NEW YORK — Walgreen Co. and CVS Caremark Corp. have settled their fight over pharmacy benefits management. Walgreens will continue participating in the CVS Caremark retail network for current, new and renewed plans, the companies announced. They did not disclose the financial terms of their new contract. “We are very pleased with the outcome of
NEW YORK — The outcome of the Walgreens-CVS Caremark feud over prescription reimbursement rates was predicted by industry analysts, who said both companies had too much to lose from a protracted battle. Immediately after the drug store giants began bickering over what Walgreens labelled as CVS Caremark’s unpredictable reimbursement rates, analysts nationwide said they expected
SAN DIEGO — This year’s National Association of Chain Drug Stores Marketplace Conference featured a sold-out show floor, and many suppliers at the event said it remains an important way to connect with retail customers. “This has been a fantastic event for us,” said Markwins International vice president of marketing Eric Weeks. “We’ve had great
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — New laws in two states and a decision to reverse Medicaid reimbursement rate cuts in a third state are being hailed by community pharmacy advocates as victories for the industry. Perhaps the biggest of these victories, National Association of Chain Drug Stores executives say, is a provision in the South Carolina budget
TORONTO — Ontario pharmacies were in a state of suspense for three weeks after May 15 when the province’s minister of health and long-term care postponed a decision on the implementation of new regulations that would slash prescription drug income. Pharmacists hoped it meant the government was having second thoughts about its plans. However, they
RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug has launched a customer loyalty program that it says takes the concept into the digital age. The new Kerr Rewards program offers multiple ways customers can be given advice on health care, alerted to breaking medical news and rewarded for shopping at Kerr, executives say. “Kerr Drug has a history
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has launched Prescription Text Alerts, which notify customers via text message when their prescriptions are ready. At the same time, the drug store chain has launched an updated iPhone application and mobile site, m.walgreens.com. With the prescription text alerts, patients signing up can receive a text message from a Walgreens
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has partnered with The Skin Cancer Foundation to promote smart skin care practices and raise skin cancer awareness. The drug chain’s program, which began May 30 at nearly 4,800 Rite Aid stores across the country, includes a free 12-page skin care guide, free full-body skin cancer screenings performed by
WASHINGTON — Five pharmacy associations have called on Congress to extend the temporary increase in federal funding for medical assistance that has helped states pay their Medicaid bills. In a letter to Senate leaders, the pharmacy associations urged lawmakers to restore the $24 billion in aid that had been removed from a tax extenders bill
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is praising the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for issuing an interim final rule that allows for the electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS). Calling the DEA’s enactment of the rule “historic,” NACDS says the move marks the first time that there can be a coordinated
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, it has been said, makes friends in the spring and enemies in early summer, repairs relationships in late summer and then solidifies relationships during the winter. Well, it’s early summer. The NACDS Marketplace Conference has just ended. And retailing’s premier trade association has once again put itself in
