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2014

Pace of change makes the future less clear

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

Track-and-trace will reshape Rx supply chain

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

In brand marketing, relevance to consumer is critical

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.

Does ACA meet expectations for pharmacies?

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,

How big data will disrupt role of community pharmacy

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

Affordable Care Act moves back into spotlight

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

Pharmacy charts course in wake of midterm elections

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

Rite Aid ups the ante in health care

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

Walgreens makes big bond offer

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,

Consumers bullish as holidays near

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

Free health screening program expanded by CVS

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.

Health Mart to stress Rx quality measures

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

NACDS appoints Rx care manager

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

Martin retires from Walmart

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

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