ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Three massive corporations integrating the largest insurance companies, big-box pharmacies, and pharmacy benefit middlemen in the world are strangling competition and bleeding patients, said the National Community Pharmacists Association in comments submitted to the Federal Trade Commission. NCPA outlined the “staggering scope” of practices that distort the pharmacy market against independent competitors,
NEW YORK — Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) reportedly is modifying its agreement to buy 2,186 stores from Rite Aid Corp. to gain Federal Trade Commission approval for the deal, reached upon the termination of their planned merger. Bloomberg reported early Monday that WBA is winding down talks with the FTC and could soon unveil an
NEW YORK — Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) and Rite Aid Corp. are rescheduling the waiting period for a downsized store sale agreement reached upon the termination of their planned merger. According to recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, WBA and Rite Aid agreed to withdraw their initial Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act
Today would have been the day for the Federal Trade Commission to issue a decision on the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger, had Walgreens Boots Alliance and Rite Aid Corp. not elected to scuttle the deal and unveil a downsized transaction eight days ago. Both companies said that, based on signals from the FTC, they thought WBA’s
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy has procured $550 million in additional funding for its deal to buy up to 1,200 Rite Aid stores in connection with the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger. In an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, Fred’s said that for a second time it has amended and restated a commitment
NEW YORK — The Federal Trade Commission is readying a lawsuit to block the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger deal, according to published reports. Citing policy news service Capital Forum, which analyzes the antitrust review of mergers and acquisitions, Investors Business Daily said on Friday that the FTC was “preparing advice” to take action against the transaction,
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
Walgreens Boots Alliance and Rite Aid last week said they’ve complied with the Federal Trade Commission’s second request for information on their merger deal. But it appears the FTC still wants to know more. The New York Post reported Tuesday that the FTC has issued civil investigative demands (CIDs) to Walgreens vendors and competitors to
Rite Aid saw its stock price sink to a 52-week low on Wednesday after a report that the Federal Trade Commission may challenge the drug chain’s acquisition by larger rival Walgreens Boots Alliance. Citing trade publication The Capital Forum, Bloomberg reported that the FTC was mulling a lawsuit to block the deal. Rite Aid’s share
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) is reportedly prepared to sell additional stores and other assets to Fred’s Inc. in an effort to win Federal Trade Commission approval for its merger with Rite Aid Corp. WBA, which had initially agreed to sell 865 Rite Aid stores to Fred’s, is planning to raise that
Walgreens Boots Alliance has gone ahead and set a deadline for the Federal Trade Commission to approve its deal to acquire Rite Aid Corp. According to the New York Post, WBA has “certified compliance” in its application, meaning that it has provided the FTC with the information needed to determine if the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger
The latest scuttlebutt on the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger: Walgreens Boots Alliance looks to be divesting even more stores and other assets to Fred’s. Citing anonymous sources, Bloomberg reported Tuesday that WBA is “nearing an agreement” to raise the number of stores to sell to Fred’s as well as include distribution centers, software and staff. No
It has been over 14 months and two deal date extensions since the announcement of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s agreement to acquire Rite Aid Corp. Now WBA may act to push the Federal Trade Commission to come to a decision. The New York Post reported that WBA may claim that it has “certified compliance” in its
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) and Rite Aid Corp. have extended the end date for their merger by six months, and have indicated a willingness to sell up to 1,200 Rite Aid stores to win Federal Trade Commission approval for the deal. Originally WBA said it was willing to divest up to
