Walgreens 1Q gets boost from flu shot business
Walgreen Co. topped Wall Street’s profit forecast and saw sales climb 9.5% in its fiscal 2010 first quarter, fueled by a surge in its flu vaccination business.
Retail News
CVS Caremark names new PBM president
Per Lofberg, president and chief executive officer of Generation Health Inc., has been appointed president of CVS Caremark Corp.’s pharmacy benefit management business. Plans call for Lofberg to start in the position on January 4, CVS Caremark said Monday.
Safeway updates availability of H1N1, seasonal flu shots
Safeway Inc. has made the H1N1 vaccine available through its pharmacies in 16 states and is offering seasonal flu immunizations in all of its stores.
Duane Reade serves up H1N1 immunizations
Duane Reade has begun providing H1N1 vaccinations via flu shot clinics at several locations in New York City.
Lawmakers urge higher FUL for Medicaid Rx
Leading pharmacy groups said 16 members of Congress are calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to consider a higher federal upper limit (FUL) for reimbursing pharmacies for dispensing generic prescription drugs under the Medicaid program.
NACDS praises Senate action on drug reimportation
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores applauded the Senate for preventing the passage of prescription drug reimportation amendments that the association said would have "compromised the link between pharmacy and patients.
Rite Aid shrinks 3Q loss, but revenue slips
Rite Aid Corp. beat Wall Street analyst estimates with a narrower loss in its fiscal 2010 third quarter, although sales tailed off slightly. The drug store chain on Thursday posted a net loss of $83.9 million, or 10 cents per diluted share, for the 13 weeks ended November 28, compared with
CVS rolls out H1N1 vaccinations, restocks seasonal flu shots
CVS Caremark Corp. has made H1N1 "swine flu" vaccines available at CVS/pharmacies and MinuteClinics in 21 states and is again offering seasonal flu shots through its in-store health clinics.
Walgreens nears national H1N1 vaccine availability
Walgreen Co. plans to have H1N1 "swine flu" vaccinations available in all 50 states by the end of this month.
Central Florida Walgreens pharmacies offer swine flu shots
More than 100 Walgreens pharmacies in central Florida have started providing H1N1 "swine flu" vaccinations. Walgreen Co. said Monday that H1N1 injectable and nasal vaccines are now being offered at drug stores in Florida’s Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Sumter and Marion counties.
Retailers cross fingers for holiday sales lift
Drug store chains and other mass retailers are hoping that better days are ahead after scratching out a slim sales increase in November. Same-store sales (excluding Wal-Mart Stores Inc.) for the month were up 0.9% year over year, down from a 2.3% increase in October, according to Retail Forward.
CVS Caremark appoints new chief human resources officer
CVS Caremark Corp. has promoted Lisa Bisaccia to senior vice president and chief human resources officer. The drug store chain and pharmacy benefits manager said Friday that Bisaccia, currently vice president of human resources at the company, will begin her new role on January 1.
Chicago Walgreens stores to provide H1N1 vaccines
Walgreen Co. this week plans to begin offering injectable and nasal vaccines for the H1N1 "swine flu" virus at more than 30 pharmacies and several Take Care health clinics in Chicago.
NCPA calls on CMS to nix Ohio plan to cut dispensing fee
The National Community Pharmacists Association has urged the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) not to approve a Medicaid plan amendment submitted by Ohio that would more than halve the state’s dispensing fee.
Bang to join SDM as senior VP merchandising
Chong Bang, Walgreen Co.’s general merchandise manager for photo and front-end services and the latest executive to oversee implementation of the company’s Customer-Centric Retailing (CCR) initiative, plans to leave the company later this month.
Rx groups welcome MTM amendment to Senate bill
Retail pharmacy organizations have commended Sen. Kay Hagan (D., N.C.) for introducing an amendment to the Senate health care reform bill that would bolster medication therapy management (MTM) programs in Medicare Part D.