The National Association of Chain Drug Stores mobilized an impressive array of pharmacy advocates earlier this month to inform, educate and motivate members of Congress and other federal officials about the need to support policies that enable members of the profession to serve patients effectively. The 424 pharmacy proponents — including key executives from many
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores was at the top of its game during the Regional Chain Conference in Palm Beach, Fla., earlier this month. Often overshadowed by the association’s larger events, this hidden gem provides attendees with an initial look at the objectives that NACDS and its members will pursue during the course
Walgreens Boots Alliance has entered the early stages of a profound transition, one that will see the organization pivot from a store-first to a digital-first model. Any lingering doubts about the direction the company is headed were put to rest earlier this month when WBA unveiled a seven-year agreement with Microsoft to harness the power
Everyone recognizes that the high cost of health care in the U.S. is a chronic problem, the fallout from which is hurting patients, constraining providers and preventing the nation from marshalling adequate resources to address other essential needs. As noted in this space earlier this month, the Affordable Care Act, the legislation that governs the
The law of the land for almost a decade, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 is as controversial now as it was when it was enacted. Republicans’ negative view of the legislation remains diametrically opposed to that of Democrats, public opinion is divided, and the courts continue to issue often contradictory rulings
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The combination of CVS Health and Aetna marks a new era in U.S. health care. Finalized in late November, the $69 billion deal paves the way for the combined company, whose expertise and assets touch nearly every aspect of patient care, to revolutionize health care delivery and, in the process, complete the
U.S. district court judge Richard Leon put somewhat of a damper on CVS Health’s merger with Aetna earlier this month when he indicated that he might order a halt to the integration of the companies, which finalized their $78 billion tie-up in late November after winning approval from the Department of Justice and state regulators.
There is a lot of talk in the industry about the role of retail pharmacists and how it will change in response to the aspirations of those professionals; the knowledge and expertise they possess; and the needs of a creaking health care system, notably the problems of patient access and rising expenditures. AmerisourceBergen, one of
Despite all the attention that Amazon justifiably receives for the transformational effect it is exerting on mass market retailing, a case can be made that the company that is in the best position to meet the omnichannel needs of consumers over the long term is Walmart. Listening to president and chief executive officer Doug McMillon
For the better part of a decade, Walgreens Boosts Alliance has been engaged in continually rethinking what a chain drug store means to the consumer, and how the format needs to evolve to remain relevant in an era when digital technology is changing the rules of the game in retailing and health care. That process
A little over 40 years ago, the first issue of Chain Drug Review appeared. Founded by publisher Susan Schinitsky and editor David Pinto, the publication was positioned, as Pinto said in his first column for Chain Drug Review, as a “biweekly newspaper written and edited specifically for the chain drug industry.” The thrust of the
The appointment of Jim Donald to succeed Bob Miller as chief executive officer of Albertsons Cos. earlier this month symbolizes the company’s ability to maintain its equilibrium when confronted with adversity and find new ways forward. The food/drug combination store operators’ strategic plan, which was centered on a merger with Rite Aid, was upended in
Amazon’s long anticipated, much ballyhooed entry into the retail pharmacy sector has finally taken place. The e-commerce powerhouse in late June agreed to pay a billion dollars to purchase PillPack, which packages prescription medications in presorted doses, along with over-the-counter health care products and nutritional supplements, and delivers them directly to patients’ homes. Cofounded in
All indications are that CVS Health’s $77 billion acquisition of Aetna is on track to be finalized by the end of the year. The transaction has won the approval of shareholders at both companies, and the management team for the combined organization has been named, even as the government’s review of the deal has proceeded