Cardinal CEO: Time to act on ‘fiscal cliff’
Cardinal Health Inc. chairman and chief executive officer George Barrett is the latest pharmacy industry executive to urge policymakers to come to an accord on the so-called "fiscal cliff.
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Report: CVS eyes purchase of Brazil drug chain
CVS Caremark Corp. reportedly is mulling a move to go international. The Woonsocket, R.I.-based drug chain and pharmacy benefit manager is in advanced talks to acquire a controlling interest in Onofre, a chain drug operator in Brazil, the newspaper Valor Economico reported Friday.
Walgreens closes deal for cystic fibrosis specialty pharmacy
Walgreen Co. and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation have finalized a transaction that gives the drug chain a significant ownership stake in Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Pharmacy LLC, a newly formed specialty pharmacy for the disease. Terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.
Surescripts, Rite Aid partner on EHR delivery
Rite Aid Corp. plans to leverage the Surescripts Network for Clinical Interoperability to electronically deliver patient immunization notifications directly to health care providers.
Navarro’s 32nd store opens its doors
Navarro Discount Pharmacy has opened its 32nd store, located in Kendall, Fla. The Hispanic-owned drug chain said Thursday that the 23,500-square-foot store, on S.W.
Rite Aid feels Sandy’s effect on November sales
Rite Aid Corp. saw same-store sales decrease in November as Hurricane Sandy and new generic drugs impacted front-end and prescription sales. The drug chain said Thursday that for the five weeks ended Dec. 1, comparable-store sales fell 3% year over year. That was down from a 1.
CVS serves up more mobile functionality
CVS/pharmacy has added a series of new tools and enhancements to its mobile application and mobile website for pharmacy patients and shoppers.
Rite Aid debuts fitness equipment line
Expanding on its wellness offerings, Rite Aid Corp. is rolling out fitness expert Denise Austin’s new line of home fitness products, Forever Fit, at its stores.
Walgreens’ November sales impacted by generics
Generic drug introductions continued to undercut same-store sales results at Walgreen Co. in November. Walgreens said Wednesday that comparable-store sales fell 6.2% in November, down from a 5.9% decrease in October.
RxAlly tabs Chater to lead clinical services
Rebecca Chater has joined pharmacy alliance RxAlly as vice president of health outcomes. Rebecca Chater RxAlly said Tuesday that in the role, Chater will provide leadership and clinical management of RxAlly solutions, as well as integrating business development with clinical staff and operations.
Pharmacists get high marks in terms of integrity
Americans continue to rate pharmacists highly on the scales of honesty and ethics, according to Gallup’s annual survey of professional integrity. Of 1,015 U.S. adults polled, 75% rated pharmacists "very high" or "high" in terms of honesty and ethics. That put pharmacists at No.
CVS, MinuteClinic, ex-NFL players promote flu vaccinations
CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic are partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the NFL Retired Players Association to boost awareness about the importance of getting a flu shot annually. NFL Hall of Famer Carl Eller got a flu vaccine at a CVS drug store in Minneapolis.
Rite Aid cuts price of flu shots
Rite Aid Corp. is offering discounted flu shots in recognition of National Influenza Vaccination Week. The drug chain said Monday that through Dec. 15, flu vaccines will be available at all Rite Aid pharmacies at a reduced price of $24.99, subject to state regulations.
Jean Coutu Group buys stake in orthotics seller
Jean Coutu Group plans to acquire a 50% stake in Le Groupe Médicus Inc., a provider of orthotic and prosthetic devices. Financial terms of the deal, announced Friday, weren’t disclosed.
Longtime Safeway CEO Burd to retire
Steve Burd, chairman and chief executive officer of Safeway Inc., plans to retire as CEO and a board director in May. The food and drug retailer said late Wednesday that Burd, who has served as its CEO for 20 years, will officially retire at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on May 14.
Bartell Drugs hires CFO
Rob Jensen has joined Bartell Drugs as chief financial officer. The Puget Sound-area drug chain said late Thursday that Jensen previously was senior vice president and CFO at Car Toys, a Seattle-based retailer of mobile entertainment, performance accessories and wireless phones.