CDR – Chain Drug Review - Reporter for the Chain Drug Industry

Walgreens designates 20 MS pharmacies

Offers access to limited-distribution MS drugs and non-MS medications.

NRF says modest sales gains in November

WASHINGTON – Retail sales growth was modest in November, but the National Retail Federation still expects a strong holiday season for retailers. Retail sales in November increased 0.1% seasonally adjusted over October and were up 2.1% unadjusted year-over-year, according to the NRF, which noted that

House passes bill to lower drug prices

WASHINGTON — On Thursday The House passed a bill aimed at lowering prescription drug prices, a step toward a long-held Democratic goal that was met with sharp Republican resistance. The bill passed on a largely party-line vote of 230-192. The measure, which would allow the

Analysis of HDA specialty distributors reveals continued growth

ARLINGTON, Va. — A new analysis published by the HDA Research Foundation indicates that oncology drugs, autoimmune and HIV therapeutics fueled specialty pharmaceutical segment growth in 2018. The 2019 Specialty Pharmaceutical Distribution: Facts, Figures and Trends indicates that oncology therapeutics account for most specialty distributor

SilverCloud’s platform now part of Express Scripts’ digital health formulary

BOSTON — SilverCloud Health, one of the leading digital mental health platforms, announced Friday that Express Scripts, the largest independent manager of pharmacy benefits in the United States, will include SilverCloud’s evidenced-based digital mental health platform on its new digital health formulary in 2020. This makes the

Oscar, Capsule partner to increase access to affordable drugs in N.Y.

NEW YORK — Oscar and Capsule have announced a new partnership that will bring Capsule’s effortless, same-day delivery pharmacy benefits to all Oscar members in New York. Starting on January 1, 2020, all Oscar members can select Capsule as their pharmacy in the app. Members

RETAIL NEWS

Nambe Drugs now offers AllerPops for allergy sufferers

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. — Nambe Drugs, a family-owned pharmacy located in Los Alamos and Santa Fe, is now carrying AllerPops, a natural allergy remedy that works by correcting the underlying cause of allergies instead of masking the symptoms. “I think it’s going to be a

Kroger and Walgreens form purchasing group

CINCINNATI — Building on a unique collaboration that first brought together Kroger Co.’s food and grocery experience with Walgreens’ expertise in health and beauty, the companies have formed a new group purchasing organization (GPO) aimed at delivering purchasing efficiencies, lower costs and combined resources to

Dollar General now selling CBD products in select states

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General announced on Tuesday that it has begun selling about 20 CBD topical cosmetic products in approximately 1,100 stores in Tennessee and Kentucky. The company said it also plans to expand the products’ availability to seven more states (Colorado, Florida, Indiana,

CVS installs time delay safes in all of its West Virginia pharmacies

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Pharmacy announced Monday that it has completed the rollout of time delay safes in all of its 58 CVS Pharmacy locations in West Virginia, including pharmacies located in Target stores. The safes are anticipated to help prevent pharmacy robberies and the

MMR honors ‘People Who Made a Difference’

NEW YORK — Earlier this week, Chain Drug Review’s sister publication Mass Market Retailers honored the outstanding executives who were chosen as the publication’s Six Who Made a Difference in 2019. On hand to receive awards were the following executives: Brian Eason, Vice President of

SUPPLIER NEWS

IRI, Kantar team to help CPG companies

NEW YORK — IRI and Kantar are joining forces to help consumer packaged goods companies measure and optimize their marketing programs for both short-term sales gains and long-term brand health. The companies this week launched what they’re calling a closed-loop solution that combines IRI sales

Pepsi Café beverage to debut next April

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Pepsi is brewing something up for 2020 that will awaken taste buds of cola lovers and coffee fanatics across the country. Pepsi announced Pepsi Café, a delicious new beverage debuting in the U.S. in April 2020, that blends the taste of deep flavorful

E. & J. Gallo agrees to modify agreement with Constellation

MODESTO, Calif. — E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo) announced Thursday that it has agreed to modify its agreement with Constellation Brands announced on April 3, 2019, for the purchase of a portfolio of wine brands, along with six winemaking facilities located in California, Washington,

Nestlé makes strategic move to create global leader in ice cream

VEVEY, Switzerland — Nestlé announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement to sell its U.S. ice cream business to Froneri, an ice cream-focused joint venture Nestlé created in 2016 with PAI Partners, for a transaction value of USD $4 billion. In 2016, Nestlé and

Vet’s beard honored as ‘Best in America’ by Wahl

STERLING, Ill. – Zack Brown’s beard now wears the badge of ‘Best in America’ and he owns the title of Wahl Man of the Year. Each year Wahl’s mobile barbershop visits the Top 10 Most Facial Hair Friendly Cities in America in search of the nation’s