Cardinal Health to buy Healthcare Solutions Holding
In a move to expand its specialty pharmaceutical services, Cardinal Health Inc. has agreed to acquire Healthcare Solutions Holding LLC in a $517 million cash deal.
Retail News
Take Care to run work-site pharmacy at submarine builder
Walgreen Co.’s Take Care Health Systems subsidiary is managing a work-site pharmacy opened at General Dynamics Electric Boat, a maker of submarines for the U.S. Navy. The new pharmacy, located at Electric Boat’s headquarters and shipyard in Groton, Conn.
Former Duane Reade CEO Cuti convicted of fraud
Anthony Cuti, former chief executive officer of metropolitan New York drug chain Duane Reade, has been convicted in federal court of securities fraud and other charges, according to published reports.
CVS Caremark to cut Walgreens from PBM network
CVS Caremark Corp. plans to terminate Walgreen Co.’s participation in its pharmacy benefit management unit’s retail network in 30 days. In addition, CVS Caremark said Wednesday that it will terminate Walgreens’ participation in its Medicare Part D retail pharmacy networks effective Jan. 1, 2011.
Pharmacy groups call on Senate to extend FMAP hike
Five pharmacy associations are urging Congress to extend the temporary increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP), which provides funding for state Medicaid and other health programs.
NABP: Microsoft, Yahoo require accreditation for online Rx ads
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has lauded Microsoft and Yahoo for their new policies requiring Web sites selling prescription drugs to be accredited through NABP’s Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program.
NACDS, NCPA hail Mississippi’s reversal of Medicaid cut
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association have praised a decision by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to forgo proposed reimbursements cuts for pharmacy and other health care providers.
Ontario goes ahead with Rx reform plan
Operators of drug stores in Ontario had their hopes dashed this week when the provincial government opted to proceed with a health reform plan that stands to halve prescription drug reimbursement for pharmacies.
HDMA, Specialty & Biotech Distributors Association to merge
The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) and the Specialty & Biotech Distributors Association (SBDA) plan to integrate associations and operations. HDMA said Monday that both of the pharmaceuticals distribution associations’ boards have approved a proposal to merge.
NCPA: Lawmakers urged CMS to enforce ‘prompt pay’
The National Community Pharmacists Association praised two Congressmen for calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to force Medicare prescription drug plans to comply with a "prompt pay" provision in legislation effective at the start of this year. NCPA said Monday that Reps.
CVS Caremark ‘surprised’ by Walgreens’ PBM move
CVS Caremark Corp. expressed disappointment with Walgreen Co.’s announcement that it won’t be a part of CVS Caremark’s pharmacy benefit management network going forward.
Pennsylvania law to spur pharmacist-doctor teamwork
A new law in Pennsylvania will foster more teamwork between pharmacists and doctors on behalf of patients, according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
Walgreens severs its pharmacy relationship with CVS Caremark PBM
Walgreen Co. no longer plans to participate in any new and renewed prescription drug plans awarded to the pharmacy benefit management business of CVS Caremark Corp.
Target sweetens pharmacy rewards
Target Corp. is changing its pharmacy rewards program to make it easier for customers to earn discounts for filling prescriptions at its stores.
Rite Aid reports decline in May sales
Sluggish pharmacy and front-end business fueled a decline in same-stores sales and total revenue in May at Rite Aid Corp. The drug store chain said Thursday that same-store sales for the five weeks ended May 29 fell 1.7% compared with the prior-year period. That was down from a 1% drop-off in
Same-store sales stay flat for Walgreens
Despite a solid gain in overall revenue, Walgreen Co. posted roughly flat same-store sales for May. The drug store chain said Thursday that comparable-store sales in May — which don’t include the recently acquired Duane Reade stores — dipped 0.