Lupin 2024

2018

Strategy to build a new Rite Aid takes shape

Strategy to build a new Rite Aid takes shape

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. president and chief operating officer Kermit Crawford said he’s confident the company “will succeed in building the new Rite Aid” following its $4.375 billion asset sale to Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). Under the deal, announced in September, Rite Aid is selling 1,932 stores, three distribution centers and related

Good Neighbor Pharmacy empowers independents

Good Neighbor Pharmacy empowers independents

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — AmerisourceBergen Corp.’s backing, combined with the entrepreneurship of independent pharmacies, has made the company’s Good Neighbor Pharmacy network an exemplar of high-touch service, says senior vice president of community and specialty pharmacy and Good Neighbor Pharmacy president Brian Nightengale. AmerisourceBergen’s support tools and personnel enhance the inherent ability of independents to

CVS Health unveils outlook for fiscal 2018

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health executives expressed confidence in the company’s growth strategy earlier this month, and also noted that the recently passed tax overhaul packaged should boost its cash flow by an estimated $1.2 billion. The remarks came in a conference call following an announcement of CVS Health’s 2018 earnings outlook. CVS Health said

Fight against Rx abuse stepped up at Fruth

Fight against Rx abuse stepped up at Fruth

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Drug abuse, including the abuse of prescription painkillers, has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., and Fruth Pharmacy, based here, is on the front lines of the fight, says Lynne Fruth, the company’s chairman and president. Along with West Virginia, Fruth has stores in Ohio and Kentucky, all of which have

ACA enrollment remains steady

WASHINGTON — Nearly 9 million people signed up for health insurance in the Affordable Care Act’s latest open enrollment period, despite the Trump administration having cut its duration in half. The 8.8 million enrollees were only slightly fewer than the total in the last ACA open enrollment period, which, besides being longer, was much more

Regional chains don’t settle for status quo

Regional chains don’t settle for status quo

With the National Association of Chain Drug Stores gearing up for its annual NACDS Regional Chain Conference, which will run from February 4 through February 6 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., it is a good moment to appraise that segment of the community pharmacy industry. Greatly reduced in number by the consolidation wave that has repeatedly

Patients, not PBMs, should choose pharmacy

Patients, not PBMs, should choose pharmacy

WASHINGTON — In recent testimony before the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) chief executive officer B. Douglas Hoey said pharmacists can drive better health outcomes and reduce costs, but first pharmacy benefit managers’ problematic business practices must be addressed through legislative and regulatory channels. As an

H-E-B’s Martin Otto wins leadership award

H-E-B’s Martin Otto wins leadership award

SAN ANTONIO — Even the best-run, most effective organizations can benefit from occasionally reconsidering their work in a new light. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is a case in point. Long viewed as the country’s preeminent retail trade group, NACDS has in recent months broadened and deepened its already formidable commitment to the

Kevin Hourican honored as top pharmacy exec

Kevin Hourican honored as top pharmacy exec

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Kevin Hourican is a relative newcomer to community pharmacy, but that hasn’t prevented him from helping CVS Health live up to its positioning as a pharmacy innovation company. Since being named executive vice president of retail pharmacy and supply chain 18 months ago, Hourican, who was trained in economics and supply chain

Alex Gourlay named Retailer of the Year

Alex Gourlay named Retailer of the Year

DEERFIELD, Ill. — To the casual observer, the dominant story line at Walgreens might appear to be the phased acquisition of 1,932 drug stores and related assets from Rite Aid Corp., and plans for their subsequent assimilation. But, important as the deal is, it shouldn’t be allowed to obscure other compelling developments at Walgreens Boots

New tax code eliminates ACA individual mandate

New tax code eliminates ACA individual mandate

WASHINGTON — The individual mandate is no more. The requirement under the Affordable Care Act that people pay a penalty if they do not obtain health insurance was eliminated in the federal tax overhaul passed by Congress. After the Senate approved the tax reform legislation 51-48, Trump tweeted, “Terrible Individual Mandate (ObamaCare) Repealed.” He signed

Loblaw gives promotions to Motz, Leger

Loblaw gives promotions to Motz, Leger

TORONTO — Jeff Leger has been appointed president of Shoppers Drug Mart, succeeding Mike Motz, who has been promoted to chief operating officer of SDM parent Loblaw Cos. Leger had previously served as executive vice president of pharmacy and health care for both Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart stores. Prior to that, he was senior

Holiday selling season good for drug chains

Holiday selling season good for drug chains

NEW YORK — Chain drug store holiday sales bettered last year’s results, with total dollar volume rising more than 4% and same-store sales advancing 1.8%. In comparison to the 2016 holiday retail sales season, when anxiety over the new administration may have peaked, consumer confidence was up this year, propelled by income gains and the

Dimos selected to oversee Health Mart for McKesson

SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson Corp. announced two key personnel moves, including the promotion of Chris Dimos to president of retail solutions for McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical and Specialty Health. Dimos will now oversee the Health Mart pharmacy network, taking over from Steve Courtman, who left the company to join health insurer Cigna as senior vice president

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