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Retail News Breaks Archives The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is making sure that pharmacy didn't get lost in the wave — that is, the one that hit Congress in this week's midterm elections. Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. plans to hold flu shot clinics at more than 400 stores starting this month. Walgreen Co. has grown its retail pharmacy market share as it continues to execute on core strategies laid out two years ago, president and chief executive officer Greg Wasson said at the company's Analyst Day conference here. Walgreen Co. plans to offer free blood glucose testing and A1C testing at more than 1,700 stores and Take Care Clinics nationwide starting next week. Thrifty White Drug Stores plans to implement an integrated drug database and decision support system from Gold Standard/Elsevier that's expected to give pharmacists more time to counsel customers. Same-store sales at Walgreen Co. dipped in October despite revenue gains in both the pharmacy and front end. Third-quarter earnings at CVS Caremark Corp. were in line with Wall Street's expectations but down sharply from a year ago, while a sales gain in the retail drug store unit was overshadowed by a revenue decline in the pharmacy benefit management business. Lifted in part by robust sales, drugstore.com reported a profit for the third quarter following a year-ago loss. The Food and Drug Administration this week got a heads-up on key pharmacy industry priorities over the next five years from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. In testimony for the Food and Drug Administration, a CVS Caremark Corp. executive reiterated the company's support that the agency implement regulations needed to approve biogeneric drugs under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Stater Bros. has begun offering free diabetes medications at its Super Rx pharmacy locations. Duane Reade walk-in clinics can now accept Medicare payments for routine health services provided to senior citizens. A new chief executive officer will be at the helm of pharmacy provider BioScrip Inc. starting next year. A survey by CVS/pharmacy finds that financial concerns are an obstacle to care for to many diabetes patients. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration outlining the need to improve the usefulness of patient medication information that consumers receive with their prescription drugs. Walgreen Co.'s Take Care Health Systems subsidiary is trumpeting research showing that alternative sites for health care — including retail clinics and urgent care centers — could alleviate overcrowded emergency rooms and save the nation's health care system billions of dollars. Target is launching a month-long campaign to help customers and employees in their efforts to quit smoking. Rite Aid Corp. plans to hold another round of flu shot clinics at hundreds of stores next week. Supervalu Inc. is slated to launch a health and wellness program that takes aim at diabetes and links the food and pharmacy departments.
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