DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. and Alliance Boots GmbH have entered into what they say is an “innovative long-term partnership” with AmerisourceBergen Corp. Executives at the three companies say the agreement reached late last month will enable them to benefit from greater scale and global opportunities. Under the terms of the deal, Walgreens and Alliance
NEW YORK — The partnership between Walgreen Co., Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen Corp. could have a dramatic impact on pharmaceutical distribution around the globe, according to analysts and others familiar with the agreement. In addition, they note, it is likely to benefit the bottom lines of all three players. One of the biggest advantages of
WASHINGTON — For the fifth consecutive year, hundreds of chain drug executives, pharmacists and pharmacy students descended on Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers about the importance of community pharmacy to the future of the nation’s health care system. The mass gathering, which saw a sea of white coats strolling through the halls of the House
TORONTO — In her first days as president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, Denise Carpenter has started to instill a renewed sense of purpose in the organization. Consistent with a strategic review completed by the CACDS board of directors last year, she has placed the emphasis squarely on
WASHINGTON — Walgreen Co. opened a pair of flagship stores within a few days in two of the East Coast’s largest cities late last month. The newest units — in Washington D.C.’s Chinatown area and in the Empire State Building in New York City — are the seventh and eighth Walgreens flagship stores. Separated into
SALT LAKE CITY — Among the giants who founded chain drug retailing in America, Sam Skaggs was unique — which is saying something, considering the range of vision and talent contained in the group of entrepreneurs who built America’s chain drug store business. Skaggs, who died last month at age 89 after battling a range
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has launched an iPad app featuring a digital pharmacy experience and 3-D virtual store. Using the app, customers can quickly access services from the pharmacy, ExtraCare rewards program, photo center and MinuteClinic, as well as browse departments. Designed to present a fun and interactive pathway to shop CVS and fill prescriptions,
TORONTO — With the prevalence of chronic diseases on the rise, Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) and Great-West Life are introducing two health support programs for the insurer’s clients. Participating SDM pharmacists will offer a support program for eligible Great-West Life plan members who are living with diabetes, as well as a comprehensive medication counseling program
ARLINGTON, Va. — Nancy-Ann DeParle, former deputy chief of staff for policy for President Obama, will be the keynote speaker at the NACDS Chain Members and Political Action Committee breakfast. The NACDS-PAC event will be held April 22 during the NACDS Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. Considered one of the nation’s leading experts on
WASHINGTON — Pharmacy advocates have endorsed House and Senate bills to expand medication therapy management (MTM) services for seniors. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) have applauded the bipartisan legislation to boost medication compliance. NACDS and NCPA commended Sens. Kay Hagan (D., N.C.) and Pat Roberts (R., Kan.)
EDMONTON, Alberta — The Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) has blasted plans by the government of Alberta to slash generic drug prices. As part of Alberta’s 2013 budget, lawmakers agreed to reduce generics prices from 35% of branded drug prices to 18% as of May 1. RxA expressed surprise that the province gave the green light
These are stunning times for chain drug retailing in America. Events are tumbling willy-nilly one atop another, with the result that the nature of the entire industry is changing as dramatically and quickly as it has ever changed. More significantly, it will never again be what it once was. Two weeks ago Walgreens and Alliance
Implementation of the major provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) occurs less than nine months from now. Although the sweeping changes, including the addition of some 30 million people to the ranks of those with health insurance, will impact every American in one way or another, there is a surprising degree
