Obama administration gets health reform under way
Health care reform is being viewed more favorably following the Obama administration’s rollout of multiple regulations laying the groundwork for the law’s implementation.
Retail News
Back-to-school sales may jump 16% over 2009
The economy may be in for a positive jolt if back-to-school spending rises by the 16% predicted by the National Retail Federation (NRF). The NRF, citing consumers surveyed by BIGResearch, said families with students plan to spend about $55.1 billion, compared with $47.5 billion a year earlier.
Pharmaprix to make readers accessible
Pharmaprix stores will make their debit card readers more accessible to disabled customers, under an agreement with the Quebec Human Rights Commission. Pharmaprix, operated by Toronto-based Shoppers Drug Mart Corp.
Walgreens raises quarterly dividend 27.3%
Walgreen Co. has increased its quarterly dividend 27.3% to 17.5 cents per share from 13.75 cents per share. The dividend is payable September 11 to shareholders of record August 19. The dividend increase raises the annual rate from 55 cents per share to 70 cents per share.
Mac Crawford, Wilbur Ross to invest in health care
Former CVS Caremark Corp. chairman Mac Crawford and Wilbur Ross Jr. of WL Ross & Co. are forming a joint venture to invest in and restructure health care companies. The partnership could spend more than $1 billion to "build a major position in health care," Ross said.
Retail sales drop in June for second straight month
Retail sales slipped in June for the second consecutive month, fueling fears that the economy’s turnaround will lose steam over the remainder of the year. Sales dipped 0.5% in June, the Commerce Department reported today. The decline came on the heels of a 1.1% drop in May.
Dick Domann named VP of Kerr Health
Pharmaceutical industry veteran Dick Domann has been named vice president of sales and business development for the Kerr Health unit of Kerr Drug. "Dick’s immense pharmaceutical background makes him a wonderful addition to our team,” said Kerr chief executive officer Tony Civello.
British Columbia cuts generic drug prices
The provincial government will cut generic drug prices by reducing rebates manufacturers pay to pharmacies, including British Columbia-based London Drugs and Pharmasave.
A&P wellness program offers free prenatal vitamins
A&P is offering free prescription prenatal and children’s vitamins for members of its Live Better! Wellness Club.
Navarro refreshes its Miami flagship store
Navarro Discount Pharmacies has renovated and reopened its flagship store in Miami and plans similar upgrades for other store locations. Navarro held the grand reopening of its original store at 1243 S.W. 8 Street in Miami, which opened in 1961 as El Nacional Drug Store, late last month.
Discount Drug Mart to deploy vision testing kiosks
Discount Drug Mart is slated to deploy SoloHealth EyeSite kiosks as part of an effort with the Cleveland Eye Clinic to promote eye health awareness and encourage regular vision exams.
NCPA Foundation gets $100K grant from Purdue Pharma
The National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation has been awarded a $100,000 grant by Purdue Pharma to advance the foundation’s efforts to stimulate community pharmacy-based research to help improve patient care and education.
CVS named National Council on Aging senior center sponsor
CVS/pharmacy has been named as the national sponsor of the National Council on Aging’s (NCOA’s) National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC). NISC is a national network for senior center professionals that supports efforts to improve the aging experience in all communities. CVS Caremark Corp.
New director elected to Jean Coutu’s board
The board of The Jean Coutu Group has elected Annie Thabet as a director. The Canadian drug store operator said Thursday that Thabet was elected at the company’s shareholder meeting on July 6.
Pharmasave allies with Rx PharmaChoice
Canadian pharmacy franchise operators Pharmasave and Rx PharmaChoice have formed a strategic alliance.
CVS: Generic substitution can cut Medicaid costs
A new CVS Caremark Corp. study has found that states scrambling to pay for rising health care costs in their Medicaid programs can save over $100 million over the next several years by changing generic substitution laws to facilitate substitutions of generic drugs for branded medications.