Wendy future of retail top

Issues

Senators call for Medicaid transition period

ARLINGTON, Va. — Nine senators have called on the Department of Health and Human Services to consider the challenges that states will face when the final Medicaid average manufacturer price (AMP)-based federal upper limits (FULs) are published. In a recent letter to HHS, the legislators cite the need for a one-year transition period for states

Summertime promo under way at SDM

TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart has launched “This Summer — Only at Shoppers,” a program through which it has introduced hundreds of “exclusive must-have” products as well as an interactive online portal. The summer promotional campaign began last month with the online portal as well as an in-store magazine featuring seasonal trends as well as

CVS brings back ExtraCare gas card promotion

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — With summer heating up, CVS/pharmacy has announced the return of its “Free Gas Card” promotion, a program designed to help customers save on gas while shopping for everyday essentials at participating CVS stores across the country. Through July 19, members of the ExtraCare program can earn one $10 gift card every week

Rite Aid succeeds in seizing the initiative

The talk these days in chain drug circles is all about Rite Aid and its remarkable recovery from the edge of extinction. Rite Aid is by no means outperforming its major rivals, either in chain drug retailing or in the tangential retailing categories. It’s not the largest drug chain or the most profitable or the

Test and Learn is watchword for CVS execs

“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.” American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed that thought in a journal entry from the early 1840s. The current management of CVS Caremark Corp., where new ideas are viewed as the engine that drives progress toward its objective of helping people on

Outside U.S., Rx supply chain is another world

Viewed from an international perspective, U.S. wholesale drug distribution is a model to be envied. While our nation’s wholesale distributors deserve much credit, they function by connecting product delivery to retail, mail order and clinical operators that deserve as much credit for the efficiency as do the wholesalers themselves. When forward buy profits crashed along

NACDS eyes ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ for pharmacy

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The chain drug industry is at a critical juncture, with historic change in health care delivery placing unprecedented demands on the business while presenting enormous growth opportunities. That was the message last month of new National Association of Chain Drug Stores chairman John Standley, who is also president and chief executive officer

Health care reform advances, but questions remain

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is basking in what it sees as success with the initial implementation stage of the Affordable Care Act but remains mindful that challenges await the government’s health care reform efforts as they continue to evolve. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores was among stakeholders and celebrity ACA supporters invited

Alliance Boots enlarges territory

LONDON — Alliance Boots GmbH, the pharmaceutical retailer and wholesaler partly owned by Walgreen Co., has taken its first step into Latin America with a deal to acquire 1,400 drug stores in Mexico and Chile. Boots agreed to purchase the retail pharmacy business of Grupo Casa Saba S.A.B., one of Mexico’s largest pharmaceutical distributors, in

Steinhafel steps down as Target CEO

MINNEAPOLIS — The major data breach that hit Target Corp. during the holiday shopping season has cost company chairman, president and chief executive officer Gregg Steinhafel his job. Target’s board of directors announced on May 5 that the directors and Steinhafel “have decided that now is the right time for new leadership at Target.” Chief

CVS seeks URAC community pharmacy seal

WASHINGTON — CVS/pharmacy is the first organization applicant to seek community pharmacy accreditation from URAC, a group recognized as a leader in promoting health care quality. URAC recently announced the launch of its new accreditation program for community pharmacy. “We are pleased to be the first retail pharmacy seeking URAC’s new community pharmacy accreditation,” said

Rite Aid picks Lynch to oversee technology

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Matt Lynch, an information technology executive with nearly 30 years’ experience, is joining Rite Aid Corp. as senior vice president and chief information officer. He will be responsible for all aspects of the drug chain’s technology and information operations, including computer systems, network infrastructure, telecommunications and data security. He will also

Members of Congress ask HHS for Medicaid transition period

ARLINGTON, Va. — Forty-nine members of the House of Representatives have signed a letter to the head of the Department of Health and Human Services urging adoption of a one-year transition period for states to implement the July 2014 average manufacturer price (AMP)-based federal upper ­limits (FULs) for Medicaid prescription drug reimbursement. The National Association

CVS offers ‘Bill Pay’ service for health insurance

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is launching what it describes as a first-of-its-kind service to help customers manage their monthly health insurance premiums. Bill Pay at CVS/pharmacy gives members of participating health plans the opportunity to bring their insurance bills to any of the drug chain’s 7,600 stores to pay their premiums at no additional cost.

Centrum 7/6  banner