Drug stores see decline in customer satisfaction
Customer satisfaction with drug stores fell last year as part of an overall decline among retailers, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).
Retail News
Diplomat promotes pair of executives
Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. has promoted Atheer Kaddis to executive vice president and Lance Neill to senior vice president.
CVS sees drop in PBM prescription drug trend
CVS Health reported a significant decrease in the prescription drug trend for its Caremark pharmacy benefit management (PBM) clients last year. CVS said Tuesday that the prescription trend, a growth measure of prescription spending, came in at 5% for 2015, down from a high of 11.8% in 2014.
Retailers recognized by UnitedHealthcare for Rx adherence
Kroger Co., Target Corp., Giant Eagle, Meijer and Wegmans Food Markets Inc. were winners in UnitedHealthcare’s 2015 Targeted Intervention Program (TIP) Challenge, aimed at improving medication adherence.
Anderson named trade group CEO of the year
Steve Anderson, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, has been honored as the 2016 Trade Association CEO of the Year by an independent panel of association leadership experts.
Naloxone dispensed without Rx at Walgreens in Ohio, Indiana
Following up on plans announced earlier this month, Walgreens has made the overdose antidote naloxone available without a prescription at all of its pharmacies in Ohio and Indiana.
Pharmasave plans new Ontario locations
Pharmasave Ontario Ltd. is fueling its steady expansion with new store openings early this year. Part of the Pharmasave Drugs National Ltd.
NACDS aims to boost pharmacy immunizations
A request-for-proposals (RFP) by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores will offer up to two awards of $300,000 each for demonstration projects that increase pharmacy-based immunizations by spurring collaboration across health care providers.
Rite Aid offers talking Rx devices to visually impaired
Rite Aid pharmacies have begun providing talking prescription devices to help customers with visual impairments. The drug chain said Thursday that the devices, available at all of its approximately 4,600 stors, will be offered free upon request to customers who are blind or visually impaired.
CVS’ tobacco decision making an impact, smoker poll shows
A survey of cigarette smokers shows that CVS Health’s removal of tobacco products from its stores is working as planned. Electronic cigarette maker V2 said Thursday that last week it polled 300 cigarette smokers nationwide, all of whom had previously purchased cigarettes from a CVS store.
Walmart earnings decline for 4Q, full year
Walmart reported decreased net earnings for its fiscal 2016 fourth quarter and full year, with adjusted earnings per share above Wall Street’s consensus forecast. The retail giant said Thursday that for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31., net income fell 7.9% to $4.57 billion, or $1.
Regional drug chains look to build on strengths
Stakeholders in chain pharmacy understandably direct a lot of attention to the giants of the industry, such companies as CVS Health, Walgreens Boots Alliance, McKesson and Kroger.
Diplomat promotes Urick to senior VP
Paul Urick has been promoted to senior vice president of industry relations for pharmaceutical account management and payer strategies at Diplomat Pharmacy Inc.
More work needed on preferred pharmacy access
Though the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has improved Medicare Part D patient access to preferred pharmacies, more work needs to be done, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association.
Cardinal Health bullish on medication synchronization
Cardinal Health Inc. said its new medication synchronization program, MedSync Advantage, offers manifold benefits for community pharmacies in terms of patient care and efficiency.
NRF forecasts retail sales uptick for 2016
Economists at the National Retail Federation (NRF) predict retail industry sales this year will exceed their 10-year average as the economy continues to grow and consumers show more willingness to spend. The federation forecasts sales will rise 3.1% in 2016, topping the 2.