Senate leaders reach deal on health reform bill
Senior Democrats have reached an agreement on one of the biggest hurdles for the Senate’s health care reform bill: a public health insurance option. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.
Retail News
Walgreens rolls out H1N1 vaccines in Louisiana
Walgreen Co. is now offering H1N1 "swine flu" immunizations at more than 50 pharmacies in Louisiana, following up on its rollout of the vaccine in Salt Lake City early last month.
CVS touts one-stop shopping for holiday season
Emphasizing the shopping convenience of its drug stores, CVS Caremark Corp. is promoting itself as a one-stop destination to lure consumers as they mull where to buy their holiday gifts and other needs.
NACDS Foundation dinner raises over $1.8 million
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation raised more than $1.8 Million for scholarships, charities and public health efforts at its 11th Annual Foundation Dinner this week in New York City.
Same-store sales dip in November at Rite Aid
Rite Aid Corp. posted its sixth consecutive month of same-store sales declines in November. The drug store chain said Thursday that for the five weeks ended November 28, same-store sales fell 0.8% from the prior-year period. That followed decreases of 0.5% in October and 0.3% in September.
Rite Aid, Maryland health network open in-store clinics
Rite Aid Corp. has opened three Atlantic ImmediCare retail health clinics inside stores in Maryland and Delaware. The new clinics, operated by Berlin, Md.-based Atlantic General Hospital and Health System, are located at Rite Aid stores in Ocean Pines and Pocomoke City, Md., and Millsboro, Del.
Walgreens sees letup in same-store sales
Same-store sales growth slowed in November at Walgreen Co. as a revival in front-end business during the previous two months lost steam. The drug store chain said Wednesday that same-store sales in November rose 3.9%, down from respective 4.9% and 5.
Rx groups: New NDC policy may disrupt Part D coverage
Pharmacy and drug retail and wholesale groups say a new National Drug Code (NDC) policy being enacted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may block Medicare Part D benefits for many common prescription drugs that had been covered for years.
Drugstore.com rings up record orders on ‘Cyber Monday’
Drugstore.com tallied the highest number of customer orders in its history on the Monday after the Thanksgiving weekend, better known as "Cyber Monday" for its heavy online shopping activity. The online retailer said Tuesday that this holiday season its main drugstore.com site and its beauty.
Duane Reade to roll out Blockbuster DVD kiosks
Duane Reade Inc. is working with NCR Corp. to deploy Blockbuster Express DVD rental kiosks in most of the metropolitan New York drug chain’s stores. The kiosks will be deployed in 200-plus Duane Reade stores over the next few months.
MinuteClinic, Humana partner on health, wellness services
MinuteClinic, the retail clinic arm of CVS Caremark Corp., and health benefits provider Humana Inc. plan to collaborate on activities to broaden Humana members’ access to convenient health care services.
Walgreens makes more executive moves
Walgreen Co. has promoted two legal executives and hired another executive for its pharmacy systems team. The drug store chain on Monday said Laura Merten, currently divisional vice president of health law, has been named divisional vice president of compliance, loss prevention and profit sharing.
Rite Aid trumpets savings message for holidays
With many consumers putting extra emphasis on finding holiday deals this year, Rite Aid Corp. is offering a gift guide to aid customers as well as a gift certificate program to spur purchases.
Roundtable: Drug retailers look to energize front end
With consumers keeping a tight rein on their spending dollars, category managers are being compelled to change the way they operate, drug retail executives said in a recent Chain Drug Review roundtable in New York City.
NACDS lauds FDA’s efforts vs. ‘rogue’ Internet pharmacies
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has expressed support for the Food and Drug Administration’s recent initiatives to crack down on "rogue" pharmacy web sites.
‘Cork’ Walgreen, two Walgreens directors to retire
Charles R. "Cork" Walgreen III, grandson of Walgreen Co.’s founder, plans to step down from the company’s board early next year, along with longstanding directors Cordell Reed and Marilou von Ferstel.