Wendy future of retail top

Issue 09-12-2011

Cosby seen as valuable addition for CVS

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Incoming CVS/pharmacy president Mark Cosby is a good fit with the chain, industry analysts say. Cosby, 52, who was president of stores for Macy’s Inc., will take the helm at the CVS Caremark Corp.’s retail pharmacy unit on October 1. He succeeds Larry Merlo, who led the drug store business before being

Hurricane Irene doesn’t stop NACDS Rx conference

BOSTON — Mother Nature took a shot at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy and Technology Conference here late last month, but in the end was unable to derail the premier event for leaders in the retail pharmacy business. Hurricane Irene’s progress up the East Coast during the first two days of the

Value of pharmacy is consistent message

BOSTON — Hailing community pharmacy’s unsurpassed value, industry leaders urged attendees at the NACDS Pharmacy and Technology Conference to ensure its future ­vitality. “Together, we have a powerful story to tell,” said conference chairman Debra Garza, Walgreen Co.’s divisional vice president of government and community relations. “We need to stand up. We need to tell

Strong ROI delivered by e-scripts

BOSTON — Community pharmacies are reaping the financial rewards as more physicians across the United States embrace electronic prescribing, the head of the nation’s e-prescribing network said at the NACDS Pharmacy & Technology Conference here. “E-prescribing is well beyond the tipping point,” Surescripts president and chief executive officer Harry Totonis said, noting how in three

Storm does little damage to chains

NEW YORK — Initial reports from chain drug retailers with stores in the path of Hurricane Irene indicate relatively modest damage. Cost estimates were unavailable at presstime. At CVS/pharmacy, the tally was five drug stores shuttered, including three in New Jersey, which saw widespread flooding for several days after Irene unleashed her wrath. Extensive flooding

Panel takes look at future of health care in Canada

ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland — If a consensus was discernible at the Canadian Medical Association’s (CMA) general council annual meeting here last month, it was that how health care is delivered should focus on what is best for patients, not on politics. Nevertheless, discussion on the recommendations for improving Canada’s substantially publicly funded health system, embodied

Bartell’s Littleton wins Pratt Award

BOSTON — Bartell Drugs chief operating officer Ed Littleton was the recipient of this year’s Harold W. Pratt Award at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy & Technology Conference here. Littleton has spent more than four decades in chain drug retailing, including the last 20 years with Seattle-based ­Bartell. Prior to that, he

Sabatino succeeds Green at Walgreens

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has named Thomas Sabatino Jr. as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. The 52-year-old Sabatino, who has previously been general counsel for United Airlines Inc., Schering-Plough Corp., Baxter International Inc. and American Medical International Inc., replaces Dana Green, who recently retired after 37 years with Walgreens. Executives praised

At ECRM, the focus shifts to Mitch Bowlus

The final goodbyes have been said, the last stories told. Only the memories of Charlie Bowlus linger, the memories of the personality behind the organization that charted new directions, opened new windows, explored new possibilities and developed new ways of doing business. Only the sadness lingers. And the laughter. Suddenly, the talk is all about

Retail Rx advances key parts of its agenda

The talk surrounding Hurricane Irene’s impact on the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy and Technology Conference obscures what’s important. The real news coming out of the event is that the profession appears to be on the cusp of achieving some long-sought-after goals that will raise its standing and make it a more integral

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