Back-to-school shoppers look to spend more, poll finds
Almost half of consumers plan to spend more this back-to-school shopping season than they did in 2011, according to a poll by PriceGrabber.
Retail News
Analyst: PBMs see little uptake on narrow networks
Leading pharmacy benefit managers report that client interest in narrow pharmacy networks has picked up, but so far few have been willing to proceed. In presentations at William Blair & Co.’s 32nd Annual Growth Stock Conference here last week, Express Scripts Inc. and CVS Caremark Corp.
Walgreens exec: Private label not just matter of cost
The role of private brands has changed, requiring a more sophisticated approach in developing them, according to Laura Sturdevant, director of product development for private brands at Walgreen Co.
NACDS urges expanded PDUFA provisions
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has called on congressional leaders to expand provisions in the final bill for the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) that would maintain levels of patient care while curbing prescription drug abuse.
Walgreens: Pharmacists boost diabetes patient Rx adherence
Diabetes patients receiving injectable drugs are more likely to adhere to their medication regimens with pharmacist-led training and counseling, a new Walgreen Co. study found.
Rite Aid, CVS join in legal wrangle over Effexor generics
Months after other pharmacy retailers took legal action, Rite Aid Corp. and CVS Caremark Corp. are suing Pfizer Inc. for allegedly conspiring with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. to delay the release of generic versions of the antidepressant Effexor XR.
ShopRite serves up free vitamins
Food and drug retailer ShopRite has begun offering free prenatal vitamins at its pharmacy locations. The retailer-owned supermarket cooperative, part of Wakefern Food Corp.
Ontario pharmacists eye wider scope of practice
With pharmacists in Canada slated to expand their scope of practice under health reform, the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association (OPA) aims to have immunization and injection in all pharmacies in the province by the end of 2013.
MinuteClinic partners with central Florida health group
MinuteClinic has entered a clinical collaboration with Florida Hospital Medical Group to provide expanded access to health care services in central Florida.
Shoppers Drug Mart creates web portal for physicians
Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. has launched the Shoppers Health Care Portal, a website that gives Canadian health care professionals access to drug reimbursement information and clinical tools.
CVS joins Outcomes MTM network
CVS/pharmacy has agreed to become part of the Outcomes Inc. national medication therapy management (MTM) network. Outcomes said Wednesday that under the arrangement, CVS/pharmacy’s approximately 7,300 drug store locations will be added to Outcomes’ network of MTM Centers.
NABP applies for .pharmacy web domain
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has applied to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to own and operate the new .pharmacy generic top-level domain (gTLD).
Analysis: Merlo unlocks CVS Caremark’s potential
Larry Merlo’s initial year as chief executive officer of CVS Caremark Corp. has been a remarkable one, indeed. Not that you’d notice if you confined your examination, analysis and interpretation to the CVS drug store chain.
NACDS hires federal government affairs VP
Thomas O’Donnell is slated to join the National Association of Chain Drug Stores as vice president of federal government affairs. NACDS said Thursday that O’Donnell will start in the post on July 9 and will report to Carol Kelly, senior vice president of government affairs and public policy.
Walmart tests talking prescription system
Walmart is piloting a talking prescription system that gives vision-impaired people who can’t read standard print an easy way to access the information on their medications.
Rite Aid sees comp-store sales uptick in May
Comparable-store sales at Rite Aid Corp. edged up in May but grew more slowly than in recent months. Rite Aid said Thursday that for the five weeks ended June 2, same-store sales increased 1.1% year over year, marking the drug chain’s smallest monthly gain so far this calendar year. Comp-store sales