WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network, a public-private initiative to foster the adoption of value-based health care models. Rite Aid, Walgreens and Walmart are among the network’s more than 2,800 participants, which include payers, providers, states, consumer groups and employers. The
NEW YORK — Rite Aid Corp. has joined with a group of blue-chip companies to launch Plenti, described as the first U.S.-based coalition loyalty program. Operated by American Express, the free program will let consumers earn and redeem points for purchases at all of the participating companies, regardless of the payment method. Along with Rite
WASHINGTON — More than 350 pharmacy advocates from 44 states met with members of Congress during the seventh annual National Association of Chain Drug Stores RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill late last month. Advocates had more than 450 meetings with legislators, including 95% of the members who serve on congressional committees with jurisdiction on health
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health has promoted Josh Flum to executive vice president of pharmacy services as part of a series of organizational changes the company says are designed better align the enterprise and fuel its growth strategy. Flum, who previously served as senior vice president of retail pharmacy, will head a new enterprise product
MEMPHIS — Fred’s Inc. has bolstered its executive team with three major appointments while strengthening its specialty pharmacy presence with an acquisition. The regional discount store and pharmacy operator has named Bryan Pugh chief merchandising and marketing officer. Pugh most recently was chief merchandising officer for Walgreen Co., where he served for six years in
TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) and Great-West Life have released a report that demonstrates how pharmacist interventions in diabetes management can make a real impact and improve people’s health. The “Sustainable Solutions Report: Pharmacist Interventions in Diabetes,” released in March as part of Canada’s observance of Pharmacist Awareness Month, shows how pharmacists supported diabetes
ST. PAUL — Pharmacy benefits manager Prime Therapeutics says that its members who enrolled in public health exchanges during their first year of existence filled an average of 11.7 prescriptions, exceeding fills by commercial members by 13.6%. Public exchange members were also 2.5 times more likely to have hepatitis C or HIV, driving an almost
NEW YORK — In the wake of Target Corp.’s decision to join Walmart in raising its minimum pay rate for hourly workers, other retailers, including chain drug stores, may face pressure to do the same. The United Food and Commercial Workers International union reportedly plans to step up its efforts to organize workers at Walgreens
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. has opened its first newly built store since 2010 in Harrisburg, Pa., not far from the company’s headquarters here. The 14,500-square-foot store features the chain’s wellness store format: Customers entering the store see a wooden path that leads to the pharmacy department. As at other of the chain’s
WASHINGTON — The Patient Access to Pharmacists’ Care Coalition (PAPCC), a group of more than 25 organizations representing patients, pharmacists, pharmacies and other stakeholders, has launched an expanded media initiative to promote the role that pharmacists can play in dealing with the challenges faced by seniors in accessing health care services. The Pharmacy and Medically
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores just hosted its seventh annual RxImpact Day in Washington, a gathering of chain drug store people with the object of meeting with the nation’s lawmakers to remind them that pharmacy is a front-line health care option. And, like the six preceding RxImpact Days, it was a huge success.
The Health Care Learning and Action Network was formally launched at the White House last month. President Obama and Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell were on hand to voice their support for the project, which is intended to enlist a wide range of participants in the health care sector to help
