December 9, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 12-08-2014, Opinion
Changes within the executive ranks in the chain drug industry are coming at a faster pace these days than at any time in the industry’s history. Most recently, Walgreens announced a new chief merchant, as a former Sam’s Club merchant, Linda Filler, was appointed to fill a position that was once held by Vern Brunner
December 9, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 12-08-2014, Opinion
Sweeping changes will begin to transform the pharmaceutical supply chain at the start of 2015, when the first provisions of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act take effect. The landmark legislation, which was enacted late last year, is intended to strengthen the integrity of the system that moves medications from drug manufacturers to distributors and
December 9, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 12-08-2014, Opinion
In a multipart series during 2014, our team is examining key product attributes and marketing tactics from two different perspectives — the retail buyer and the consumer/shopper. This objective picture of the two viewpoints should contribute to a product’s success at retail. In this column, we explore the ways promotion impacts buyer and shopper behavior.
December 9, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 12-08-2014, Opinion
The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010 (ACA) promised fundamental changes in the American health care environment. In turn, many in the chain pharmacy community were intrigued, if not excited, about the potential growth in prescription utilization and expansion of medication therapy management that the ACA promised to bring. Yet,
December 9, 2014 by Khalid Khan, Bob O'Meara and Chain Drug Review
A.T. Kearney, big data, Bob O’Meara, drug adherence, health and wellness, health care delivery, Khalid Khan, pharmacy retailers, retail pharmacies
Issue 12-08-2014, Opinion
Can retail pharmacies beat other players to patient intimacy? Many pharmacy retailers understand that big data can improve business operations, enabling intimate consumer engagement and thereby driving bigger baskets and more door turns, along with healthier customers and margins. They see impacts almost completely confined to the income statement. Too few grasp the strategic ability
November 24, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 11-24-2014, News
NEW YORK — Drug chains are doing their part to help people with the Affordable Care Act’s second open enrollment, even as the Supreme Court hears a new challenge that could undermine the law. The court agreed this month to rule on claims that the government should not be able to subsidize health plans for
November 24, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 11-24-2014, News
NEW YORK — As the dust settles around the results of the midterm congressional elections, the legislative outlook that emerges from analyzing the results is one that appears favorable to pharmacy even as several key supporters of the industry were defeated in their bids for reelection. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ bipartisan Political
November 24, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 11-24-2014, News
CAMP HILL, Pa. — A flurry of moves this month by Rite Aid Corp. further its growth as a retail health care company. First, Rite Aid unveiled plans to pilot walk-in HealthSpot telehealth stations in the greater Akron/Canton, Cleveland and Dayton/Springfield markets in Ohio. Robert Thompson, executive vice president of pharmacy, said the drug chain
November 24, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 11-24-2014, News
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Moving another step closer to completing its merger with Alliance Boots GmbH, Walgreen Co. has announced bond offerings in the United States and Europe totaling more than $10 billion. This month, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. — the holding company formed for the combined entity — priced an underwritten public offering of unsecured,
November 24, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 11-24-2014, News
NEW YORK — With the nation’s economy growing at a solid pace and gasoline prices declining, there is growing sentiment among economists that consumer spending is going to pick up momentum. The signs of a strengthening economy — as indicated in recent government reports — and increased consumer confidence come at an important time, with
November 24, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 11-24-2014, News
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health is bringing free health screenings to more cities in a major expansion of its Project Health wellness program. Over the next several months CVS will provide about $14 million worth of free health services to multicultural communities via more than 1,000 Project Health events at CVS/pharmacy stores in 27 markets.
November 24, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 11-24-2014, News
SAN FRANCISCO — Health Mart is hosting its second series of town hall meetings, “Pharmacy Quality Measures: Action Steps for Improvement.” The events will be held in 108 cities nationwide through early 2015. Designed to help pharmacies recognize the importance of Five-Star Quality Ratings (as established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and
November 24, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 11-24-2014, News
ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has hired Sara Rubin as manager of pharmacy care. In this position, Rubin will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of NACDS pharmacy care initiatives. She reports to Alex Adams, vice president of pharmacy programs. In addition, Rubin will provide analysis of emerging
November 24, 2014 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 11-24-2014, News
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Yale Martin, senior category director of O-T-C merchandising at Walmart, has retired after 18 years with the company. In that role, Martin led a team of buyers responsible for merchandising over-the-counter products for Walmart’s 5,000 stores in the United States. He also contributed to the launch of the 88 cents O-T-C program and