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Issue 06-05-2017

WBA pushes FTC for decision on Rite Aid acquisition

WBA pushes FTC for decision on Rite Aid acquisition

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) has taken action to force the hand of federal regulators deciding whether to approve its pending acquisition of Rite Aid Corp. WBA and Rite Aid last month notified the Federal Trade Commission that they have complied with the agency’s second request for information on the deal. While

American Health Care Act falls short on coverage

American Health Care Act falls short on coverage

WASHINGTON — The drive to repeal and replace Obama­care has hit a roadblock. The Congressional Budget Office found that the G.O.P.-led American Health Care Act (AHCA) would leave 23 million more people uninsured in a decade. The CBO assessment cast further doubt on the chances of the Senate passing a similar bill to the AHCA,

Amazon may be mulling pharmacy market entry

Amazon may be mulling pharmacy market entry

NEW YORK — The retail pharmacy market may soon face an unwelcome challenge from e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc. According to a recent report by CNBC, the company has hired a number of people from the pharmacy industry and is conducting a search for a general manager to lead a team and create a ­strategy. The

Target’s Cornell: Border tax would hike prices

WASHINGTON — Target Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Brian Cornell spoke for much of the retail industry when he testified before the House Ways and Means Committee last month that the proposed Border Adjustment Tax would raise prices for American consumers. Under the border tax, “American families — your constituents — would pay more

Trump budget would cut health care funds

WASHINGTON — The fiscal 2018 U.S. budget issued by the Trump administration calls for steep cuts in health care and scientific research while heavily boosting defense spending and offering substantial tax cuts. Dubbed “A New Foundation for American Greatness,” the spending plan was touted as a “taxpayer first” budget by Mick Mulvaney, director of the

NACDS serves up tools for Total Store Expo

NACDS serves up tools for Total Store Expo

ARLINGTON, Va. — A suite of tools is available for attendees prepping for the 2017 NACDS Total Store Expo in San Diego, says Jim Whitman, senior vice president of member programs and services for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. This year’s event will be held August 19 through August 22 at the San

London Drugs opens its first optical center

London Drugs opens its first optical center

WEST VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Optical London Drugs made its debut last month inside a remodeled London Drugs store here. The full-service optical clinic has licensed optometrists on the premises. Plans call for other Optical London Drugs sites to be announced in the coming weeks. “At London Drugs we are always looking for new and

Fred’s screening campaigns tout prevention

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For the fifth consecutive year, Fred’s Inc. recognized Colon Cancer Awareness Month by giving away free at-home EZ Detect screening kits designed to detect signs of colon cancer and rectal cancer in the early stages, when they are most treatable. The retailer, which operates 601 pharmacy and general merchandise stores in 15

Users realize benefits of Walgreens mental health platform

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens announced that nearly three-quarters of visitors to a digital platform that hosts free tools to screen for certain psychological disorders are taking “follow-up steps.” Walgreens introduced the platform a year ago with Mental Health America (MHA), a nonprofit that describes its mission as “addressing the needs of those living with mental

Walgreens helps to improve veterans’ mental health

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is collaborating with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to improve mental health care for military veterans through enhanced education, access to resources and ­outreach. The partners are reaching out to veterans with targeted initiatives that address mental health awareness and treatment, suicide prevention

Ex-SEC chair joins CVS Health board

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Mary Schapiro, former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, has been elected to the board of directors at CVS Health. Schapiro joins the 11 directors re-elected during the CVS Health annual shareholders meeting last month. “We welcome Mary’s extraordinary record of leadership and unmatched commitment to investor protection and sound financial

Sobeys promotes pharmacy chief Vivek Sood to bigger role

STELLARTON, Nova Scotia — Vivek Sood, pharmacy chief at Sobeys Inc., has been appointed executive vice president of related businesses at the Canadian food and drug retailer’s parent, Empire Co. In his new role, Sood will oversee the company’s pharmacy, wholesale, fuel, convenience and liquor businesses and report to Michael Medline, president and chief executive

NACDS Foundation sponsors March of Dimes gala

WASHINGTON — The prevention efforts undertaken by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation were highlighted by chairman Steve Anderson at the March of Dimes Gourmet Gala last month. The NACDS Foundation served as title sponsor of the event — which celebrated its 35th ­anniversary. The foundation’s prevention focus aligns with the March of

Veteran London Drugs exec honored

TORONTO — The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) honored industry veterans John Tse and Jaiveer Singh during its chairman’s dinner event at the Pharmacy, Health and Beauty Expo 2017. Tse, a longtime London Drugs executive who left the company this year, received the Len Marks Pharmacy Advancement Award. Singh, chief executive officer of

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