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Rite Aid appoints managed care executive

Wendy Barnes has joined Rite Aid Corp. as group vice president of managed care. The drug store chain said Monday that Barnes comes to the company from Premier Healthcare Alliance, where she served as a pharmacy contracting and new business development director since February 2009.

Jean Coutu sees store network, corporate sales climb in 3Q

Despite the deflationary impact of generic drug price reductions, Jean Coutu Group and its franchised store network turned in solid sales gains for the fiscal 2012 third quarter. The parent company, too, posted improved operating results and net income in the quarter ended Nov.

Poll: Pharmacists are Canada’s most trusted professionals

In Canada, pharmacists are at the top of the list of the most trusted professions, according to a survey by Ipsos Reid. The public opinion and market research firm said this week that nearly eight in 10 Canadians (78%) say they trust pharmacists, scoring them a 5, 6, or 7 on a trust scale

Rite Aid closes out 2011 with largest comp-store gain

Lifted by a calendar day shift, Rite Aid Corp. ended 2011 on a strong note by turning in its biggest comparable-store sales increase for the year. The company said Thursday that for the five weeks ended Dec. 31, same-store sales rose 3.6% versus a year earlier. That topped comp-store gains of

Walgreens ekes out same-store gain in December

Comparable-store sales growth again slowed at Walgreen Co. as the drug chain turned in a narrow increase in December. Walgreens said Thursday same-store sales inched up 0.4% in December, extending a downward monthly growth trend from gains of 1.8% in November, 2.6% in October, 3.

Free weight-loss advice served up by Rite Aid

To encourage New Year’s resolution makers to get healthy and lose weight, Rite Aid Corp. is offering customers expert advice in printed guides, online resources and face-to-face conversations with a Rite Aid pharmacist free during January.

Larry Sabato to address NACDS Annual Meeting

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced that election analyst and University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato will be a keynote speaker at the 2012 NACDS Annual Meeting. NACDS said Wednesday that Sabato will offer remarks during the event’s business program on Sunday, April 22.

Shopko Stores to absorb Pamida chain in merger

Shopko Stores to absorb Pamida chain in merger

Shopko Stores and Pamida plan to merge, which will create a chain drug retailer with nearly 300 pharmacy locations in more than 20 states. The two general merchandise retailers — both owned by affiliates of private equity firm Sun Capital Partners — said Wednesday that they expect the

APhA: States could make MTM an ‘essential health benefit’

The move by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to let states set their own definitions of "essential health benefits" covered by plans in upcoming health insurance exchanges spells opportunity for pharmacists, according to the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).

Sam’s Club helps track health vitals, curb smoking

This month, Sam’s Club plans to offer an array of free health screenings and smoking cessation consultations as people get under way with their New Year’s resolutions. The Walmart warehouse club chain, which has more than 500 pharmacies, said that on Jan.