BOISE, Idaho, and MINNEAPOLIS — The parent company of Albertson’s LLC has agreed to acquire five supermarket chains from Supervalu Inc. for $3.3 billion, making Albertsons one of the top 10 U.S. pharmacy chains as measured by number of prescription counters. The buyer, AB Acquisition LLC, is an affiliate of a Cerberus Capital Management LP-led
CHICAGO — Walgreen Co.’s 2012 annual shareholders meeting will be remembered as among the most impressive in the long series, both for the accomplishments that framed the event and for the message Greg Wasson, Walgreens’ president and chief executive officer, delivered in explaining what have arguably been the most productive, if sometimes confusing, 12 months
NEW YORK — As retail pharmacy recreates itself as a first-line health care provider rather than simply a dispenser of medications, pharmacist engagement is assuming increasing importance. Indeed, pharmacist-patient interaction is nothing less than the focal point of the industry’s effort to change its business model to one that stresses counseling services and medication therapy
NEW YORK — Walk-in medical clinics located in retail pharmacies, workplaces and other venues are growing in popularity, according to a new Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll. Twenty-seven percent of all adults surveyed said they have used either walk-in retail clinics (19%) or work-based clinics (11%) to obtain medical care in the past two years, up from
PLEASANTON, Calif. — Steve Burd, longtime chairman and chief executive officer at Safeway Inc., will retire in May as he seeks additional personal time and pursues his work in health care. Burd joined Safeway as president 20 years ago and was named CEO shortly after. He is credited with establishing “a culture of thrift and
WASHINGTON — The down-to-the-wire fight over the fiscal cliff was only a prelude to upcoming budget battles. Most imminently, the need to raise the debt ceiling could foment a crisis as soon as late February. President Barack Obama says he will not let Republicans threaten to maintain the ceiling — thereby closing down the government
CAMP HILL, Pa. — As Rite Aid Corp. wraps up its 50th anniversary celebration, the company is offering customers new opportunities to save money and highlighting the role its pharmacists can play in helping people adhere to their New Year’s resolutions. Dubbed RA50, the company’s golden anniversary kicked off in September. Since then, Rite Aid
WASHINGTON — Although U.S. health care spending climbed to $2.7 trillion in 2011, as a share of the economy it remained stable for the third consecutive year, according to Obama administration figures. The rate of increase in national health care expenditures, 3.9% in 2011, was the same as in 2009 and 2010, resulting in the
WASHINGTON — States are taking steps to initiate health insurance exchanges while businesses mull over the future of their benefit offerings at the same time that some insurers are increasing rates by double digits. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said earlier this month that more states are on track to implement the
MATTHEWS, N.C. — Former CVS Caremark Corp. executive Jim Trappani has joined Family Dollar Stores Inc. as vice president of health and beauty aids. “Health and beauty aids play a growing and important role to our customer,” Family Dollar president and chief operating officer Mike Bloom says. “Jim brings nearly 30 years of experience in
The year that just ended was among the most dramatic chain drug retailing has seen, particularly if drama is measured in terms of its potential for lasting change. Viewed that way, here are seven landmark events of 2012 — and the impact they may begin to exert in 2013. • The Walgreens-Alliance Boots alliance. Walgreens’
No one can accuse Bob Miller of being afraid of a challenge. During a long and distinguished career in mass market retailing the chief executive officer of Albertson’s LLC has proven equal to any assignment that he has taken on, including at least one where few people thought anybody could succeed. Now Miller is faced
