DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is partnering with OptumRx to create a new pharmacy benefit to meet consumers’ changing prescription drug needs and help employers, health plans and their members achieve better health outcomes and greater cost savings. OptumRx is UnitedHealth Group’s freestanding pharmacy care services business, managing more than a billion prescriptions annually. Through a
ROOTSTOWN, Ohio — An answer to the commoditization of pharmacy has arrived here. “The Pharmacy of the Future,” highlighting pharmacists’ clinical knowledge and services, has been opened in northeastern Ohio by Ritzman Pharmacy. With a look that is more akin to a doctor’s office than a chain drug outlet, the location is such a departure
WASHINGTON — At a time when the American political system and legislative process are, more often than not, characterized by gridlock, and the ongoing presidential campaign is riddled with examples of what are seemingly new lows in civilized discourse and rational debate, it’s refreshing to see moments when our democracy functions properly. One day last
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health has pledged to spend $50 million over the next five years on an initiative with the ambitious goal of helping to deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation. The initiative, called “Be the First,” represents a further broadening of CVS’ reach as a health care advocate. Funded by CVS Health and
WASHINGTON — Inflation in medication costs eased last year due to spending controls and fewer new blockbusters, although there are still numerous cases of sticker shock. Spending on prescription drugs rose 5.2% in 2015, including the effects of rebates, driven by an 18% increase in specialty drugs, noted Express Scripts Holding Co. in a recent
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) announced last month that it would donate $100,000 to the CDC Foundation toward its Zika virus education and prevention campaigns. The company also said it would dedicate space inside its 120 drug stores in Puerto Rico where customers could learn about Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
TAMPA, Fla. — Benzer Pharmacy recently announced that it is introducing a franchise model that it says will revolutionize independent pharmacies. The retail pharmacy chain is inviting independents to unite under the Benzer brand. Independent pharmacies need a common identity and platform to leverage their collective strength, according to the company. “To thrive in this
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Senate has passed the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2016 (S. 483), legislation that has the support of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. The bill would advance collaboration among health and enforcement authorities to achieve drug abuse solutions that maintain patients’ legitimate access to medications.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Marcus Osborne has been named vice president of health and wellness transformation at Walmart. Osborne, who had served as vice president of health and wellness payer relations, will report to George Riedl, the company’s senior vice president of health and wellness. In his new position, Osborne will be focused on driving the
The Annual Meeting of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is once again upon us, though the calendar year hasn’t yet budged beyond April. The significance of this annual meeting has nothing to do with the calendar, however. Rather, it comes along just as retailers and suppliers begin to get the tone of the
