Lupin 2024

Issue 05-23-2011

NACDS eyes next level of success

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A “new normal” has been established at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores with a higher standard of value for chain and associate members. The standard was elevated in recent years with significant public policy victories, success in communicating the story of pharmacy and innovations in member programs and services, including

Walgreens ups access to health testing

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Daily testing for cholesterol, blood glucose and A1c levels is now available at more than 1,400 Walgreens stores in 33 states and Washington, D.C. The initiative expands the scope of preventive health care services offered by the retailer’s pharmacists. “Providing convenient, affordable access to health testing services is an important part of

Ryan takes a final bow at CVS annual meeting

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The CVS Caremark Corp. annual shareholders meeting that was held here on May 11 was notable primarily because it was Tom Ryan’s final appearance at a CVS Caremark annual shareholders meeting. As such, it was punctuated by the nostalgia and sentiment appropriate for the end of a career and an era that

SDM in good hands as it awaits permanent CEO

TORONTO — Shareholders attending Shoppers Drug Mart’s (SDM’s) annual meeting here earlier this month got to see David Williams perform capably in his new and temporary role of interim president and chief executive officer. At a board meeting the previous week, Williams had shed his role as chairman and was succeeded in that position by

Campaign targets Rx adherence

WASHINGTON — To raise awareness about the consequences of not taking medication as directed, the National Consumers League (NCL) has launched a public education campaign called Script Your Future. The medication adherence effort is being supported by donations from nearly 100 professional organizations, health care companies and government agencies, including the National Association of Chain

Navarro introduces Rx smartphone app

MIAMI — Navarro Discount Pharmacy has launched a free pharmacy mobile application for its customers. Navarro Rx App, which links mobile device users to the retailer’s new mobile website m.navarro.com, is available for cell phones and smartphones. It supports iPhone, BlackBerry and Android platforms — and soon Windows Mobile 7 devices — as well as

Medicaid on firing line in fight over reducing debt

WASHINGTON — With congressional Republicans backing away from a contentious plan to overhaul Medicare, cutbacks in the Medicaid program appear to be the new pathway in attempts to control the nation’s surging deficit. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman David Camp (R., Mich.) says the panel will not advance a Republican proposal to

Salma Hayek teams up with CVS

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Actress Salma Hayek is slated to introduce her own line of beauty care and skin care products exclusively in CVS/pharmacy locations. The line, to be called Nuance, is expected to debut in August. It will include products for hair, skin, body and face. Items in the Nuance line will carry price points

Ontario recognizes bigger role for retail pharmacy

TORONTO — Pharmacists across Ontario are hailing the provincial government’s decision to provide seniors and Ontario Drug Benefit recipients with additional access to pharmacist consultations in an attempt to ensure that medications are being used safely and effectively. “We’re pleased that the Ontario government has introduced changes that recognize some of the valuable services pharmacists

Sammons, Ryan get Fantle Award from NACDS

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Tom Ryan and Mary Sammons have received the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award. Ryan, who just retired as chairman of CVS Caremark Corp., served as president and chief executive officer of the company from 1994 until this year. He joined CVS as a pharmacy intern

Appeals court considers health care reform law

RICHMOND, Va. — A federal appellate court here has begun reviewing the decisions of two lower courts on the constitutionality of last year’s health care reform law. The three appeals court judges, who were randomly selected from the 14 members of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, are looking at

NACDS Annual Meeting reflects industry’s vitality

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores made two giant leaps forward last month, further distancing itself from every other retail trade organization in the United States. First, the association finally, and creatively, disengaged itself from the seemingly endless quandary surrounding the June scheduling of its annual Marketplace Conference. For more than a decade it

The area where independents have an edge

One of the most interesting phenomena in retail pharmacy is the continued vitality of independent drug stores. Competing in a field dominated by multibillion-dollar corporations, independents have done a remarkable job of staying afloat despite hearing, for many years running, repeated predictions of their imminent demise. Far from declining, the sector has proved resilient. Since

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