SAN ANTONIO — Martin Otto, the incoming chairman of the National Association for Chain Drug Stores, symbolizes the changes that have occurred both in the organization and in the chain pharmacy industry. As both chief merchant and chief financial officer for San Antonio-based H-E-B, Otto is the fourth supermarket executive to fill the chairman’s role
NEW YORK — Going forward, chain drug stores can bank on the same underlying trends that have fueled the retail pharmacy business in recent years. But the industry as they’ve known it won’t look quite the same. Retailer consolidation, changes in drug purchasing and the influx of specialty drugs are reshaping the competitive arena, industry
ARLINGTON, Va. — In the nine years since Steve Anderson became chief executive officer of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the association has become a proactive advocate for its industry and raised its influence and recognition among legislators and policy makers. By taking the long view, NACDS has helped the chain drug business
DEERFIELD, Ill. — A new study from Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. indicates that pharmacy interventions can lead to greater medication adherence and lower health care costs. The study, titled “Improving Medication Adherence and Health Care Outcomes in a Commercial Population Through a Community Pharmacy,” was published in a recent issue of Population Health Management. The
NEW YORK — Within hours of each other, the governors of California and New York recently signed bills that will eventually raise the minimum wage in their states to $15. The moves have intensified debate over the possible implications for the retail industry, which relies heavily on workers with low skills who typically receive comparatively
SYDNEY, Australia — Almost 100 years ago Australian pharmacists banded together to stop Boots the Chemist entering their market by setting up the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and successfully lobbying governments to enact laws restricting pharmacy location and ownership. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) can expect a similarly frosty reception when it tries once again
NEW YORK — Pfizer Inc. and Allergan PLC have, by mutual agreement, terminated their planned merger. Pfizer management attributed the decision to new tax rules issued by the Treasury Department that are specifically intended to make such combinations less attractive. Under the proposed merger, Pfizer would have shifted its corporate address — but not its
NEW YORK — Beth Stiller has stepped down as group vice president of global brands and sourcing at Walgreens to join Massage Envy as chief commercial officer. She will be responsible for leading services, retail, innovation and operations teams at the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based therapeutic massage and skin care service franchisor, which has more than 1,100
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Tom Coughlin, a legendary retailing executive and former vice chairman of Walmart, died April 1 at the age of 66. According to a Reuters report, Coughlin had been in the intensive care unit of a hospital for several days. Coughlin began his Walmart career in 1978 in the retailer’s security department. He
BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons Cos. has launched a major new store brand, Signature, which will be available in all 2,286 stores under all of the company’s 18 banners. The multicategory brand encompasses more than 4,000 items, ranging from coffee to juice, soup to cereal, fresh produce to fried chicken. The line also includes nonfood home
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering wellness+ with Plenti members an opportunity to accumulate thousands of Plenti points through a “Spring for Points” promotion that runs through April 23. In addition to regular weekly offers, members can earn 2,000 Plenti points — worth at least $20 in savings on future purchases — for
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health’s specialty pharmacy, CVS Specialty, has been awarded Specialty Pharmacy accreditation from URAC, a nonprofit agency that promotes health care quality through the accreditation of organizations engaged in health care services. “Receiving accreditation from URAC demonstrates our commitment to providing high-quality care to patients served by CVS Specialty,” stated Alan Lotvin,
CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold USA has hired Andrew Iacobucci as executive vice president of merchandising. With the appointment, Iacobucci will lead a team supporting the food and drug retailer’s four retail divisions — Stop & Shop New England, Stop & Shop New York Metro, Giant Landover and Giant Carlisle, which collectively operate 790 supermarkets in
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — AmerisourceBergen Corp. and the Compliant Pharmacy Alliance Cooperative (CPA) have detailed a new nine-year distribution pact for prescription drugs and over-the-counter products. AmerisourceBergen will also offer the 1,225-member pharmacy cooperative access to an array of initiatives to support pharmacists as they work toward fair reimbursement and enhanced patient outcomes. “Our members
