June 25, 2010 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-28-2010, News
NEW YORK — The outcome of the Walgreens-CVS Caremark feud over prescription reimbursement rates was predicted by industry analysts, who said both companies had too much to lose from a protracted battle. Immediately after the drug store giants began bickering over what Walgreens labelled as CVS Caremark’s unpredictable reimbursement rates, analysts nationwide said they expected
June 25, 2010 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-28-2010, News
SAN DIEGO — This year’s National Association of Chain Drug Stores Marketplace Conference featured a sold-out show floor, and many suppliers at the event said it remains an important way to connect with retail customers. “This has been a fantastic event for us,” said Markwins International vice president of marketing Eric Weeks. “We’ve had great
June 25, 2010 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-28-2010, News
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — New laws in two states and a decision to reverse Medicaid reimbursement rate cuts in a third state are being hailed by community pharmacy advocates as victories for the industry. Perhaps the biggest of these victories, National Association of Chain Drug Stores executives say, is a provision in the South Carolina budget
June 25, 2010 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-28-2010, News
TORONTO — Ontario pharmacies were in a state of suspense for three weeks after May 15 when the province’s minister of health and long-term care postponed a decision on the implementation of new regulations that would slash prescription drug income. Pharmacists hoped it meant the government was having second thoughts about its plans. However, they
June 25, 2010 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-28-2010, News
RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug has launched a customer loyalty program that it says takes the concept into the digital age. The new Kerr Rewards program offers multiple ways customers can be given advice on health care, alerted to breaking medical news and rewarded for shopping at Kerr, executives say. “Kerr Drug has a history
June 25, 2010 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-28-2010, News
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has launched Prescription Text Alerts, which notify customers via text message when their prescriptions are ready. At the same time, the drug store chain has launched an updated iPhone application and mobile site, m.walgreens.com. With the prescription text alerts, patients signing up can receive a text message from a Walgreens
June 25, 2010 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-28-2010, News
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has partnered with The Skin Cancer Foundation to promote smart skin care practices and raise skin cancer awareness. The drug chain’s program, which began May 30 at nearly 4,800 Rite Aid stores across the country, includes a free 12-page skin care guide, free full-body skin cancer screenings performed by
June 25, 2010 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-28-2010, News
WASHINGTON — Five pharmacy associations have called on Congress to extend the temporary increase in federal funding for medical assistance that has helped states pay their Medicaid bills. In a letter to Senate leaders, the pharmacy associations urged lawmakers to restore the $24 billion in aid that had been removed from a tax extenders bill
June 25, 2010 by Chain Drug Review
Issue 06-28-2010, News
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is praising the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for issuing an interim final rule that allows for the electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS). Calling the DEA’s enactment of the rule “historic,” NACDS says the move marks the first time that there can be a coordinated
June 7, 2010 by leslie
Issue 06-07-2010, News
TORONTO — Community pharmacies in Ontario construed somewhat positively the announcement on May 17 by Deb Matthews, the provincial Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, that she intended to postpone the introduction of new regulations governing pharmacy remuneration for about a month. They saw the development as possibly signaling some modifications in the specifics of
June 7, 2010 by leslie
Issue 06-07-2010, News
TORONTO — How will community pharmacy fare under the new plans for remuneration to be published in final form soon by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care? That theme dominated both formal and informal discussions among delegates to the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores held here last month.
June 7, 2010 by leslie
Issue 06-07-2010, News
NEW YORK — A successful pilot program has set the stage for CVS Caremark Corp.’s rollout of its Consumer Engagement Engine, which provides real-time clinical messaging to pharmacists. The clinical communications are integrated into normal pharmacy work flow, becoming part of the prescription filling process, CVS Caremark president and chief operating officer Larry Merlo told
June 7, 2010 by leslie
Issue 06-07-2010, News
WASHINGTON — Pharmacists are the most trusted source for medical research information, followed by patient groups and the federal government, according to a recent survey on a variety of health care issues. The poll of 1,000 adults in the United States, commissioned by Research!America and Eli Lilly and Co. and conducted by Charlton Research Co.,
June 7, 2010 by leslie
Issue 06-07-2010, News
MIAMI — Navarro Discount Pharmacies has strengthened its pharmacy leadership team by appointing Jose Alvarez as vice president of merchandising and selecting Angel Colls as director of category management. In another announcement, Navarro, the largest Hispanic-owned pharmacy chain in the country, has launched a "customer experience" program developed to save consumers time and money by