The Annual Meeting of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is invariably the chain drug industry’s signature event — though invariably for different reasons each year. Last year it was notable for, among other things, the final appearance of both Tom Ryan and Mary Sammons, the outgoing CEOs of CVS Caremark and Rite Aid,
NEW YORK — Opportunities for pronounced gains in market share by the top chain drug retailers are few, but several catalysts stand to propel pharmacy business, according to industry observers. “Over the past five years the market share of each pharmacy category has been relatively stable, with modest growth in the share of mass merchants
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. president and chief executive officer Greg Wasson becomes chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores at a pivotal time for the industry. The group Wasson will begin leading when he succeeds H-E-B’s Bob Loeffler as NACDS chairman at the NACDS Annual Meeting on Tuesday has pulled out all
NEW YORK — Chain drug stores have responded well to the changing marketplace over the past year and bolstered their prospects for growth in 2012, industry analysts say. “We have a constructive outlook for the drug retailers in 2012, as the companies benefit from the generics wave, specialty drug growth and front-end drivers (mobile/e-commerce growth,
PITTSBURGH — A federal judge heard arguments this month in the lawsuit seeking to stop the merger of Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc. U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon did not say when she might rule on the action by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — With the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expected to issue a final rule on Medicaid pharmacy reimbursements next year, community pharmacy advocates earlier this month weighed in on the proposal. In detailed written comments to CMS the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association outlined
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Continuing its financial recovery, Rite Aid Corp. turned in improved results for its fiscal 2012 fourth quarter and full year. In the 13-week quarter ended March 3, revenue totaled $7.1 billion, up 10.7% from the prior-year period. Same-store sales grew 3%, reflecting gains of 1.6% in the front end and 3.8%
WASHINGTON — The fate of the Obama administration’s health care reform law appears uncertain after the Supreme Court conducted three days of hearings in late March. Although the president expressed confidence after the hearings that the Court would uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, many Americans apparently have a more cynical opinion and
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. is seeking to attract new pharmacy customers by offering a $25 gift card with every transferred prescription. The offer is designed to capture new customers and educate patients on the benefits of having all their prescriptions in one pharmacy. It is being promoted on walgreens.com and in store circulars. The
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has kicked off a program of free health screenings that will run through the end of the year in multicultural communities nationwide. CVS says the program — dubbed Project Health — will provide more than $21 million worth of screenings throughout 2012. Tests will include those for diabetes, blood pressure and
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has high hopes for next year’s debut of the Total Store Expo, according to president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson. The expo will bring together what are now three separate shows in one setting in Las Vegas in August of 2013. “Our current Supply
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. pharmacists are now offering personalized Rite Care Prescription Advisor reports to show patients how well they are doing taking regularly prescribed medications. The Rite Care Prescription Advisor program is centered on patient consultations with Rite Aid pharmacists, which are intended to help the patients understand the importance of
PALM BEACH, Fla. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores board of directors was expected to approve a slate of new officers for the 2012/13 year at a session held here on April 21, the first day of the NACDS Annual Meeting. Greg Wasson, president and chief executive officer of Walgreen Co., was in
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is teaming up with Humana Pharmacy Solutions Inc. to offer employers a pharmacy benefits plan guaranteeing up to 20% off prescription costs. The new Walmart Rx Network offers self-insured employers an average of 10% savings on their annual average prescription price. At the same time Humana’s new Rx4Value formulary provides comprehensive
