CHICAGO — Walgreen Co. has made major progress in a transformation for long-term sustainable growth and value creation, president and chief executive officer Greg Wasson said at the company’s annual shareholders meeting. Addressing nearly 2,000 shareholders at Navy Pier, Wasson discussed Walgreens’ gains since announcing its “plan to win” in 2009. The plan was “a
SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson Corp. said it has failed in its bid to acquire the German drug wholesaler Celesio. “While we are disappointed that we were not successful in completing our offers for Celesio, we have a track record of great performance, a strong balance sheet, and demonstrated leadership and scale across our markets,” chairman
NEW YORK — While aggressive discounting to lure holiday shoppers intensified retail competition in December, the chain drug industry emerged in reasonably good shape. And while politicians and economists continue debating the direction of the economy, there are signs that 2014 might in fact see a recovery take hold. Total chain drug sales totaled $26.07
NEW YORK — Community pharmacy chains across the country have been offering patients who recently secured insurance under the Affordable Care Act advice and payment breaks on prescriptions. CVS/pharmacy, Walgreen Co., Rite Aid Corp., Kinney Drugs Inc. and Walmart are just a few of the community pharmacy operators who are offering prescriptions at no up-front
NEW YORK — The initial flow of health insurance claims under the Affordable Care Act was underwhelming. While more than 2 million people had signed up for coverage under the ACA, demand for care from the newly insured early last month was modest, providers said. But fears that ACA enrollees would be sickly, with major
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has launched an online health hub called Family Vitamin Center. The new resource is intended to help customers learn more about vitamins and supplements, and to eliminate the confusion that many consumers experience when shopping the category. The center features an interactive questionnaire and guidance tools that provide personalized supplement recommendations
STELLARTON, Nova Scotia — Lawtons Drugs president and chief executive officer Rob Sobey is retiring. Parent company Sobeys Inc. announced that Sobey, who has served as president and CEO of the Atlantic Canada drug chain for the past eight years, is slated to retire effective January 1. He will continue to serve on the board
The time period from 2004 to 2006 was not that long ago. It will be remembered in future years as the beginning of something that changed the game for how health care is practiced in the United States. Dr. Mark McClellan was then administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). He had
NEW YORK — Diabetes continues to be a huge health care problem for the United States, and pharmacists have been on the front line in the effort to reduce its scale. Still, there’s more opportunity for drug chains to provide more diabetes care, according to data from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals’ Pharmacy Satisfaction Pulse Survey. The
MIAMI — Navarro Discount Pharmacy was named a winner of the 2013 UnitedHealthcare Medication Adherence Targeted Intervention Program Challenge benefiting the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation. Navarro was recognized in the small retail pharmacy chain and independent community pharmacy category for its ability to address gaps in medication adherence among a group of
GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. — Kinney Drugs has named Tracey Rossi as the chain’s Favorite Pharmacist of the Year for 2013. Rossi was selected based on customer votes at all Kinney pharmacies in Vermont and central and northern New York. “Tracey is a kind, caring, compassionate individual,” says Jim Spencer, president of Kinney. “The relationship she has
MATTHEWS, N.C. — Former chain drug executive Mike Bloom has stepped down from his most recent post as president and chief operating officer of Family Dollar Stores Inc. The announcement of his departure came as Family Dollar reported its fiscal 2014 first quarter results. The company said a search will be conducted for his replacement.
MINNEAPOLIS — The theft of credit card and other data from Target Corp. shoppers during the holiday season was more far reaching than previously believed, affecting up to 70 million additional consumers. “I know that it is frustrating for our guests to learn that this information was taken and we are truly sorry they are
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Inc. has named chief financial officer Jerry Shore to the additional position of chief operating officer and is recasting its merchandising and marketing strategy and team under the leadership of chief executive officer Bruce Efird. The moves came after the company reported sales for the five-week fiscal month of December, which
