February 8, 2016 by Geoff Walden and Chain Drug Review
Affordable Care Act, AMP, AMP definition, average manufacturer price, B. Douglas Hoey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS, Federal Upper Limit, FUL, Healthcare Distribution Management Association, John Gray, Medicaid prescription reimbursements, NACDS, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, National Community Pharmacists Association, pharmacy reimbursements, Steve Anderson
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, News

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores was working with member companies at presstime to review the final rule on Medicaid prescription reimbursements. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) says the 658-page rule — which takes effect April 1 after a comment period — establishes a regulatory definition for average
February 8, 2016 by Chain Drug Review
Rite Aid, Stefano Pessina, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreens-Rite Aid merger
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, News

NEW YORK — Stefano Pessina likes what he sees after Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) finished its first full year as a unified company. WBA’s executive vice chairman and chief executive officer told shareholders at its annual meeting here that the company expects its deal to acquire Rite Aid Corp. and its partnership with Valeant Pharmaceuticals
February 8, 2016 by Scot Meyer and Chain Drug Review
Doug McMillon, Walmart, Walmart Express, Walmart Neighborhood Market
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, News

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart will close all of its Walmart Express small-format stores in the United States as part of a move to shut 269 stores worldwide. The 154 U.S. store closings also include Walmart Neighborhood Markets, 12 Walmart Supercenters, seven stores in Puerto Rico, six discount centers and four Sam’s Clubs. “The large majority
February 8, 2016 by Mark Baumgartner and Chain Drug Review
Affordable Care Act, health insurance, Medicaid, medical cost inflation, v
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, Leading Headlines, News, Pharmacy

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration continues to alter the Affordable Care Act and propose changes to Medicaid funding as it seeks to increase the number of Americans who have health insurance and slow the pace of medical cost inflation. In a nudge to get more healthy people into the insurance pool, the government increased the
February 8, 2016 by John Schultz and Chain Drug Review
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, Theranos Wellness Centers, Walgreens
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, News
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has advised Theranos Inc. that it must stop sending clinical lab tests provided through Theranos Wellness Centers at Walgreens to the Theranos lab in Newark, Calif. The drug chain also said that it is suspending Theranos Inc. laboratory testing at its Palo Alto, Calif., store in the aftermath of a
February 8, 2016 by Geoff Walden and Chain Drug Review
Dorian Lo, Jeff Leger, Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, Leading Headlines, News, Pharmacy, Retail News

TORONTO — Jeff Leger has been named executive vice president of pharmacy and health care for both Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart stores. He had been senior vice president of Loblaw pharmacy and pharmaceutical partnerships. Leger took the new role following the departure of Dr. Dorian Lo, who was executive vice president of pharmacy and
February 8, 2016 by Mark Baumgartner and Chain Drug Review
clinical affiliations, CVS Health, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, National Black Nurses Association, Troyen Brennan
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, News
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health has announced new clinical affiliations with health care providers in four states and said the partnerships will improve customers’ access to health care and improve their medication adherence. The health care providers are John Muir Health in California; University of Chicago Medical Center; Novant Health, in Winston-Salem, N.C.; and the
February 8, 2016 by John Schultz and Chain Drug Review
Kmart, Kmart Pharmacy, Kmart Pharmacy Savings Plus, Phil Keough
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, News
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has introduced Pharmacy Savings Plus, a program designed to help shoppers who are uninsured or underinsured as well as those who pay cash for some or all of their prescriptions to save on medications and other pharmacy products and services. The company, a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corp., says that
February 8, 2016 by Geoff Walden and Chain Drug Review
Joe Fresh Beauty, Kelly Jessop, Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart, Shoppers Optimum
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, News
TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) has expanded its beauty offering with the introduction of the Joe Fresh Beauty collection. The launch brings a comprehensive new lineup of seasonally relevant colors and innovative products for face, cheeks, eyes and lips, with new items to be added on a regular basis, including core and seasonal cosmetics.
February 8, 2016 by John Schultz and Chain Drug Review
Hy-Vee, Jay Marshall, Mike Agostino, Randy Edeker
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, News
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee Inc. executive vice president and chief retail officer Jay Marshall has been named chief operating officer, becoming only the fourth person in the company’s history to hold that title. Marshall will retain all responsibility for retail operations and store development and will assume responsibility for all merchandising areas in
February 8, 2016 by Brian Bossetta and Chain Drug Review
Bartell Drugs, Chain Drug Consortium, Emerson Group, George Bartell, Kinney Drugs, Lou Helfrich, Paul Margeson, Pharmacy Value Alliance, Premier Value, Richard Cognetti, Steve Rule
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, News
PARK CITY, Utah — The Chain Drug Consortium LLC (CDC) has changed its name to Pharmacy Value Alliance LLC. The new banner, the consortium said, better reflects the community pharmacy focus of its approximately one dozen regional drug chain members. The organization has also announced an agreement with the Emerson Group to manage its growing
February 8, 2016 by Chain Drug Review
Big Point Event, John Learish, Rite Aid, wellness+ with Plenti
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, News
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. is giving members of its wellness+ with Plenti rewards program a chance to get a big jump in points. Through February 27, members can earn 5,000 Plenti points when they spend up to $200 on participating products in stores or at RiteAid.com via the drug chain’s “Big Point
February 8, 2016 by Scot Meyer and Chain Drug Review
Advocate Health Care, Healthcare Clinics, Lee Sacks, Pat Carroll, Walgreens, walk-in medical clinics
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, Issues, News

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. is turning over the operation of 56 Chicagoland in-store Healthcare Clinics to Advocate Health Care, the largest health system in Illinois. Advocate will lease the space in the Walgreens stores to run the walk-in medical clinics. The clinics are set to be rebranded as Advocate Clinic at Walgreens and will
February 8, 2016 by John Schultz and Chain Drug Review
Cardinal Health, CMS Star Ratings, community pharmacies, EQuIPP, John Balch, MedSync Advantage, pharmacy performance, pharmacy preferred networks, Reach for the Stars, Steve Lawrence, The PharmaCare Network
2016, Issue 02-08-2016, News
DUBLIN, Ohio — Pharmacists can learn how to increase their business and position themselves at the forefront of preferred network access through a 31-stop town hall tour that Cardinal Heath is conducting throughout the United States. The “Reach for the Stars” town halls identify how pharmacists can contribute to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid