WASHINGTON — Answering criticism from opponents of the Affordable Care Act and members of his own party, President Obama announced this month that health insurance plans that were canceled because of the ACA can be renewed for another year. The cancellations, most effective on January 1, were widely denounced, partly because the president had promised
NEW YORK — With the federal government’s new health care exchange beset by technical problems, the number of health plan enrollees through the first month of operation was far below expectations. Meanwhile, the administration promises that the problems will be fixed by the end of November appear increasingly doubtful. Secretary of Health and Human Services
NEW YORK — Rite Aid Corp. is testing a new beauty concept in some of its “wellness store” locations in several markets. Dubbed Beauty Vision, the concept brings an enhanced presentation, broader product mix and more upscale offerings to the beauty department, as well as a new service associate called the Beauty Adviser. “In select
SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson Corp. has launched a new Local Marketing Support program for its Health Mart franchised stores. Executives say the program will help pharmacy owners develop new revenue streams and promote themselves as community health care providers. “Health Mart pharmacies excel at local, personalized service,” says Steve Courtman, the network’s president. “However, many
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. veteran Richard Ashworth has been appointed director of health care, health and beauty for the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland at Alliance Boots GmbH. “Richard’s two decades of health care experience, leadership and service to Walgreens in a variety of roles has been invaluable to our company as we
WASHINGTON — Health insurers will have to cover mental illness to the same degree as physical ailments as the Obama administration carries out the largest expansion of behavioral health care in a generation. The new rules halt a practice in which insurers have been able to charge higher co-payments or deductibles for mental illness and
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark Corp. has named Dr. William Shrank chief scientific officer and chief medical officer for provider innovation and analytics. Shrank will focus on developing pharmacy solutions aimed at improving quality of care while lowering costs to help health care providers deliver services to distinct patient populations. He will also oversee the
MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has added beauty concierges in 95 stores in New York and New Jersey, the San Francisco Bay area and Dallas-Fort Worth. The concierge is a brand-agnostic expert stationed to answer beauty care customers’ questions. She offers personalized, detailed and unbiased information about beauty and personal care products in what can sometimes
TAMPA, Fla. — Front-end suppliers, buyers from regional drug chains and representatives of regional drug wholesalers and grocery stores will be among those attending the Chain Drug Marketing Association’s 88th annual trade expo. The four-day event is scheduled to run January 28 through January 31 at the Tampa Convention Center. Attending buyers will have the
WASHINGTON — The Senate has moved toward passage of a bill to provide federal regulation of compounding pharmacies. Titled the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA), or H.R. 3204, the legislation was approved by the House in late September and by the Senate in a 97-1 preliminary vote on November 12. Final passage was expected
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Research from Walgreen Co. finds that HIV patients are more likely to be medication-adherent when they use one of the company’s HIV-specialized pharmacies. In two separate studies presented at the recent Cell-Lancet conference “What Will It Take to Achieve an AIDS-Free World?” in San Francisco, researchers found that patients using Walgreens HIV
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Steve Lubin is stepping down as Walgreens’ divisional vice president and general manager of marketing for non-mainland operations. He has been with the chain for 43 years. Lubin’s retirement is part of a series of executive changes at the retailer, according to sources close to the company. Lubin played a significant role
ARLINGTON, Va. — As the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Regional Chain Conference draws nearer, association executives say the event offers the industry’s small and mid-size players a vital forum to exchange ideas and find solutions to their common problems. “This is an opportune time for people to get in-depth information on topics critical
