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Retail News Breaks Archives The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association commended Sen. Herb Kohl (D., Wis.) for highlighting concerns about the planned merger of pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc. Responding to a rise in the number of whooping cough cases across the country, Rite Aid Corp. is alerting consumers that the pertussis vaccine is available at most of its drug stores. Target Corp. has unveiled its pharmacy strategy for its planned Canadian stores. Walgreen Co. saw same-store sales drop in January amid a sharp decline in its pharmacy business, which took a hit from the company's stand-off with pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts Inc. Last year, the Affordable Care Act health care reform law saved 3.6 million people with Medicare $2.1 billion on their prescription drugs, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation this week launched its second round of funding for the Community Pharmacy Residency Expansion Project (Community PREP) and announced the winners of the 2011 Pharmacy Student Scholarship Awards. Larry Burton has been hired as senior vice president of government affairs at CVS Caremark Corp. Gains in both the front end and pharmacy propelled Rite Aid Corp. to another month of increased same-store sales in January. Walgreen Co. is acquiring the community specialty pharmacy and centralized specialty and mail service pharmacy businesses of BioScrip Inc. for about $225 million. Chain drug retailers Rite Aid Corp. and Walgreen Co. have kicked off heart health initiatives in recognition of American Heart Month in February. CVS/pharmacy has launched Order Ready Text Messaging, which allows customers to get text messages to notify them when their prescription is ready to be picked up. National Association of Chain Drug Stores is part of a group of health care-related organizations hailing a tentative decision by a federal court to block a 10% reimbursement cut in Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. Rite Aid Corp. has partnered with American Greetings Corp. and Hershey Co. for "Sweet Escape," a Valentine's Day promotion on its Facebook and Twitter sites. Walgreen Co. plans to buy prescription files and inventory from 33 Kmart pharmacies in 16 states. Katz Group Canada has signed an agreement to sell Drug Trading Co., its banner pharmacy business, and Medicine Shoppe Canada, its franchise pharmacy business, to McKesson Corp. for about $920 million. Walgreen Co. today named former Pfizer Inc. executive Robyn Peters as group vice president of managed market sales.
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