Walgreens reports record pace for flu immunizations
Walgreen Co. said it’s encountering unprecedented demand for seasonal flu shots, delivering more than 1 million vaccinations since it began offering them two weeks ago.
Retail News
Kinney Drugs set to launch flu, pneumonia clinics
Later this month Kinney Drugs plans to begin holding clinics for seasonal flu and pneumonia shots in all of its retail pharmacy outlets. The drug store chain, with 90 locations in upstate New York and Vermont, said this week that it will start offering the vaccinations on September 28. The flu and
Wal-Mart goes national with free Rx mail delivery
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is rolling out free mail delivery nationwide for 90-day supplies of certain generic prescription drugs.
CMS approves pharmacy dispensing fee hike in Texas
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores declared a victory for pharmacies after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Texas State Plan Amendment (SPA) to raise the pharmacy dispensing fee.
CVS Caremark makes moves in retail leadership
CVS Caremark Corp. has made several organizational changes in its retail division. Mike Bloom, senior vice president of merchandising since 2003, has been named senior vice president of merchandising and supply chain.
Stop & Shop, Giant pharmacies offer discounted flu shots
Ahold USA food and drug chains Stop & Stop and Giant Food have begun offering discounted flu shots to loyalty card holders.
NACDS vigilant as Congress addresses Rx reimbursement
A key Senate committee has made Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement a priority as it drafts health care legislation, but the chain drug industry must keep a close watch as lawmakers work out the details for reckoning drug prices, according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
Kmart pharmacies begin flu shot clinics
This week Kmart has started offering seasonal flu vaccinations on a walk-in basis through clinics at more than 900 pharmacy locations nationwide. The discount store chain, part of Sears Holdings Corp.
Walgreens names new technology and marketing execs
Walgreen Co. has hired new chief information and chief technology officers and a marketing services vice president. The drug store chain on Thursday said Tim Theriault will join the company as CIO and senior vice president effective October 1.
Sebelius urged to intervene in AWP Rx reimbursement issue
In the wake of last week’s ruling in the First DataBank/Medi-Span case, pharmacy industry groups are turning to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary Kathleen Sebelius to help head off Medicaid cutbacks that they say threaten patient access to pharmacies.
Pharmacy groups call on Congress to ease DME requirements
In letters to key congressional leaders, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and other industry groups are urging lawmakers to take action to allow pharmacies to keep selling Medicare Part B durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) before stricter guidelines
Walgreens kicks off flu season public awareness campaign
Walgreen Co. has launched a campaign to promote public education about the flu and highlight the need to get immunized.
Target rolls out flu shots in pharmacies, clinics
Next month, Target Corp. plans to offer seasonal flu shots at its more than 1,500 pharmacies nationwide.
Giant Eagle unveils free antibiotics program
Giant Eagle Inc. is offering certain commonly prescribed generic antibiotics at no charge through all of its pharmacies.
AWP case ruling a blow to pharmacies, NACDS says
A federal appeals court this week upheld settlements in the First DataBank Inc. and Medi-Span Inc. case that stand to cut the average wholesale prices (AWPs) of drugs paid to pharmacies, according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. NACDS warned that the September 3 ruling by the U.S.
Pfizer cites transparency measures after $2.3B settlement
Pfizer Inc. said it’s taking extra steps to foster greater transparency in its promotional practices after the pharmaceutical giant this week agreed to a $2.3 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations of fraudulent marketing.