ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has sent a letter to the governors of all 50 states urging pharmacy patient care as a top priority in any changes to health care policy in 2017 and beyond. The most recent letter continues NACDS’ pro-patient, pro-pharmacy drumbeat to federal and state government decision
VARENNES, Quebec — The Jean Coutu Group won a key ruling in a long-running legal challenge that was brought by a pharmacist-owner. Coutu announced that the Superior Court of Quebec upheld the royalty clauses in its franchise agreements. In particular, the court determined that the clauses don’t violate section 49 of the Code of Ethics
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree Inc. has tapped former Walmart executive Duncan Mac Naughton to serve as president and chief operating officer of its Family Dollar chain. Mac Naughton succeeds and will report to Gary Philbin, who has been promoted to a new role as enterprise president of Dollar Tree. Mac Naughton most recently served
After stumbling out of the gate early this month with an ill-conceived bid to hamstring the Office of Congressional Ethics (a plan that roused a chorus of critics, including President-elect Donald Trump, and was quickly withdrawn), Republicans in the House, along with their colleagues in the Senate, regained their footing and set about the business
Going into the new year, several key personnel questions await answers, foremost among them the age-old problem of determining who, in 2017, will emerge as the most influential senior staffers at America’s drug chains. The determination is made more difficult by the fact that, as of this writing, Walgreens’ acquisition of Rite Aid remains unresolved.
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
