FARGO, N.D. — Traditionally, advancements in the practice and professionalism of community pharmacy have come incrementally, one small step at a time. Often, minor gains have been offset by narrowly conceived restrictive barriers advocated or put in place by health care constituencies less interested in advancements in the relevance of pharmacy than in influencing and
BOSTON — As the investigation continues into the Massachusetts compounding center identified as responsible for the meningitis outbreak that, at presstime, left at least two dozen individuals dead, defenders of the longtime practice are attempting to convince the public that compounding has a history of being safe if properly conducted. Gov. Deval Patrick said he’s
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews was the first patient to get a flu shot from a Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacist as the drug chain kicked off its annual Ontario flu vaccination campaign last month. “Getting a flu shot for Ontarians will be as easy as visiting any Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacy,” Rexall
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark Corp. has appointed Dr. Alan Lotvin executive vice president of specialty pharmacy. In this role Lotvin, who is a cardiologist with extensive experience in pharmacy benefit management and specialty pharmacy, will have overall responsibility for the company’s specialty pharmacy strategy, with a focus on identifying opportunities for growth and innovation.
NEW YORK — A hearing on the proposed $7.2 billion settlement between merchants and credit card companies has been set for November 9. Retailers and others opposed to the settlement had until October 31 to file their written objections. That is less time than many expected, but a number of retail trade organizations were quick
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and several other heath care groups are continuing their efforts to block the state of California from cutting Medi-Cal reimbursement rates. In the spring of 2011 the California legislature passed and Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 97, which included a 10% reimbursement rate cut for
NEW YORK — Kerr Drug and Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy have both teamed up with mobile pharmacy solutions provider mscripts to offer their patients the ability to manage their prescriptions from a mobile phone. The mobile apps that are being offered by the chains allow smartphone users to refill a prescription by simply scanning the QR
SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs has launched a rewards program encouraging customers to pursue healthy lifestyles. The initiative is a joint venture with EveryMove, an online program that rewards people for healthy choices. Customers who sign up for the rewards program will earn rewards such as Bartell gift cards as they track healthy lifestyle activities at
NEW YORK — A recent study showing that long-term multivitamin use may lower cancer risk among men has the nation’s two largest drug chains promoting the role they can play in helping men ensure they take the right supplements. “Our pharmacists are available to discuss vitamin options with individuals and counsel them about potential side
Thrifty White Pharmacy, an 89-store Minnesota-based drug chain with stores in six prairie states, is rewriting the book on the way community pharmacy is, or could be, practiced in America. In a series of boldly conceived and flawlessly executed programs, all turning on a well-considered attempt to allow the pharmacist to consult with patients and
The walls that have demarcated areas of responsibility within the U.S. health care system are beginning to crumble, as payers, providers and patients seek better ways to ensure quality care and, at the same time, limit expenditures that are the highest in the world, consuming almost 18% of GDP. As both employers and providers, mass
