NOVI, Mich. — After 26 years as an integral part of the Chain Drug Marketing Association (CDMA) and a lifetime in the chain drug industry, Jim Devine is hanging up his cleats, though he won’t be completely out of the game. Devine stepped down January 1 as CDMA president, but he plans to remain with
ARLINGTON, Va. — In the decade since Steve Anderson became president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the organization has solidified its position as the preeminent voice for retail pharmacy and established itself as the indispensable network for interaction among those within the sector, and communication between the industry
DEERFIELD, Ill. — As president of pharmacy and retail operations at Walgreens, Richard Ashworth has helped point the chain in a new direction. The change, both at the company’s support office and in stores, has given the retailer a major boost. Measures ranging from net promoter scores to on-time prescriptions to in-stock levels are up
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As Larry Merlo sees things, health care delivery in the United States is a tale of two incompatible models, a costly, inefficient one rooted in the past, and another focused on a future of increased patient access, improved outcomes and lower costs. “At the moment, it’s as if we have two health
The January 20, 2017, inauguration of President Trump as the nation’s 45th president is certain to bring with it changes in the health care environment, which may impact pharmacy in a variety of ways. As important as the new administration, however, is the fact that a “unified” government will take over in Washington, with Republicans
NEW YORK — Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) and Rite Aid Corp. have agreed to sell 865 Rite Aid stores and related assets to Fred’s Inc. for $950 million in cash. The deal is subject to approval by the Federal Trade Commission as well as approval and completion of the pending WBA acquisition of Rite
MEMPHIS — Fred’s Inc.’s purchase of nearly 900 Rite Aid stores will accelerate the regional chain’s health care growth strategy, according to ichief executive officer Mike Bloom. “This will be a transformative event for Fred’s Pharmacy,” Bloom says. “We believe that this transaction will also create tremendous opportunities for both our new and existing front-of-store
CHICAGO — Walgreens has opened a vision care center at its Magnificent Mile store in the Wrigley Building in Chicago. The Walgreens Optical department offers comprehensive eye exams from independent, fully licensed optometrists and opticians, advanced lenses from leading companies, a full selection of variably priced frames, and clear and simple pricing. The retailer believes
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — In its ongoing effort to combat diabetes, CVS Health has introduced Transform Diabetes Care, a new program available to help the company’s pharmacy benefit management clients improve the health outcomes of their members, lower pharmacy costs through aggressive trend management and decrease medical costs by improving medication adherence, A1c control and lifestyle
WASHINGTON — Republicans want to replace the Affordable Care Act with “universal access” to health care, House GOP members said. The goal is to ensure that everyone can buy or find coverage, a House leadership aide said at a briefing organized by top Republicans. The briefing came amid growing concern about the 20 million people
WASHINGTON — Four pharmacy organizations, including the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, have asked the incoming White House administration and congressional leaders to maintain Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries’ pharmacy access. “Policies that reduce local pharmacy access lead to poorer health outcomes, ultimately resulting in increased future health care costs,” the associations wrote to President-elect
HARTFORD, Conn. — Twenty states have accused six generic drug manufacturers of price fixing. The states’ attorneys general also said their lawsuit, filed in federal court here, may be just the start of a much broader legal action. The suit charges that the drug makers, led by New Jersey-based Heritage Pharmaceuticals, conspired to artificially elevate
NEW YORK — Holiday sales at drug chains edged up slightly versus a year ago, as uncertainty over the economy left consumers wary of boosting their spending. Another crimp on sales growth was deep discounts. While retailers trimmed inventory for the holiday season to avoid having to clear out overstocks with price cuts, consumers were
KEASBEY, N.J. — Chris Lane has been promoted to executive vice president of Wakefern Food Corp. He had been senior vice president of product divisions. Lane, a 13-year Wakefern veteran and former vice president of pharmacy at Duane Reade, will guide day-to-day operations and strategy planning. “Our goal was to select an individual who would
