CHICAGO — At presstime, Sears Holdings Corp. chairman Eddie Lampert submitted a revised bid in a last-ditch attempt to save the retailer from liquidation. The new bid, $5 billion for the retailer through his hedge fund ESL Investments, is adding about $600 million to a prior bid that should help ESL clear bars to a
MEDINA, Ohio — CVS Health has acquired Ritzman Pharmacies and has plans to close almost all of its 20 Ohio stores and transfer the prescription files. Terms were not disclosed. Ritzman’s units in Akron and Berlin will be rebranded CVS Pharmacy. The Ritzman locations in Rittman, Shreve, Sugarcreek, Wooster-Milltown, Medina-River Styx, Millersburg, Barberton, Wadsworth, Norton,
TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) recently launched its online platform for the sale of medical cannabis, providing patients with a single, trusted source for all their cannabis therapy needs. The launch brings together Canada’s current e-commerce model for medical cannabis with the expert advice and counsel from trusted health care professionals. “As trusted medication
CHICAGO — In recent years, a transforming economy and disruptive technology have converged to change the landscape of the consumer packaged goods industry. Today’s shoppers are far more sophisticated and demanding than ever, expecting a best in-store experience that includes having the shelves stocked properly so that the shoppers find the products they are looking
SAN FRANCISCO — During a presentation at the 37th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference here, CVS Health chief executive officer Larry Merlo talked about the efforts that have already taken place to integrate Aetna into its business. “While it’s only been six weeks, we are absolutely off and running,” Merlo said. He also announced that
Everyone recognizes that the high cost of health care in the U.S. is a chronic problem, the fallout from which is hurting patients, constraining providers and preventing the nation from marshalling adequate resources to address other essential needs. As noted in this space earlier this month, the Affordable Care Act, the legislation that governs the
Editor’s note: This was part of CDR’s 2019 Pharmacy Outlook in the January 7 issue. Pharmacists are medication experts. Every day, they get to see the remarkable difference innovative treatments can make in their customers’ lives. But like America’s biopharmaceutical companies, they also know those innovative medicines aren’t nearly as meaningful if they are too
CHICAGO — A new era has begun at IRI. Already a leading provider of big data, predictive analytics and insights that help clients grow their business, the company is now in an even better position to have an impact on the marketplace as a result of a new financial structure. Last month, IRI closed a
There has been significant focus and attention paid to the issue of drug prices in the last few years. As Adam Fein, president of Pembroke Consulting Inc. and chief executive officer of Drug Channels Institute, has said, “Drugs are 12% of the costs, but 90% of the conversation.” Fortunately, the spirited national conversation about drug
SEATTLE — Founded in 1890, Bartell Drugs has maintained a leading position in the greater Seattle market by staying close to local consumers and continually developing new ways of addressing their changing needs. “My grandfather instilled in us the value of customer service,” says George Bartell, chairman of the 68-store retailer. “Serving the customer is
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is continuing to transform its retail business, and one of the principal architects of the transformation is senior vice president and chief merchandising officer Joe Hartsig. In recognition of his contribution, the editors of Chain Drug Review have named Hartsig its 2018 Merchant of the Year. Hartsig, who joined Walgreens in
Drug prices are a major target of patient groups and Congress, although drug spending makes up only 10% of the $3.3 trillion spent on U.S. health care in a year. The prices for certain specialty drugs, such as sole-source cancer and immune therapy treatments, has led to perceptions that drug prices are egregious and pose
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) recently announced three global leadership appointments. Vineet Mehra will be joining WBA as global chief marketing officer. He will be based at corporate headquarters here and will report to WBA co-chief operating officers Ornella Barra and Alex Gourlay. As global CMO, Mehra will be responsible for the visioning,
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) and Verily, an Alphabet company, will be collaborating on multiple projects under a broad agreement aimed at improving health outcomes for patients with chronic conditions, while also lowering the cost of care. Walgreens will be a first-choice retail pharmacy development and commercialization partner to Verily, and the organizations
