June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, News
ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has hailed the government’s postponement of final federal upper limits (FULs) for Medicaid prescription reimbursements based on average manufacturer price (AMP). Final AMP-based FULs under the Affordable Care Act, which were to take effect in July, will be delayed to provide “sufficient time” for implementation,
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, News
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Walmart’s small stores are thriving, according to Bill Simon, the company’s U.S. president and chief executive officer. “Neighborhood Markets and Walmart Express stores have been a big hit, providing fast, easy access whenever and however customers want it,” Simon said earlier this month during the Walmart annual shareholders meeting at the the
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, News
WASHINGTON — In a bipartisan show of support, the Senate confirmed Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the new secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a 78-17 vote. Although all of the no votes were cast by Republicans, two dozen members of the GOP joined with 52 Democrats and two independents in
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, News
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — A session billed as “The Big Debate” formed the centerpiece of the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS) 2014 Annual Conference. The motion being debated was: “Be it resolved that pharmacy is a key member of the health care team.” The protagonists in the debate, staged in parliamentary style, were
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, News
WASHINGTON — HealthCare.gov is getting a makeover. The Obama administration is eliminating major parts of the online health insurance exchange to avoid a repeat of the problems that marked its launch last October, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing presentations to insurers and interviews with government officials and contractors. The overhaul and its tight schedule
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, News
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark Corp. says it has reinvented the specialty patient experience with Specialty Connect, a prescription services program. Leveraging CVS Caremark’s retail and pharmacy resources, the program offers patients “unsurpassed choice and flexibility in how they access their specialty medications” while providing centralized expert clinical support, according to the company. Historically, CVS
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, News
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Though same-store sales rose in May, Rite Aid Corp. lowered its fiscal 2015 forecast, citing factors affecting pharmacy margins. For the five weeks ended May 31, comparable-store sales advanced 3.5% year over year. The gain continued Rite Aid’s comp-store sales growth trend this year. In the front end, same-store sales edged
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, News
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Pharmacy industry veteran Michael Cantrell has been named senior vice president of retail health at Shopko Stores Operating Co. At the general merchandise retailer, Cantrell will provide strategic direction for the pharmacy, optical and Rx Care departments. He reports to Peter McMahon, chief executive officer of Shopko. A registered pharmacist and
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, News
OAK BROOK, Ill. — Walgreen Co. executive Rachel Bishop has joined TreeHouse Foods Inc. as senior vice president and chief strategy officer. In this role she becomes a key member of the TreeHouse executive leadership team and reports to Sam Reed, chairman, president and chief executive officer. She is based at the TreeHouse corporate headquarters
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, News
WASHINGTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Healthcare Distribution Management Association are among organizations supporting House legislation to address the growing prescription drug abuse trend while preserving patients’ access to their medications. NACDS has written to the bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committees’ health subcommittee to reiterate its
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, News
NEW YORK — Sam’s Club is introducing a new cash-back program on a credit card with chip-enabled technology to provide more security from fraudulent activity. Due out on June 23, the Sam’s Club 5-3-1 cash-back program on its cobranded MasterCard, issued by GE Capital Retail Bank, enables members to earn 5% cash back on fuel,
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, Opinion
Anyone connected, even remotely, to retailing should be required to attend at least one Walmart Annual Shareholders Meeting. To label this experience unique is to state the obvious — and seriously understate its significance. As most retail participants know by now, a Walmart annual meeting differs dramatically from all others. It’s bigger, bolder, more daring,
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, Opinion
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) decision to hold off on finalizing state use of federal upper limits (FULs) for reimbursement to pharmacy providers that fill prescriptionsfor Medicaid beneficiaries is a significant achievement for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and its allies. In a bulletin issued last November, CMS had advised
June 13, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-16-2014, Opinion
A question heard repeatedly at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting in April was, “What is wrong with vitamins?” After four or five years of high-single-digit annual growth, with only minimal disruptions during that time, most retailers are seeing sales that are flat and even declining. Being that vitamins and nutritional supplements