark Panzer, president and chief executive officer of Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, has been named Chain Drug Review’s Merchant of the Year for 2010.
Late surge lifts chain drug holiday sales
A last-minute shopping surge turned a disappointing holiday selling season into an acceptable one for America’s chain drug retailers, as customers crowded into the nation’s chain drug stores during the three days before Christmas to buy many of the holiday items they had repeatedly deferred or postp
CVS eyes options following Mullany ruling
It appears unlikely that Hank Mullany will join CVS/pharmacy. In the wake of a decision by a Delaware judge to prevent, at least temporarily, the former Walmart executive from becoming president of the drug chain, sources close to parent company CVS Caremark Corp.
Cardinal, Walgreens extends distribution deal
Cardinal Health Inc. has announced the early renewal of its distribution agreement with Walgreen Co. to supply pharmaceuticals to its more than 7,600 retail pharmacies across the country. The new agreement extends into 2013. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Medicaid cuts weighed by Washington state
Adults receiving prescription coverage under Washington state’s Medicaid program could lose that benefit if lawmakers do not find a way to trim the state’s budget shortfall when they reconvene later this month. Facing a $1.1 billion deficit, Washington Gov.
Walgreens, HHS target flu
Walgreen Co. and the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) have joined forces to provide flu vaccinations to hundreds of thousands of people who may not otherwise be able to afford them.
Lewis Drugs breaks mold of ‘cookie-cutter drug stores’
Lewis Drugs has debuted its “store of the future” here, a 40,000-square-foot unit with an upscale decor, diverse consumables and general merchandise, and even a climate-controlled Four Seasons garden wing with a retractable roof.
Courts divided over constitutionality of health reform law
Last month’s ruling by a federal judge in Virginia that part of the health care reform law is unconstitutional and hints from another judge in Florida that he may issue a similar decision have set the stage for a long legal battle. The ruling by Judge Henry Hudson of Federal District Court
Pharmasave’s Paish: Rx needs to stand up
A relative newcomer to the community pharmacy world has challenged the industry to take a different tack in addressing the issues confronting it.
More chains join UnitedHealthcare Rx network
The UnitedHealthcare segment of UnitedHealth Group has added five retail chains to its program that provides Medicare Part D beneficiaries enrolled in the company’s plan with savings on the prescriptions they fill at the chains’ pharmacies. Executives say the addition of Target Corp.; H.E.
Tyler to lead McKesson Pharmaceutical unit
McKesson Corp. has appointed Brian Tyler as president of its McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical unit. Tyler, who had been president of McKesson’s medical-surgical division, succeeds John Figueroa, who has accepted the position of chief executive officer of Omnicare Inc.