ARLINGTON, Va. — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) should take steps to ensure that states increase dispensing fees for Medicaid drugs in conjunction with the new federal upper limits (FULs) that are anticipated in 2014, contend the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). In a
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Baroma Healthcare International LLC, an accountable care organization (ACO) in Miami-Dade County, Fla., is collaborating with Walgreen Co. to reduce hospital readmissions and drive medication adherence. Baroma has implemented Walgreens’ WellTransitions initiative, a collaborative transition-of-care program that provides ongoing follow-up and patient support during and after discharge from the hospital, to help
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is celebrating 50 years of beauty care by publishing a fall “Look Book” highlighting cosmetics, hair care and other product trends from the 1960s and today. The 52-page booklet notes that CVS was founded in 1963 as Consumer Value Stores, with a focus on value and selection. “What started as one
RICHMOND, British Columbia — London Drugs has become the first retailer in North America to offer passport photo services including biometric imaging technology. On July 1 Canada implemented a biometric passport, or ePassport, system. Biometrics is the measurement of unique physical characteristics, including facial features, in order to verify identity with a high level of
TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart has announced partnerships that it says will make it easier for its customers to shop for designer fashions or get a flu shot. The first of those partnerships has seen the drug chain team up with the Montreal-based fashion online retailer Beyond the Rack to launch a new website (shoppersdrugmart.ca/btr)
The disappearance of Kerr Drug, one of America’s elite regional drug chains, has yet to be felt. But with Walgreens closing its acquisition of the 76-store, Raleigh, N.C.-based retailer, the result is that there will be one fewer regional drug chain offering competition, color, excitement and diversity to an industry increasingly dominated by Walgreens, CVS
The halting performance of the federal health insurance exchange during its first weeks of operation dealt a harsh blow to everyone with a stake in the success of the Affordable Care Act. The Obama administration looked less than competent in the implementation of its signature domestic initiative; the uninsured and other Americans who turned to
NEW YORK — Problems have continued to plague the rollout of the health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. Millions of people have been unable to enroll in health plans through the online exchanges, while others have found they lack tools for comparing policies and determining coverage and network providers. That has been true
WASHINGTON — The Affordable Care Act emerged relatively unscathed from the bruising budget battle as Republicans in the House of Representatives buckled and a compromise proposal approved in both the Senate and House was signed by President Obama. The resolution ended a budget crisis that triggered a 16-day federal government shutdown that cost the economy
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has brought the weekly ad circular into the digital age. In leveraging the data yielded by its ExtraCare loyalty card program, the company is now delivering a personalized version, dubbed “myWeekly Ad,” geared to individual shoppers. Customers who sign up for myWeekly Ad will no longer need to browse the paper
Shortly after the arrival of Alex Gourlay to assume his duties as president of Walgreen Co.’s daily living business at the start of the month, he announced adjustments to marketing and merchandising duties designed to simplify and coordinate the retailer’s strategic direction going forward.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers have agreed that pharmacists should be considered health care providers, passing legislation earlier this month that authorizes pharmacists to provide additional services. The law, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on October 2, becomes effective on January 1. Under the law pharmacists with specialized training will be recognized as “advanced practice
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart plans to open more small stores than Supercenters in the coming year, company officials told analysts this month. That marks a first for the quintessential big-box retailer, which believes that it can wring more growth out of mature markets by taking more sales away from drug stores, dollar stores and supermarkets.
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Rexall Pharma Plus has added two seasoned executives to its management team. Mary Kelly has been named executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at the 436-unit chain, reporting directly to chief executive officer Frank Scorpiniti. Kelly comes to Rexall with 26 years of experience in both Canada and the United States.
