PITTSBURGH — A federal judge has dismissed most of the claims in a lawsuit seeking to block the merger of Express Scripts Inc. and Medco Health Solutions Inc. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), joined by nine pharmacy operators, filed the antitrust suit in March, four days
DENVER — These are tumultuous times for the country’s health care and political systems, conditions that raise the stakes for retail pharmacy and impel the industry to take a more proactive stance in shaping its own destiny. Speakers at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy & Technology Conference here acknowledged the challenge and
MONTREAL — The Jean Coutu Group has debuted its 400th store, located on Saint-Laurent Blvd. in Montreal’s Crémazie section. The Canadian drug chain invested $1.1 million (Canadian), to build the 11,075-square-foot prototype store, which will employ 40 people. “Maintaining our growth and keeping our position of leadership is essential,” said president and chief executive officer
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. is deploying Greenway Medical Technologies Inc.’s enhanced electronic health record (EHR) platform to more closely integrate its health care services. The technology is in more than 200 Walgreens stores, with a chainwide rollout slated to be completed by the end of next summer. The platform, WellHealth EHR, is part of
SAN FRANCISCO — Fifteen-year McKesson Corp. veteran Brian Tyler has been named the company’s executive vice president of corporate strategy and business development. He succeeds Marc Owen, who joined McKesson Specialty Health as president this year. Tyler, who most recently served as president of McKesson’s U.S. Pharmaceutical business, will report to chairman and chief executive
MEDLEY, Fla. — Navarro Discount Pharmacy has opened a fulfillment center for prescription medications under the name Navarro Health Services. Executives say that centralizing the filling of many of the thousands of prescriptions the chain handles every day will make the company’s pharmacies more efficient and allow pharmacists to spend more time with with patients.
PLYMOUTH, Minn. — Thrifty White Pharmacy has introduced the Rx Timer Cap to improve medication adherence. The patented smart cap with a built-in LCD timer fits standard prescription vials. The cap works like a stopwatch, counting up the hours and minutes since a vial was last opened to tell patients how long it has been
MINNEAPOLIS — A month after naming a new chief executive officer and amid reports it is seeking a buyer, Supervalu Inc. has revamped its management team. The supermarket retailer has given Kevin Holt an expanded role as president of Supervalu Retail. He is charged with driving overall strategy for Supervalu’s traditional retail and pharmacy divisions,
DENVER — IMS Health’s Doug Long was given the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ Harold W. Pratt Award at this year’s NACDS Pharmacy & Technology Conference. The award recognizes those whose activities have contributed to the promotion, recognition and improvement of pharmacy.Long has been involved in community pharmacy for more than 40 years, including
Colleen McCarthy Civello died last month at the age of 64. She died of cancer after what was described as a “long and courageous battle.” A memorial service to remember and celebrate Colleen’s life was held on August 24 at St. Philip’s Church in Crafton, Pa., a service that was followed by lunch at the
One of the highlights of the recent National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy & Technology Conference was the appearance of Dr. Mark McClellan, who, after serving as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, oversaw implementation of the Medicare prescription drug benefit for the Bush administration. In an intensive, hour-long presentation, McClellan, now a
