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Retail News Breaks Archives The stakes are high for President Barack Obama this weekend as his plan for health care reform faces a crucial vote in the House of Representatives. Jeffrey Kindler, chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer Inc., has been elected chairman of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Rite Aid Corp. has begun accepting electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards and food stamps provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at its stores nationwide. Walgreen Co. plans to acquire prescription files and other assets of 17 Ike's and Super D drug stores in the Memphis, Tenn., area from USA Drug. National Association of Chain Drug Stores members and other pharmacy advocates have sent 1,500 letters to federal lawmakers over the past week and participated in over 220 in-person Congressional meetings during NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill. The National Community Pharmacists Association has expressed its support of the U.S. Department of Defense's efforts to collect the same manufacturer rebates for the TRICARE Retail Pharmacy Program that are applicable to prescriptions filled at TRICARE mail-order pharmacies and military treatment facilities. A Democratic senator and a Republican congressman underscored the value of pharmacy's role in health care in official remarks in the Congressional Record, according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Walgreen Co. next month plans to stop accepting new Medicaid patients in its Washington stores, citing continued cutbacks in pharmacy reimbursement by the state. Kinney Drugs has partnered with local health programs to help uninsured customers obtain free cancer screenings and later this month plans to open its 91st store. CVS/pharmacy and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) announced the recipients of the Prescription for Better Health Award at the Aging in America Conference here. Publix Super Markets Inc. is providing free metformin to patients with type II diabetes as part of a new diabetes management program. Online pharmacy verifier LegitScript.com has partnered with SiteJabber.com to help consumers identify trustworthy prescription drug web sites and avoid fraudulent ones. Walgreen Co.’s ownership will accelerate Duane Reade’s drive to be an urban drug chain without equal, according to Duane Reade chairman and chief executive officer John Lederer.
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