MinuteClinic affiliates with Indiana health system
MinuteClinic has entered a clinical collaboration with Indiana University Health (IU Health), the largest health system in Indiana. The CVS Caremark Corp.
Retail News
APhA, dental groups take aim at dry mouth
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has teamed up with leading dental organizations to expand public awareness of medication-induced dry mouth.
Target set to launch flu vaccination effort
Discounter Target Corp. next week plans make flu shots available at more than 1,650 Target Pharmacy and Target Clinic locations nationwide. The mass merchandise chain said Thursday that, starting Aug.
CVS rolls out Salma Hayek beauty collection
CVS/pharmacy has introduced Nuance Salma Hayek, an exclusive line of cosmetics and skin care, hair care and body care products co-developed with actress Salma Hayek.
Pharmacy sales climb in 2Q at BioScrip
BioScrip Inc. reported a robust gain in pharmacy services revenue for its 2011 second quarter. BioScrip said Monday that for the second quarter ended June 30, pharmacy services sales rose 8.7% to $332.1 million from $305.4 million a year earlier.
In Illinois, coalition takes aim at Rx reimbursement cuts
Pharmacy Choice and Access Now (PCAN), a coalition of pharmacists, consumers and local businesses, has set up shop in Illinois as the state mulls cuts to Medicaid pharmacy reimbursements.
Sam’s Club plans free eye health screenings
As part of its focus on preventive health care, Sam’s Club this weekend plans to offer free vision screenings. The Walmart warehouse club subsidiary said the screenings will be available on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at locations that have pharmacy and/or optical centers.
Katz Group names chief merchant for Rexall
Katz Group Canada Ltd. has named Ken Keelor as chief merchandising officer for its Rexall drug chain. The Canadian drug store operator said Monday that Keelor starts in the post effective immediately.
Walgreens kicks off flu shot program
Walgreen Co. has launched its annual flu vaccination program chainwide, billing itself as "America’s most trusted retail health care destination for flu shots.
Rite Aid appoints new communications chief
Susan Henderson has been named as senior vice president and chief communications officer at Rite Aid Corp. The drug store chain said Monday that Henderson succeeds Karen Rugen, who retired from the company last month.
NABP prescription monitoring platform goes live
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s platform to link state prescription monitoring programs (PMPs), the NABP PMP InterConnect, is now fully operational, providing a state-to-state tool for reducing prescription drug abuse and "doctor shopping.
Pharmacy groups challenge planned Medicaid cuts in Supreme Court brief
This fall, the U.S. Supreme Court is slated to hear a case examining the right of pharmacies and other health care providers to challenge state cuts to Medicaid on the basis that they violate federal requirements for "sufficient" patient access to health care.
MTM board issues medication review definition
The National MTM Advisory Board has released its definition of a key pharmacist professional service, the Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR).
Medi-Cal cuts bring coalition to Capitol Hill
The Alliance for Patient Care (APC), a coalition of health care providers, including pharmacists, has gone to the nation’s capital to urge the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Congress to reject proposed reductions to Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program.
NACDS, NCPA protest Express Scripts-Medco merger
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association have made their opposition to the proposed merger of Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions official.
CVS sees modest retail drug store sales gain in 2Q
Revenue rose by double digits in the second quarter at CVS Caremark Corp., despite only slight gains in overall sales and same-store sales by the retail pharmacy segment. On the earnings front, CVS Caremark saw a dip in net income from continuing operations in the quarter.