The area where independents have an edge
One of the most interesting phenomena in retail pharmacy is the continued vitality of independent drug stores.
Opinion
An exceptional Annual Meeting unfolds
for a variety of reasons not connected to the program or the current issues facing the association or the chain drug industry. More specifically: • The 2011 NACDS Annual Meeting marks the last
New climate in Washington will test pharmacy
Once again a fellow named Ryan is shaking up the retail pharmacy business. With his proposed federal spending plan for fiscal 2012, Rep. Paul Ryan (R., Wis.
National and store brands learn how to coexist
Even before the current recession, consumers began to put pressure on national brand manufacturers by positioning store brand products as the value alternative to branded products. It is well documented that consumers are now more accepting of less expensive quality alternatives to national brands.
Walgreens, CVS are taking divergent paths
In the immediate aftermath of Walgreens’ announced purchase of drugstore.com, the burning questions of the moment in mass retailing are these: Is a drug store a retail outlet or a health care provider? Or can it be both? Clearly, Walgreens is buying drugstore.
CVS Caremark aims to heighten impact on Rx
When Larry Merlo became chief executive officer of CVS Caremark Corp. last month he made it clear that his top priority is to realize the full potential of the integrated pharmacy care model that has decisively shaped the evolution of the company in recent years.
Walgreens’ uniting of Magnacca, Pugh a brilliant stroke
In a stunning announcement out of Deerfield, Ill., earlier this month Walgreen Co.
Retail/PBM Rx model still holds promise
Walgreens’ decision to sell its pharmacy benefits management business to Catalyst Health Solutions for $525 million is sure to intensify the debate about whether drug chains are well served by owning and operating such entities. For Walgreens, at least, the answer is clearly no.
Ryan ends transformative tenure at CVS
when, at age 42, he became only the third CEO in the history of a retailer that began business as a
New kind of chairman coming to NACDS
Come April, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores will put in place the first chairman in its 78-year history who has not come from the chain drug store industry. The NACDS chairman-in-waiting is Bob Loeffler. He is primarily a food retailer, having spent his retailing career with H.E.
NACDS chief points to avenues for Medicaid savings
The cost of Medicaid can be cut with benefit modification, more effective care management and more efficient drug purchasing.
Small chains stand out at CDMA Expo
Overlooked amid the cacophony of meetings planned, meetings scheduled, meetings held and meetings evaluated was a relatively quiet event late last month in Orlando, Fla. The meeting in question was the annual trade expo hosted by the Chain Drug Marketing Association.
Health care reform dogged by uncertainty
Business executives don’t like uncertainty, but it’s a condition retail pharmacy operators and others involved in health care delivery will have to learn to live with for the foreseeable future.
Some things to watch for as the year unfolds
or not — to happen in the chain drug retailing arena in 2011. • The National Association of Chain Drug Stores will finally begin to address some of the issues that have kept the organization from realizing its potential to fully dominate the retail trade association arena. As a
A young shopper eyes the nail care set
Aside from the necessary toiletry items, when most teenage girls go into the beauty isle of a store they are usually looking for nail polish.